CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22198, 15 September 1937, Page 5

CRICKET

ONEDAY GAMES IN NEW SEASON DELEGATES' DECISION BRIGHTER AND BETTER PLAY DESIRED One-day cricket is to be played in the Canterbury Cricket Association's competitions this year. A change-over from two-day matches was approved by 21 votes to 13. at the annual meetins of delegates last evening, after a fairly long discussion. In favour of the change it was argued that oneday games would brighten Canterbury cricket for both players and spectators, and would operate as a strong iniluence for the improvement of the standard of the game. Mr T. W. Reese presided over the meeting. Mr I. B. Cromb (Lancaster Park) moved the adoption of one-day cricket in place of two-day games. He said he was convinced this change would be of great benefit to the sport. Cricket in the past had been marred by bad fielding, bad running between the wickets, and much negative bowling. Oneday cricket would help to eliminate these faults by speeding-up play. The argument had been made that it would be a bad thing for young cricketers, but it would not. Rather, it would encourage them to be more enterprising and confident. One-day cricket would also promote better captaincy. The hours of play could be left to the committee in confidence. The principle of one-day cricket itself was the matter for discussion at this annual meeting. Mr P. H. T. Alpers (Old Collegians) seconded the motion. Mr W. J. V. Hamilton (Sydenham) said his club had decided to support the change. It was hoped that players would practice more and that better practice facilities would be provided. Mr R. H. North (St. Albans) said his club opposed the motion. It was felt that young players would not get sufficient match practice. There would be many players who would have very few innings, and this would tend to make them disgruntled and cause the sport to lose players.

"Desirable Experiment" Mr Alpers said he regarded one-day cricket as a most desirable experiment. In many ways it would make cricket brighter for both players and spectators. Each team, instead of having 10 chances of finding its feet, would have 21. Mr E. R. Caygill said that the Riccarton Club could not support the proposal. Four reasons were:—(l) The hours of play were not sufficient; (2) that it would discourage young players; (3) that it would develop a lower standard of play; and (4) that it would cause discontent. Mr F. P. Hill said that the West Christchurch Club was unanimously opposed to the motion. Mr S. L. Wright (East Christchurch) said his club favoured a trial of oneday cricket. Many players of note in England graduated from one-day cricket. There was nothing more likely to bring more enthusiasm into cricket than one-day matches. Mr C. H. Ayling (Sydenham) said that one-day cricket had been played successfully in Ashburton and Auckland. Mr Crornb, in reply, said he was probably the only one present at this meeting who had played one-day cricket. He could say that it was infinitely preferable to the present system in Canterbury. It had been suggested that one-day matches would do harm to the sport, but cricket was dead in Canterbury and there could be no danger of harming it further. If the new system lost players it would gain as many. Mr Reese said he did not agree that Canterbury cricket was poor, but there was a general desire to improve it. If one-day cricket promoted more practice it would be the secret of success. The motion was then carried by 21 votes to 13. "It's going to make a big difference to our game." Mr Reese said, when the voting had been taken. OFFICERS ELECTED ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION Thirty-five delegates to the Canterbury Cricket Association attended the annual meeting in the Stock Exchange rooms last evening. Mr W. L. King presided until the election of Mr T. W. Reese to the presidency in succession to Mr W. H. Winsor, whose death occurred some months ago. Moving the adoption of the annual report, a summary of which has already been published, Mr King said that this year there would be only one Plunket Shield match—agains't Otago—to be played in Christchurch. It was also likely that a "cricket week" would be held in the new season, as an outcome of a conference with sub-associations. Mr C. S. Thompson, the honorary treasurer, said that the association would have to move very carefully if it was to have sufficient liquid cash to meet this year's commitments. The financial position nevertheless was most sound. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr T. W. Reese; vice-presi-dents, Messrs C. S. Thompson and W. L. King; honorary treasurer, Mr C. S. Thompson; honorary secretary, Mr P. J. Byrne; assistant honorary secretary, referred to management committee; management committee. Messrs R. W. Coupland, C. H. Ayling, P. H. T. Alpers, C. H. Stringer, R. H. North, R. C. Burns, and J. L. Kerr; delegates to New Zealand Cricket Council, Messrs W. L. King and E. R. Caygill; honorary auditors, Messrs A. E. Byrne and T. Newburgh. In accordance with his notice of motion, Mr C. H. Ayling moved an addition to the rules, that before the beginning of matches the captains should exchange the names of their teams and that no alteration should be made to a team thereafter without the consent of the opposing captain. The motion was carried and the new rule will apply to all grades. An amendment moved on behalf of the West Christchurch Club, that it should apply to first and second grades only was defeated. SYDENHAM CLUB'S ANNUAL MEETING At the annual general meeting of the Sydenham Cricket Club, the election of officers was as follows:—Patron, Mr W. E. Munday; president. Mr C. H. Ayling; club captain, Mr W. J. V. Hamilton; deputy club captain, Mr H. L. Jamieson; hon. treasurer, Mr W. Doidge; lion, secretary, Mr S. J. Shackel; assistant hon. secretary, Mr W. Sibley; committee, Messrs A. Spicer, R. Wallburlon, F. Downie, C. Oliver, A. Sutherland, E. Gasson, jun., and 11. A. King; delegates to Canterbury Cricket Association. Messrs W. J. V. Hamilton, C. H. Ayling. C. J. Oliver, and E. A. Gasson, sen.: hon. auditor. Mr H. L. Jamieson. A resolution was carried instructing the delegates to the Canterbury Cricket Association to support the proposal to introduce one-day cricket.