EXILE’S RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1065, 1 September 1930, Page 13

EXILE’S RETURN

STRANGE PUNCTILIO IN CRICKET RULES CASE OF J. F. McLEAN I’ll© fact that J. F. Maclean appeared for Gloucestershire the other day, reminds one that he has been excluded from first-class cricket for nearly six seasons by a strange punctilio about qualifications (says the “Athletic News”). Maclean, a fine wicketkeeper and batsman, played for Worcestershire in 1921, 1922 and 1923, and began the season of 1924. lie claimed to play under the adjoining county rule, because he was resident in the adjoining county of Herefordshire, but suddenly, in 1924, it was discoveerd that his home was a shade nearer to Gloucestershire than 'Worcestershire. Therefore, at headquarters it was ordained that he must play for Gloucestershire, and not Worcestershire. OTHER OBJECTIONS But as Gloucestershire did not want him he was cut out of county cricket from May, 1924, until July, 1930. Alternatively he was given permission to play for a minor county, Monmouth, because his home was a mile nearer Monmouth than Worcester, but lie did not choose to play secondclass cricket. But that was at a time when a great person was objecting to Hammond for Gloucestershire, and L. G. Crawley for AVorcestershire. It was ordained that the latter must play for Durham. So he was cut out of first class cricket for several seasons, until he became qualified for Essex. The weak counties feel that the qualification stringensies are often bad for cricket as a whole, as well as for individual cricketers.