CRICKET OR NOT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 585, 17 July 1933, Page 4

CRICKET OR NOT

There will be sardonic reflection in Australia at the news that all of the captains of first class cricket counties in England, with the exception of Jairdine and Carr, have entered into a "gentleman's agreement" to outlaw body-line bowling. The use of the term "gentleman's agreement" is perhaps a little unfortunate in view of the circumstances, for after all the remarks which have been made concerning what is cricket and what is not, it ihay be taken as inferring a reflection upon the methods employed by the English captain during the M.C.C. side's tour of Australia. The defence of the Sketch, which considers that this latest decision does not imply any reflection upon either Jardine or the Marylebone club is not convincing ; there is no doubt that the decision of an overwhelming majority in first class cricket, definitely places bodyline or rather, fast leg-theory bowling, among the things that are not done. The Sketch argues that fast leg theory bowling is justifiable with an accurate

l bowler such as Larwood but is not justifiable with any fast' bowler who is not accurate. This is undeniably a weak casel Even Larwood has his inaceurate moments and it is in these that the hann is done. The trend of discussion and of experience in England since the return of the M.C.C. side has been definitely against the tactics employed by [ Jardine and it might be better | in the long run, if the fact were | franldy admitted.