REMEDY WANTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 632, 8 April 1929, Page 6

REMEDY WANTED

LTAS Auckland cricket lost all its dash and enterprise? Parnell showed up in a poor light against Grafton on Saturday, when Rowntree made a sporting declaration, and sent the red caps in to get 69 to win in three-quarters of an hour. Although there was nothing- at stake, the first two batsmen pottered about playing maiden overs; otherwise, Parnell ought to have had no difficulty in getting the runs, even with two men away. As it was, Parnell was 11 runs short when the end came. Public support has been poor at Eden Park this year, and it is no wonder, considering the stodgy brand of cricket that is served up week after week. The senior championship has been won this year by Eden, and on performances it fully merits its victory, but it might have been in the best interests of cricket had some other team won. The Eden Club’s purely negative style of play is in marked contrast to the splendid club spirit and keenness of the players, but it was apparent early in the season that Eden fully realised .the anomalies of the competition scoring system, and it exploited them to the full. Unsatisfactorily drawn games, and an almost complete lack of public interest, are two features of this season’s cricket which, call for a review of the position by the A.C.A. before next season starts.