Sportsman’s Notebook UNIVERSITY CRICKETERS HAD SUCCESSFUL TOUR

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28840, 10 March 1959, Page 6

Sportsman’s Notebook UNIVERSITY CRICKETERS HAD SUCCESSFUL TOUR

There is now every prospect of regular cricket tours between teams of university students in New Zealand and Australia, after the success of the tour by the New Zealand universities’ team which returned to Christchurch from Sydney on Sunday. The secretary of the New Zealand University Cricket Council (Mr A. C. Timpson) said yesterday that the Australians would be invited to tour the Dominion as soon as is convenient to them. Mr Timpson, who was a member of the touring team, said that the Australian Cricket Board Of Control had taken an interest in the progress of the tour, and that the team had been very kindly treated by the local associations when playing the university sides. Matches were played in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with the final results showing one win, one loss and three drawn matches

The most important match of the tour, said Mr Timpson had been unfortunately washed out by rain. This was the match against the combined Australian universities' side, which was to have been played in Melbourne last week. Hay was possible only on the first day, before consistent rain caused the abandonment of ,olay on the other two days. Negotiations are now in progress for the Australian universities’ team to return the visit as soon as possible. However, the position is complicated by the full schedule of matches in Australia for the next two seasons. Next season the Australian second XI will be visiting New Zealand. and in 1960-61 the West Indians will be in Australia. The Australian universities’ side has been given a match against the touring West Indians, said Mr Timpson, and It may be difficult to fit in a tour io the Dominion in that season. * * *

Tennis Umpires* Classes Although the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Umpires* Association has put more than 40 new members through their tests already this year for the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Umpires’ Association's badge, endeavours will be made to Increase this number this month. For the next three Wednesday evenings, commencing tomorrow, a further course of instruction will be held. The first two evenings will consist of lectures on the rules, and the third evening will comprise a written and oral examination. Successful candidates will then have to undergo a practical test of umpiring a match before being present-

ed with their badges. The lectures will be held in the memorial stand at Wilding Park.

* « 4 Title Bout

The Australian bantamweight champion boxer, J. Jarrett, has been offered a British Empire title bout with the Irishman, Freddie Gilroy, in Belfast. Gilroy, a 23-year-old south paw, is unbeaten in 14 professional bouts. * * * Australian Rugby Mr W. McLaughlin has been appointed coach of the Australian Rugby football team which will oppose the British Isles representatives this season. He was the only nominee for this position, and his appointment was confirmed by the Australian Rugby Union last week. Mr McLaughlin coached the Australian team for the tests against the Maoris last season, and was co-manager and coach of the team which toured New Zealand. The Australian Rugby Union has decided to seek the international board’s permission to invite the Italian

Rugby Union to send a team to Australia in 1961. The French team will also be visiting Australia m that year. Ss « St

New Running Shoe The Auckland athletics coach, Mr A. Lydiard, has designed a new track shoe which is thought to be the lightest in the world. The shoe, which is made in Auckland, was first conceived when the import restrictions threatened to limit the sales of the popular German shoe. Mr Lydiard then produced a shoe, based on the German model with some improvements of his own incorporated which weighs loz less. It is at present being tested by leading athletes, including Murray Halberg, Bill Bailey and Peter Snell, and indications are that the new shoe will be most successful. • » • Swimming Tour

Four leading Australian swimmers left Sydney by air over the weekend on a month’s tour of South Africa and Rhodesia. The swimmers were John Devltt, Terry Gathercole, lisa Konrads and Beverley Bainbridge. While on tour, the members of the team will compete in 14 carnivals.

* * rSix Records

The Sydney runner, Don Bursill, achieved the distinction of equalling a British Empire record and breaking five other records when he returned 20.9 sec in winning the 220 yards at the Australian athletic championships at Hobart last week. Bursill’s time equalled the British Empire record held jointly by T. Robinson (Bahamas) and M. Rae (New Zealand). The records which were broken in this run were: Australian open (formerly held jointly by H. McKenley and R. Morrow), Australian resident. Australian junior. Tasmanian open and Tasmanian junior. Second in this race was B. Waters, who had earlier won the 100 yards championship. * * . Tennis Commentary Mr Jim Russell, manager of the young New South Wales tennis team which toured New Zealand, considers that New Zealand enthusiasts are too critical of the promising players, and expect too much from then. Mentioning L. A. Gerrard, J. B. Souter, R. Clarke, I. Crookenden and Miss Anne Smith, he said that it seemed to be typical that the New Zealand public expected far too much from them and was too critical of their occasional defeats. “Last week Gerrard beat Geoff Pares (considered one of the most promising in Australia at the age of 17). 6-3. 6-2, 6-1. It was a good hiding. But no-one in Australia is going to say. on the strength of it, that Pares is no good and that he has no hope of being any good. We are going to put that down as part of his tennis education.”