PROFESSIONAL AS CAPTAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 195, 7 November 1927, Page 11

PROFESSIONAL AS CAPTAIN

STRONG VIEWS STATED

CRICKETERS AT VARIANCE By Cable.—Rress Association.—Copyright LONDON, Friday. A message from Calcutta says Roy Kilner, Ley land and Dolphin, professional members of the Yorkshire team, expressed strong views on the appointment of Herbert Sutcliffe as the Yorkshire captain when they landed at Bombay. They are going to Patiala as coaches. Kilner said they were greatly surprised when the announcement was made. “Sutcliffe is not the senior professional in the team.” he said, “he is a post-war product, and has not the experience of Wilfred Rhodes, Dolphin or myself. The disappearance of the amateurs from the Yorkshire team is to be regretted. Sutcliffe himself is a batsman, and I am wondering whether he will be able to handle the bowling or not. Experienced amateurs are scarce in Yorkshire, but I think an amateur captain is to be preferred. BAD THING FOR THE GAME “All of us regret the passing of Major A. W. Lupton, who was well liked by all the professionals. If this is a sign that the amateur will begin to disappear from county cricket it will be a bad thing for cricket. The whole thing has been kept very quiet. None of us had the slightest idea that the new captain would be Sutcliffe. Whether this means that Rhodes has definitely decided to retire I do not know. There is little doubt that Lord Hawke approved of the appointment of a professional as captain, or it would not have gone through, but it is a bad day for amateur cricket in Yorkshire.” Dolphin said he regretted the fact that Yorkshire would not have an amateur captain. Leylnnd agreed with Kilner that the appointment of a professional as captain was to be deplored and confirmed the statement that the ; Yorkshiremen were absolutely ignorant of the impending appointment when they left England.—A. and N.Z.