TOO MANY “OLD-STAGERS?”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 533, 10 December 1928, Page 6

TOO MANY “OLD-STAGERS?”

SUBURBAN CRICKET REPS. HAVE COLTS BEEN OVERLOOKED? “Retired Cricketer” writes: ‘‘For many years past the Suburban Cricket Association has been endeavouring to encourage the youths of this city and its suburbs to make themselves efficient in batting, bowling, fielding. The climax was reached toward the end of last season, when definite steps were taken for the engagement of G. R. Cox. the Sussex professional coach. “This association has approximately I, registered players, and the amount of money involved in the engagement of tlie coach is infinitesimal compared with the benefits which would accrue to the young players were his services utilised to the fullest Advantage. “The budget of complaints which one hears from players on the Domain certainly warrants a serious investigation. For instance, it is quite a common practice for players, well past their prime, to be seen every night in action at the coach pi'actice nets, to the detriment of the younger generation, who are present, and willing and anxious to learn. “The president of the association, I understand, is to be approached this week in connection with the selection of the representative team which has been chosen to tour to Christchurch at Christmas, but from what I heard on the pavilion on Saturday the president, Mr. J. Elliott, said he did not hold out much hope of an alteration this season. His reply was that so long as the management committee did nothing which was unconstitutional he could not use his prerogative as president to upset the present arrangements. A CANDID REVIEW “However, in view of the fact that the players are being penalised 50 per cent, in pitch fees each Satui'day to pay for the coach, and incidentally to pay for this “Christmas holiday jaunt," let us analyse this team which has been selected. Out of the 12 players chosen, at least five are over 40 years of age, one is 60 next birthday, and the coach is over 50. Surely in Auckland’s big association of youthful playei's a selector could have been found who would have given at least eleven of the most capable young players—who undoubtedly could easily be found —a chance foi' representative honours. “If these young players are being penalised each week to pay for the coach, surely the coach should be left here to coach them, and if it is necessary to take him away for a holiday, after travelling 13,000 miles to this country a few weeks ago, then I say that the youths whom he has been training -should have been given a chance. It is obvious that some of these veterans who have been selected look forward to a holiday each Christmas at the expense and to - the disadvantage of the colts. In every senior eleven playing on the Domain there are two or three very promising colts who are disappointed at not being selected. TWO MANAGERS “Then av© have the appointment of the* manager, which is going to be such a herculean task that the committee in its wisdom (or otherwise) decided to appoint two of their number to act in this capacity conjointly, and one of them is an absolute stranger to suburban cricket. Surely, as a matter of courtesy, old and respected delegates to tlx© association such as A. Stanley, G. McConnell, A. Riddell, or J. Elliott might have been given a chance of refusal?”