BRABIN CUP MATCHES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25083, 15 January 1947, Page 8

BRABIN CUP MATCHES

CONDUCT OF TOURNAMENT CRITICISED

Criticism of some aspects of the conduct of the Brabin Cup cricket tournament held recently in Cnristchurch was made by Mr J. G. Leggat at a meeting last evening of delegates to the Canterbury Cricket Association.

There were certain features of the tournament which should, Mr Leggat said, be brought before the meeting. Mr Leggat said some of them reflected very poorly on the association. On the morning of the first match in the series, between Canterbury and Otago, the teams arrived and found that no Dall was available. The game had started with a ball which most teams would not have used in a practice net. There had not been a score book available, and only one umpire was present. The team had not been selected until late in the season, and there had been no time lor practice or coaching. Some players had been lost because they had made other arrangements earlier.

The Canterbury team had gone on to the field looking “like Brown's cows,” and it had had a shoddy appearance. No uniform cap had been provided.

"Would such a thing have happened if it had been a Plunket Shield match?” Mr Leggat asked. “The answer, definitely, is ’no.’ We hear so much talk <hese days about helping the young players and promoting the game amotig the youngsters—when we see these laxities it calls for comment. Not much can be done about it now, but the association should remember these things when organising another tournament. There are a great many difficulties in organising sucn a tournament over Christmas, but these things were not the difficulties one would have expected, such as catering and accommodation. I present these remarks in the hope that they may stir the committee into some more enthusiasm on similar occasions in the future.” “Mr Leggat’s remarks have stirred meyalmost to anger,” said Mr D. A. Colville, chairman of the management committee. "If he knew the amount of work done in connexion with these games he would be surprised. I am not saying that we are not open to criticism—we welcome it if it is constructive.” The incident of the ball was unfortunate, Mr Colville said. A capable sub-commit-tee had been appointed to Ipok after the organisation of the games, but unfortunately some were away on holidays. The manager had done a magnificent job, and the fact that he had slipped in the matter of the ball was just bad luck. The last tournament had been held in 1939, and it has been difficult to pick' up the threads. The visiting managers, however, had been unanimous in praising the arrangements. The criticism of the late selection was unfair, as it was due to the late start to the season. The matter of caps had been discussed, and it has been agreed to provide them next season. He would say that the next tournament would be on a par with Plunket Shield cricket. The manager had done a great job, looking after everything "from making jellies to rolling the wicket.” Mr Leggat, replying, said that he did not place any blame on any individuals, but felt it was obvious that something was wrong. The discussion then lapsed.. COLTS’ TEAM SELECTED

The following players have been selected to represent Canterbury Colts in matches at Ashburton on January 17 and 18 and against South Canterbury at Timaru on January 20 and 21:—J. H. Parks (captain), P. Arnold, R. C. Marks, G. G. Coull (vice-captain), J. F. Collins, C. Satterthwaite, N. Falloon, R. Davey, M. B. Poore, A. Candlish, P. O’Malley, R. Hitchcock, and J. Reece.

The team will travel by special bus, and players must assemble at the N.Z.R. Road Services depot, Victoria street, at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, January 17. (Advt.)

FRIENDLY MATCH In a friendly match at Hagley oval yesterday. Veterans beat "The Press” by 36 runs. Batting first, the Veterans made 131, the best scorers being C. Goodwin 30, W. Watson 34 (retired), J. G. Mullins 37, and C. Neate 12 not out. For “The Press” N. L. Macbeth took three wickets for 2 runs, N. Archer three for 31, G. Grimmer one for 10, and A. R. Cant one for 26. “The Press” made 95 (A. Poulsen 18, H. N. Baxter 11, J. C. Mullins 19, G. Grimmer 17 not out). For the Veterans W. Randall took seven for 18, J. Wilson two for 11, and W. Watson one for 10.