ONE-DAY MATCHES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 303, 4 October 1938, Page 2

ONE-DAY MATCHES

CRICKET IN ASHBURTON. DECISION OF ASSOCIATION. SEVERAL MATTERS DISCUSSED. One-day cricket will be continued in Ashburton this season, decided delegates at the annual meeting of the Ashburton meeting of the Ashburton County Cricket Association last evening. A remit forwarded by the Fairfield Club to the eeect that two-day matches should be reinstated was received, and Air R. T. Drennan, representing the club, in moving that it be adopted, said that there w r ere many reasons that the reversion should take place. All present knew the disadvantages of oneday matches, he said. The president (Mr F. Pritchard), who presided, said that the matter had been well threshed out last season. Christchurch had gone back to two-day matches after a trial season of oneday fixtures, but it seemed as if most of the clubs in the Ashburton Association were satisfied with the new rule. There was no seconder to the motion. Thirdjgrade Competition. A suggestion that a third-grade competition bo revived, was made by Mr AV. Holland. This would he a big encouragement to secondary schoolboys, he pointed out, for with only two grades in the competition there were many who did not get a chance. Air R. H. Biggar said that the rules still provided for the third grade; it had lapsed a year or two through lack of interest.

“1 certainly would be glad if it could he revived,” lie continued, “but it is up to the clubs.” If the clubs could obtain more players there was no reason why there should not be a third grade, for it had not been formally abolished.

The greatest difficulty was the provision of grounds for an extra grade, said Mr S. AT. Cassidy. “If clubs think it fit to start a third grade, the Association would bo agreeable,’’ commented the president. .It would be excellent if it were revived.” The question of. teams defaulting was mentioned by Air Cassidy. He said he hardly thought it fair that when teams defaulted on a Friday night, and on the Saturday the weather was such that no matches could be played, the default should stand until the next week. The president said that the teams had until 9 o’clock on the Saturday morning to default and there was no necessity for them to do so until then. By that time they would have a better idea, whether or not it would lie raining in the afternoon. It was quite a fair rule, he thought. Points for Outright Win. There, was a lengthy discussion on the advisability for altiering the points for wins. Mr Biggar said that at a general meeting of the committee last season, when there was not a full representation, the number of points, for an outright win had been altered from 4 to 5. “I think it was an unwise move” he said. It was a “hit of a fluke” if a team obtained an outright win in oneday cricket, he considered, and the points gained weye almost equal to the number of two wins on the first innings. Three points are allotted for this type of win. He moved that the old rule be reverted to and four points be allowed for an outright win. Air R. T. Drennan said that five points for an outright win made tor brighter cricket, as teams in the other case would be unwilling to take risks. “An exfira two points are well and truly justified,” he said. Air J. 0. Riddell supported this contention and pointed out that the last hour and a half of cricket would he brighter if the present rule was upheld. Air I. AI. Hamilton also spoke in favour of the rule and said that he would bo inclined to give six points for an outright win. “That would be something worth going for,” he -said. That five points should be given for a win by default was hardly fair, however, he continued. Three points would be ample for this. He did not think it was a “fluke” by any means if a team obtained an outright win. It was a sign of good fielding or good bowling. Air Biggar said that the increase of the number of points put too big a premium on the winning of the toss. It was almost an impossibility for a team to gain a straight. av in if it lost the toss. “It depends a lot on v the state of the wicket,” said the president. The motion was lost. Points for a Default. Air Hamilton moved that a default count only as three points, making it the same as a win on the first innings. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Reference to the work of the umpires during the last season was made by Mr Hamilton, who said that on behalf of players he wished to extend thanks to the newly-formed association which was a great boon to cricket in the County.