ENGLISH CRICKETERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 735, 7 August 1929, Page 13

ENGLISH CRICKETERS

AUCKLAND WANTS MATCHES ALTERED FOUR DAYS FOR TESTS The proposed itinerary of the English cricket team's tour in New Zealand during the coming season I held the attention of the Manage- | ment Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association for close on ! two hours at its monthly meeting last evening. THE itinerary (which was published | in yesterday's Sun) was eventually j adopted in so far as the proposed I matches at Auckland were concerned, but various changes in the Southern fixtures were recommended by the committee. The covering letter from the New Zealand Cricket Council, enclosing the itinerary, stated that the tour was estimated to cost £6,600. The council wo-uld impose a levy of £375 each on the major associations for their matches, and £375 on each of the three test matches. With the levies on the minor association matches, receipts would total £ 3,875. The team promised to be a strong one, and the council asked for the co-operation of the associations in accepting matches, so that financial arrangements could be finalised. The council would receive 75 per cent, of the gate takings on the five matches in Australia, against Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The council had cabled requesting the inclusion of Frank Woolley and K. S. Duleepsinli ji in the English team, and its request had been granted. The council stated that a general meeting of its delegates had been called for Thursday evening to discuss the decisions of the affiliated associations. FOUR-DAY TESTS? The discussion was opened by Mr. G. Jackson (North Shore), who suggested that four days instead of three should be allowed for the test matches, four days for the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch games, and three days for the Otago game. He thought that the 10 matches proposed with minor associations should be reduced to seven of two days each. He considered that a fortnight should elapse between the Auckland match and the third test match at Auckland. Mr. E. C. Beale (Eden) considered that the New Zealand Council should be given credit for the way it had worked things out. He had hacked the dates about and found it a pretty difficult task. Mr. .T. H. Watts (treasurer): “We have got to accept the matches as allocated.’’ On the motion of Mr. N. C. Snedden (Ponsonby) the Management Committee decided to accept the match against Auckland at £375. Mr. W. S. Smecton (University) : “It would be a v good idea if four days instead of three could be allowed for the test match at Auckland.” Mr. Snedden: “As the itinerary is mapped out it will prevent Canterbury and Otago from coming to Auckland during the h.oliday season as usual. The English matches and three Plunket Shield matches will be crowded into about eight weeks. This will be hard on the players.” Mr. Beale: “Having the two matches close together would make a firstclass cricket week.” The attendance at the second match would not be affected by its proximity to the llrst, owing to the calibre of the English team. “MATCHES TOO CLOSE” Mr. Snedden: There should be four days for the test' match, and only three days for the Auckland match. Mr. Snedden considered that the matches at Auckland were far too close together. In presenting an alternative itinerary, Mr. Beale considered it was absurd to ask a strong team like the Englishmen to play against ten minor associations. The matches would not do the associations any good. Teams should be made strong, and representatives from neighbouring associations should be given a chance to play against the Englishmen. Mr. Beale suggested the inclusion of North and South Island matches, North and South Island minor' association matches, and Auckland and Wellington provincial matches, instead of several minor association games. He would reduce the total number of matches from 17 to 16, and urged tint the New Zealand Cricket Council should be asked to fix dates as soon as possible for the season’s Plunket Shield matches Mr. Snedden said that the minor associations would resist very strongly any proposal to take away their matches. Mr. Smeeton supported Mr. Beale’s recommendations and moved that a night-letter telegram be dispatched to the New Zealand Cricket Council in time for its meeting on Thursday, embodying Mr. Beale’s suggestions and recommending that where possible and necessary four days be allowed for the test matches. The motion was carried. £25 FOR OTAGO Following is the text of the telegram:— This association respectfully suggests the following alterations in the ’ Englishmen’s fixtures: —Combined Nel-son-Marlborough-West Coast-Buller, at Nelson; South Island, at Timaru; South Island Minor Associations, at Invercargill; cancel Rangitikei match; ; play North Island three days. Palmerston North, January 23, 24, 25; North Island Minor Associations, at Wanganui, three days, afternoon January 27 to 29; Combined Minor Associations. at New Plymouth. January 31 and February 1; Auckland Province at Hamilton, February 4 and 5; East Coast Associations, including Southern Hawke’s Bay, at Napier. February 22 and 24; Wellington Province, at 1 Masterton, February 26 and 27. Every ; affiliated association thus has an op- * portunity of representation, and should ' assist financially. Single minor assoc- - iations are too utterly weak to oppose * the specially strong English side in- ' I vited by the council. A fourth day might be advantageously added for tesi matches where practicable. This as- * sociation accepts Auckland a.nd tesi t match on the terms offered. If the - Auckland match produces not less thar £25 profit this association desires tc increase its payment to £4OO to relieve I Otago to that extent. f AUCKLAND CRICKET ANNUAL MEETING FIXED At the meeting of the Managemen ; Committee of the Auckland Cricke Association last evening, the annua h meeting of the association was fixet s for Thursday. September 26. a Mr. D. V. Moore presided in the ab e sence of the chairman, Mr. E. L cl Nalder. d Mr. J. H. Watts reported that tin g Eden Park Board of Control had de s cided to go ahead with interior altera r tions to the members’ stand at Edei Park, as suggested by the Manage u ment Committee. Members expressei s pleasure at this move on the part o .t the Board of Control. t Messrs. Milne and Choyce. Ltd., for warded a donation of £5 5s to th k coach fund. This was accepted wit: 5. thanks.