COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 291, 8 December 1937, Page 24

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP.

REFORMS RECOMMENDED.

FEWER TEAMS AND NEW SCORING

LONDON, December 6.

Important recommendations for dealing with various problems of county cricket have been maae by the Marylebone Club's commission consisting of Messrs. W. Findlay, R. C. Palairet and R. H. Mallet, assisted by Mr. H. D. Bessemer, a financial expert. The report of the commission states that inter-«ounty cricket in the seasons 1934-36 lost £20,873 a year, the receipts from counter cricket in 1935 declined by £2000 compared with 1934, and in 1936 there was a further decrease of £1000.

The recommendations include a reduction of first-class counties from 17 to 15, which would allow of extra representative matches and permit the best players to play together in preparation for Test matches, thus raising the standard of English cricket.

The commission also recommends different championship scoring to produce more finished games. It contends that much dull play is due to bowlers rather than to batsmen. It condemns fast bowlers for bowling consistently short with only two fielders in front of the wicket and says it believes it would be beneficial if captains agreed to discourage negative bowling.

If there is no improvement it may be necessary to resort to a line or lines across the wicket beyond which bowlers will be required, under penalty, to pitch the ball. The commission suggeste that the county authorities instruct groundsmen to provide wicket conditions more equal for batsmen and bowlers without being dangerous.