Letterbox

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28210, 23 February 1957, Page 5

Letterbox

SPORTSMANSHIP What a tonic for cricket was provided at Lancaster Park on Monday. Arriving at the ground after the tea interval, I remarked to a fellow-deserter from a city office that the Australians were not likely to risk defeat by chasing 181 runs in two hours. How wrong can you be! A special tribute is due, I think, to lan Craig, for his own gallant attempt to beat the clock, but more especially for his courageous decision to play for the win. Had Australia lost this match—an outside possibility, perhaps, at any stage—Craig’s career as a captain would have ended with this tour. This was a momentous decision for a young captain: its justification in the last 10 minutes must have given Craig immense satisfaction. I hope the example will not be lost on our young cricketers.” GRATEFUL ABSENTEE. BATTING STYLE

“Benaud showed us correct back lift, and as a result he swung the bat at the ball. It was most noticeable that he was close to “bat up, left elbow up, and and bat sideways” technique. Mac Gibbon does not need a high back lift because of his height, but he was obviously the best

Canterbury batsman, because he obeyed the fundamentals. Coaches will have to advocate attack; the only true way to attack is to keep moving into the ball with the swing of the bat. Perhaps we should look at the coaches before criticising the players. Not many of them appear to appreciate the essential of a correct and full back-Iift.”—ATTACK (Ashburton). ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT Old Selector, Dunedin: All three wicketkeepers mentioned are eligible to play for New Zealand.