CRICKET PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 18

CRICKET PROBLEM.

THE NEW SATURDAY,

HOW TO KEEP PLAYERS. N.Z. COUNCIL IS ALERT. Lack of uniformity in weekly holidays is going to be a serious problem for sports administrators in the coming summer, reports a Christchui-clr daily. It now seems fairly certain that the various sports organisations will have to cater for two classes of players—those who have a whole-holiday on Saturday and those who have only the afternoon free for their chosen sports.

Inter-club cricket competitions are, of course, one of the largest administrative undertakings in the sports world during the summer, and will be affected most by the new conditions. The latest decision of the Arbitration Court—not to exclude Saturday work for retail shop employees— will be a blow to those who have supported the cause of one-day club matches on lines similar to the organisation of the Lancashire League games. "The Canterbury Cricket Association is giving serious consideration to the position," remarked Mr. W. H. Winsor, a leading Christchurch cricket administrator. "Even if only 20 per cent of our players have the whole day holiday on Saturdays we will have to provide cricket for them; otherwise they will drift away to other sports which provide facilities for the full day's occupation. To have to face .1 half-and-half position will provide much food for thought by sports associations." Cricket associations, of course, will be affected more than the controlling bodies of other sports, for in no other game is the time factor so important. Cricke'ters need the maximum time possible for their matches, and those who each week will have a whole Saturday to fill in will be keen for extended hours. Lawn tennis players, athletes and swimmers will not be affected to the same extent, as a full afternoon is all that can comfortably be utilised for their organised competitions.

It seems likely, however, that there will be at least a fair percentage of cricketers demanding more play on Saturdays, and to cater for them it may be necessary to run subsidiary competitions, with hours of play from 10 or 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.. instead of from 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., as at present. Here again, new and difficult problems will arise. N Presumably, those playing over the longer hours will include players of all standards, and it may be very difficult to grade such subsidiary competitions satisfactorily. It is. for instance, unlikely that there would be sufficient players of senior standard to form a whole-day competition on their own. and it would certainly not be beneficial to their cricket if they had to play with men of junior, third grade or even lower standard. In the meantime, the cricket authorities in Canterbury are awaiting the final definition of the position by the Arbitration Court. Nothing can be done until the number of cricketers with Saturday mornings free is ascertained. The problem may not be so difficult after all.