CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 16

CRICKET.

The Associated Cricket Clubs of "Philadelphia have held v meeting to discuss the desirability of allowing ten balls, instead of six, to .he over.' They decided to make the change, which'will accordingly be in force this season in the Halifax. Philadelphia and Associated Clubs' Cup Competitions. The honorary secretary ot" the New Zealand Cricket Council" forwarded to Lord Plunket the results of the I'lunket Shield .luteins las; season, an,l has now received the following leiier from him: —

" Dear Mr. Raphael.—l very highly appreciate your kindly though I in writing to mc about the progress of the IMunket, Shield compeliiron. It is most interesting to mc. and J am glad that Cliristehurch have got it for a change; they had pegged away very pluckily for some season- pas] and deserve their reward. Mo>t of all I am interested in learning of ihe general interest in the match shown by the public, fo r 1 look forward to the day when New Zealanders will be as keen and successful nt cricket, as they hnve been about football. When you feel yourselves iv a position to send an eleven Home from the dominion, none will more enthusiastically welcome them than—Yours sincerely. I'lunkc-t."

On July 111. at the annual meeting of the New South Wales Cricket As-.-ociation (says a writer in the "Sydney Mail") a. presentation will be made to Victor Trumper to commemorate not only his great personal success during the past season, but his victories as cap lain of the New South Wales team, which twice defeated the South Africans, and also won Ihe Sheffield Shield. The New South Wales Association has voted iOfts toward.- purchasing a souvenir for the im-omparahle.

Trumper might well look upon the late season as the most, successful of his career. In his earlier seasons he was perhaps more brilliant will, tbe bat, but ill this he bus not only headed the test averages, but led his 'State aud his club to victory. The Gordon skipper has seven times topped the century in test matches, five times against England, and twice against South Africa. The list is as follows: — ISOO, at Lords. 135. 1002, at Manchester. 104. 1003, at Sydney. ISS. 1004, at Adelaide. 113. 1908, at Sydney. 100. 1011. at. Melbourne, I">9. 1011. at 214* The 214 not out is by no means Trum-pet-'.s biggest innings. When still in his teens lie hit up 202 tor New South Wales against. Tasmania, and followed this up with 253 against New Zealand. Then, going to England with the 1809 team, he got 300 not out. against Sussex. This stood as thr. record score for mi Australian in England until six yrarlate Armstrong compiled 303 against Somerset. Ju 1002 Trumper got 2.50 against Victoria, but it would take columns to give all his big performances. I first played against him in ISO 4. in the schools' competition, and even then his hat was as hard to get past, as a brick wall. Of all tbe. Innings I have seen him play. I liked best his lo!) at Melbourne in January last. Tknt was a cricket classic.

A London cricket critic writes of the season which has just opened in the Old Country:—"The season of 11)11 promises to prove the calm before the storm; it will be a season of English cricket in which talent will chiefly he judged with a view to the possibilities of the following year, when the triangular tournament will take place. An advance note has been sounded by the arrangement of three test trials, to be played in conjunction with the Gentlemen v. Players matches, and to take place at Sheffield, Lord's, and Old Trafford. The intention is to test the talent at disposal not only for the purposes of the home campaign of lf>l2, but for the selection of a side to visit Australia next autumn. But is it. possible to .secure a, really representative combination to tour in the Antipodes? 1 hazard a reply in the negative. Yet I welcome, the innovation of these test trials as indicating a, desire to build up a team to meet our kinsmen from Crealer Britain with improved chances of success, and to avoid the follies of 190!)." In its report on the CanterburyAuckland Plunket Shield match London "Cricket" quotes this paper: — "When Hay ward, the last man, was batting to W. Carlton. in stepping back to hit the ball he trod on his wicket. He hit the ball to T. Carlton at short leg. hard and low. Carlton making a brilliant effort to effect the catch. It was momentarily thought that Carlton had held the ball, and the umpire. Mr. Sanilo. on an appeal by one of the other fieldsmen, said 'no; out.' Boxshall drew attention to ,1,.- broken state of the wicket, and appealed tl , the other umpire. Mr. Garrard nt square lea } Ir CarraT.l took up the position that" as the umpire at the bowler's end had said 'not o„C he was not competent to give any decision, and though he stated subsequently that he knew Havward had trodden on l,i s wicket. l le had tn n- ive a not out' decision if he gave one" at all.' because the decision of 'not out'

given by the other umpire covered the whole question. As Law 47 of the 'Laws of Cricket' gives the jurisdiction for hitwicket to the square-leg umpire, it is somewhat difficult to follow Mr. Garrard's reasoning." On this point the editor of "Cricket" says:—Doubtless Mr. Garrard had in mind the working of Law 43. "... All disputes shall be determined by them, and if they disagree the actual state of things shall continue.'' Hut in the above case, the umpires might have differed concerning the validity of the catch (though there is no evidence to suggest, that they did) whilst agreeing that the batsman had trodden down his wicket in making a stroke. "The official note on Uuv 47 stales, "When the umpire at tin' bowler's wicket has given a batsman 'not out.' the other umpire ...ay answer any appeal within bis jurisdiction, subject to an observance of Law f>o."' Mr. Garrard whouhl. therefor*', have lanswered the wicket-keeper's appeal.