THE INVERCARGILL CRICKET CLUB.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 79, 2 December 1864, Page 3

THE INVERCARGILL CRICKET CLUB.

TO THB EDITOB OF THB SOUTHLAND TIMES, Sib, — Many persons are lamenting the languishing state in this town of the popular game of cricket. There are many who were members of the club last season, but have not joined it tliis season for the following reasons : — An unassuming member of the club will- come on the ground at commencement of play, and after fielding for some time, he geta to the wickets. He may not be a good batsman ; and before half-a-dozen balls are given, his wicket will be down. He takes to fielding again. There are five chances to one that he does not get another innings the whole evening. Why ? Mr. Z. comes on the ground perhaps an hour after play has commenced ; not being at all bashful, the first wicket that is down after his appearance, he pulls off hi 3 coat — " Eh, let me have the bat." Probably he is a good batsman, and hemay stay at the wickets for half or three-quarters of an hour before he is stumped ; then he will fiold for a few minutes, or he will monopolise the bowling till there is another chance to get the bat, when he is not backward in making use of it. Now, I contend, this is positively unjust. The remedy I would propose i3 — That the club should elect a captain, or appoint four members of the committee to attend weekly in rotation, on the ground on practice evenings, whose duty should be — to see that every member went to the wickets in the order of arrival on the ground. Secondly, the committee should make a rule that each player should receive three or four overs, i.e., eighteen or twenty-four balls, consequently the inferior batsman would have a chance to improve his play. The result would be a large accession of members to the club, and very little envious feeling towarda any of them. — I have, etc., STUMTS. December Ist, 1864.