TRIAL MATCHES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 4

TRIAL MATCHES

CRICKET

PLANS FOR NEXT SEASON SELECTION OF N.Z. TEAM Plans made for trial matches to help the New Zealand: selectors in choosing the team to tour England next year were announced last evening at the half-yearly meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council by the chairman of the management committee (Mr D. E. Wanklyn). The matter had been given very careful consideration by the committee, Mr Wanklyn said. It had been decided that in addition to the Plunket Shield series the major associations be asked to play their town-country games before Christmas. There would be a match at Hamilton or Auckland, between Possibles and Probables of the Auckland minor associations. At the same time a similar match would be played by the Wellington minor associations. In Wellington there were eight minor associations, and in Auckland only five, and the suggestion had been made that players from two of the Wellington associations should play in the Auckland game. Cn February 5,7, and 8, the North Island would play the North Island minor associations, at Wellington. At the same time, South Island would play South Island minor associations, at Christchurch. The South Island minor associations would have played a trial match at the New Year. On February 10, 11, and 12, New Zealand would play the Rest of New Zealand, at Christchurch. “It has been suggested that some of the games might be uneven, but that is a risk we will have to take,” Mr Wanklyn said. “The matches might not pay, but if, from these games, we get only one player who makes the grade and goes to England, they Will have been worth while. If no such player is found, they would still have been worth while, for minor association players would have had an opportunity of playing first-class cricket, which they might otherwise have been denied.” The recommendation from the biennial conference, that the single elimination and direct challenge system in the Hawke Cup competition be reverted to, was carried. Fijian Tour Reviewing the tour of the Fijian team, Mr Wanklyn said that the visitors had taught New Zealand a lot about some points of the game—in fielding, throwing to the wicket, and running between the wickets. He doubted if a side had ever gone through the country with such universal popularity and acclaim. The Fijians had played the game as it should be played—for the enjoyment of the players and spectators. Reports had been received from all over New Zealand in appreciation of the Fijians’ behaviour off the field. That was almost unique for a touring team. Visiting Teams Mr G. T. Weston (Taranaki) recommended that the management committee be asked to consider arranging a tour of New Zealand by a team of Australian colts, He agreed it would not be possible in the coming season. Mr Wanklyn said it would not be so difficult in the future to arrange visits from Australian sides, if jpnly for the reason that the M.C.C. was considering reducing the visits of Australia to England and England to Australia. If that came about the Australian authorities would be in a better position to consider visits to New Zealand. Dr. K. F. M. Uttley (South Canterbury) said that steps should be taken % to get the Fijians back soon. They were of even more value to minor associations than an Australian colts’ team. Fijian cricketers had suggested a tour of Fiji by a New Zealahd mirtor associations’ team, followed by another Fijian tour of New Zealand. Mr A. M. Ongley (ManawStu) said that an Australian state team would be better than a colts' team or a Fijian side. Mr Weston’s motion was lost. N.Z. TOUR OF ENGLAND

MR J. H. PHILLIPPS TO MANAGE TEAM Mr J. H. Phillipps, of Wellington, will be the manager of the New Zealand cricket team which will tour England next year. This was announced last evening at the half-annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council by the chairman of the management committee, Mr D. E. Wanklyn. Mr Wanklyn said that Mr Phillipps had been asked to manage the team, and had accepted. It was only right that such an appointment should be made early. Mr Phillipps is the immediate past president of the New Zealand Cricket Council. He was president of the council for four years, and chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Cricket Association for five years. An active cricketer in his younger days, Mr Phillipps has managed many representative teams, and has travelled through New Zealand with Australian and English sides. Mr Phillipps served in the war of 19141918, and again in the recent war, in which he attained the rank of Lieuten-ant-Colonel. He received the award of the 0.8. E. HAWKE CUP CONTEST CRITICISM OF GROUP SYSTEM After a long discussion, the biennial meeting yesterday of delegates from the associations affiliated with the New Zealand Cricket Council decided to recommend to the council that in the coming season, the single elimination and direct challenge system be* used in the Hawke Cup competition. The group system, used last season for the first time, had been unsatisfactory, said Mr A. M. Ongley (Manawatu). With all the trial matches proposed for the coming season, the group scheme would be difficult. Mr K. L. Sandford (Waikato) said that there was merit in the suggestion that the Hawke Cup be more or less put aside, and the minor associations divided into three zones. The zone winners could play off for the Hawke Cup if they wished. At present there were 21 teams, spread over 1500 miles, without finance for travelling. On the suggestion of Mr H. Duncan (Auckland), it was agreed that a sub-com-mittee consisting of Messrs Ongley, Sandford, and T. Reaney (Hawke’s Bay) bring down a report on the Hawke Cup competition by May 31, 1949. Appeals Against Light The Waikato Association had found that the trial rule covering appeals against the light had been impracticable, and it did not seem to be of any value, said Mr Sandford. If umpires had to be reminded of the rule, it was tantamount to the players retaining their right of appeal. The rule was intended to stop the constant appealing in some first-class cricket, but it was probably difficult in other cricket, said Mr J. L. Kerr (Rangitikei). The right of appeal was taken away because players in another country had abused it, said Mr Ongley. There had been no abuse of it in New Zealand, and the new rule should be abandoned. The chairman (Mr D. E. Wanklyn) said he agreed that the new rule was, not applicable to most cricket. A decision could be made when the trial ended at the close of next season.