TIMELESS TESTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 381, 12 March 1937, Page 2

TIMELESS TESTS.

“Game Mocked to Make More Money.”

A plea for putting an end to Test matches Without a time limit is tyade in a Liter to the London “Times” by W. B. Franklin, the former Cambridge University and Buckinghamshire cricketer. “The concern of many cricketers is increasing about the continuance of timeless Tests, with their doubtiul advantage of attracting large attendances, by -which cricket is hopelessly and deliberately commercialised,” he i writes. “The disadvantages include the dkappearance of the essence of the game, namely, 'making more runs than the opponents in ia given time. Moreover, the art of making the subtle and successful declaration, and the excitement of making runagainst the- clock, have disappeared It is not even possible to make a meritorious draw. “Anyone who played in the spirit and tradition of Jessop 'and Woolley will realise 'What a -pitiful lots international cricket has sustained by this. “Timeless Tests place too great importance on the toss.', and tire-re-sult is that the side batting first on a dry wicket attempts t‘o stay as long as possible to wear down the bowlers and wear away the Wicket, which is not a real test of the game, apart from the reduction-, of enjoyment by players and spectators. “Surely English cricketers can tttk' a stand against turning cricket into a business proposition before it IS too late to rescue future matches from the creeping (paralysis of inactivity.

'“No doubt the answer from the authorities—l almost wrote ‘big bosses'- —will be that we cannot return to Tests of three or four days, and there is the answer, naked and unashamed: Cricket is being mocked to make more and more money.” Dividends Due. Milburn Lime and Cement, int., 35 p.c Mar. 10 W. R. Carpenter—int., 8 P.c. p.a Mar. 15 Electrolytic Zinc—lnt, ord. and pref., 6 p.c. Mar. 19 Apex Investment Trust, N.Z. Final, 3 p.c., making 5 p.c. for year Mar. 18 Howard Smith, Ltd. —Ord., final, p.c Mar. 23 Broken Hill North—l/6 a share Mar. 24 Broken Hill South —Quarterly, 1/- per share Mar. 24 Huddart Parker, Ltd. —final pref. 3 p.c.; ord. 4 p.c. Mar. 20 Dunlop Perdriau —Int., pref. 5 p.c., ord. 3 p.c Mar. 31 | British Tobacco —Quarterly, i 2 p.c Mar. 31 | Bank of Australasia —Final, 9 p.c. p.a Apr. 2 Howard Smith —Pref., quarterly, 1J p.c Apr. G