Cricket Once More.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16406, 28 December 1918, Page 8

Cricket Once More.

Tho match concluded yesterday afteinoon between Canterbury ana Wellington marks the resumption of the serious cricket that was interrupted by the war. Tho game has certainly kept alivo during the past four years, but it faces tho future with its standard of play lowered almost beyond recognition. Canterbury has perhaps suffered more than any other province in this respect, and few of the players in yesterday's match would have been included in a Canterbury team of five years ago. Now that the game is being renewed under normal conditions, it behoves the cricket authorities to consider the best J ' means of raising the standard to that of which Canterbury was once so proud. The Boys' Cricket League is a step m tho right direction, but much more is capablo of being done. It ia perhaps not quite an opportune time to suggest tho employment of a professional coach, but this should certainly bo on the estimates for tho future. In the meantime a very great deal might be done to improve tho play of the younger generation. Players of a past day might, in the interests of a game they all love, spare a few hours of their leisure time in overlooking the youngsters at the nets._ In other departments of the game, too, a great improvement might be effected by a little judicious and kindly teaching. Any spectator of yesterday's play who remembered tho cricket of L. A. Cuff's day could not fail to bo impressed by th© shocking loss of runs through bad judgment :n running between wickets. Sound principles in this matter should be drummed into the players by tho captains in club matches. Another phase of ihe game that stands in need of improvement is tho fielding, and particularly th 0 roturning to the wickets. A little amateur coaching and plenty of practice would soon improve this, and there is nothing finer to watch than a clean pick up and a quick and accurate roturn to the wicket. To commend theso few points to those who have in their hands the shaping of Canterbury's future cricket. In tho meantime both sides in yesterday's match are to be congratulated on the fine contest, and tho admirable spirit in. 'which it was played. The fortunes i

of the game changed in truly cricket- | like fashion. From a disastrous first | day Canterbury made one of those recoveries that are ono of the chief charms of tho game, and at one period of yesterday's play Wellington's chance appeared to be as remote as Canterbury's had boon in the earlier stages. But the northerners, with commendable grit, came again, and won the most interesting game seen in Christchurch for many years.