THE DEGENERACY OF CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1900, Page 3

THE DEGENERACY OF CRICKET.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In a recent issue your "Zamiel" bemoans the degeneracy of cricket, and attributes its decay to the short fact that it is-not presented as a palatable dish to the public. He urges demonstrations and inducements for financial aid and public interest. But the true reason of the degeneracy of cricket in New Zealand is that- it is not palatable to the players, and from a very patent cause. There is no one to coach, there are no teachers—we have no professionals—and the young Johnnie who has paid his sub. with bursting enthusiasm finds at the end of six months that he knows little or no more than he did the day he started. The first ball bowls him out, and as .he sorrowfully returns to Jemima, who has come down to witness his triumph, he ponders on the fact that he fielded for four hours and batted for one second. This violent "hors-de-combat"'reflection scatters his enthusiasm. No wonder! One only loves what one can do well, and disgust takes the place of love when no progress is made. Given eye, nerve, and practice—"and a coach"—anyone can easily learn "to judge the ball." Without the coach the game remains to a large extent unlearned. The glory of cricket, even as of Euclid, lies in its training of the mind in calculation arid precision. To time a ball, to judge its length, direction and pace, and to apply the bo:dy to such splendid decisive movements necessary—that is all that lies in batting, and it is a supreme mind discipline. England and Australia are frill of experts who teach' the movements necessary for fine , strokes. New Zealand has no "coaches." —I am, etc.,

ORICKETEK.