APOLOGY BY LAKER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 5

APOLOGY BY LAKER

Criticisms In Book

(Special Crspdt N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, November 13. J. C. Laker, the Surrey and England cricketer who lost his honorary membership of the M.C.C. and privilege* at the Oval because of certain criticisms and comments he made in his book "Over to Me.’’ has apologised. In a foreword of his new book, "The Australian Tour of 1981,” he says: “I had to employ a ghost writer and made the error of not correcting the final proofs. It was my responsibility and I do not seek to pass the buck. "The opinions expressed reflected my honest thoughts, but there are some I regret having published and many I would rather have offered in more gentle terms. “When I realised the imputations, I wrote to the M.C.C. saying that if ttiey believed I had been associated with a sensational book simply to make a lot of money I would gladly' give every penny I received to help cricket. “It would be foolish to think cricketers make fortunes from books. The average proceeds would hardly equal the money received from playing in a test series. Now I fear I shall be known as an outrageous author who bowled off-spinners instead of an off-spinner who wrote a book,” Laker wrote.

£13,047 Benefit For Statham fNXJ’A.-Reuter— Copyright) LONDON. Nov. 13 The Lancashire and England fast bowler, J. B. Statham, was presented with a £13,047 benefit cheque at a dinner at Old Trafford tonight. It is the largest benefit ever received by a bowler, beating the £12,000 to A. E. Bedser, of The record is £14,000 received by the batsman. C. Washbroak. Statham’s former Lancashire and England colleague, in 1948. The benefit was reward for Statham's 10 years’ service to county and country.