BOWLER'S RIGHTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18549, 26 November 1925, Page 9

BOWLER'S RIGHTS.

AIDS IN SECURING "SPIN."

ENGLISH CRICKET CONTROVERSY. BT CABLE— FRSIS ASSOCIATION -corTAIGKT.) ■.Stbkei "Sus" Service.) IjONDON, November -4. It is st-aie.l that the Maryiehono Cricket Club has discussed the question of the seam-picking of the ball by » bowler, following a condemnatory letter from L-ord Harris, and decided to instruct captains of county clubs to desist, •I. W. H. T. ]>ouglas declares that a mountain is being made out of a molehill. He does not mind what a bowler does so Jong as lie does not, damage the ball. The bowler needs a thoroughly clean ball. Why should he not use resin or sawdust, if helpful? Umpires should decide the fairness or otherwise of methods. A. E. 11. Gilligan declares that lie dues not altogctlKT favour resin, but admits that there is a lot to be said on both sides. Mailey always bowled fairly. Ho was not. aware that seampicking occurred on the Australian tour, and, anyway, it did not hdp Mailey in the slightest. The "Daily Telegraph," discussing A. A. Mailey's advocacy of the using of resin and tho raising of seams on the ball in bowling, says: -'We are grateful to Mailey for expounding his theory regarding a bowler's rights before the reason begins. Our players, captains, umpires, and legislators now know the claims they must expect. Tho practices of using rosin and raisin<r tho seams have been condemned by English, cricketers of authority, but Mailey is aj)le to 6how that there is a precedent or analogy for everything he wants to do. Nevertheless, no game can be pleasantly conducted by formal legality. Many things may be lawful which are inexpedient, and argument, from sawdust to resin, is liable to abuse in a game which is better without the da,nger of such devices. It is most important that beforo the Australians begjn the tour a clear, friendly agreement should be made regarding the bowler's rights over the ball."