CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21908, 8 October 1936, Page 16

CRICKET

TO THE EDITOB OF THE PRESS. •Sir—l often find myself getting into the bad habit of writing of things as I find them, so, for a change, I will try cricket. I quite agree with your correspondent, “5.F.H.,” in anything he says or may say while trying to get Peter Trolove out Ibw. My knowledge of the game dates back to the time when I used my shins to stop the ball, and one has to be very young for that. Since then there have been some long breaks in my cricket career, so when a friend invited me. last Christmas, to put in a couple of hours watching the big match at Lancaster Park, I gladly availed myself of the chance, which enabled me to get an insight into cricket as played to-day. Before the memory of that day passes away altogether, I will pass some of my knowledge on to your readers. What struck me first was the thoughtful care bestowed on the umpires, each one being provided with a long, white coat, which he kept well buttoned up. One of them, however, kept rubbing his hands, although the air was not particularly chilly that Christmas. It was not the cold either which made one of the English players buck and prance at his end of the wicket. By the way the crowd were shouting “‘Whoa, there!” and “Go it, Dobbin!” 1 thought he must be what they call a colt, but my friend assured me that he was a fast bowler. Some critics remarked that the Canterbury fieldsmen showed great alertness in keeping out of the way of the ball, but small blame to them the way it was behaving. One poor chap, however, was not as fortunate as his mates, and the ball caught him badly in the hands. The crowd was most sympathetic, and cheered him loudly to hearten him up. Unluckily the ball caught him again shortly afterwards, in the same place, but even then they did not lose patience, but cheered more loudly than ever, which struck me as being very sportsmanlike. I am sorry I cannot remember more of this match for I fear there is not enough here to put Peter Trolove out. —Yours, etc., m 4 T AS. October 7, 1936. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —With reference to Peter Trolove’s onslaught on the good old game of cricket, may I be allowed space to reply. First, who is this Pel .r Trolove who considers that he is in a position to advise the youth of Canterbury about their future sport? Second, does he mean to slight his countrymen when he states that, because the "brainy

Yankees" prefer baseball to cricket, we are idiots not to drop the latter game also? Third, because our King is unable to devote set days to cricket and therefore participates in games which may be played as his leisure occurs, does Peter Trolove think that our Sovereign condemns cricket? May I advise Peter Trolove that, because he may have been unable to meet with success at cricket in his youth, he should iot now endeavour to kill time by minding other people’s business,— Yours, etc. CRICKET ENTHUSIAST. October 7, 1936.