M.C.C. “BLUFF” ON GRIFFIN

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29245, 1 July 1960, Page 13

M.C.C. “BLUFF” ON GRIFFIN

Australian Tour . Effect (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, June 30. ‘‘Don’t fall for their bluffing,” the “Melbourne Herald” cricket •writer, John Priestley, said in a story today which discusses the South African decision not to bowl G. Griffin on the remainder of the English tour. Priestley said: “Griffin’s career has been sacrified and the South African. association humiliated with just one end in view—to try to bluff Australia into toeing the line and not send I. Meckiff to England next year.” He wondered whether the-lead-ing officials of English cricket were pleased with forcing Griffin out of cricket for the tour and probably ending his career. The South African Cricket Association had been placed in an impossible position. On Sunday, July 3, the chairman of the Australian Board of Cricket Control, Mr W. J. Dowling, and Sir Donald Bradman, leave for England to attend the Imperial Cricket Conference. Priestley said: “They are two strong men, which is as well, because they must not yield an inch of Australia’s position regarding Meckiff. Neither believes Meckiff throws the ball.”

Priestley said the English campaign against Griffin had been blatantly “hypocritical.”

“Supported by the less responsible cricket writers, the M.C.C., through its umpires, has thrown Griffin to the wolves to clear the way for similar action against Meckiff,” he said.