£120,000 In Profits From Australian Cricket Tour

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 22

£120,000 In Profits From Australian Cricket Tour

(N2J 1 A.-Reuitr—Copyright)

LONDON, Nov. 15 A sum of £ 120.000 from the profits of the five test matches between England and Australia last summer was dis. tr.buted when the Cricket Board of Control met at Lord’s today. The M.C.C. WarwickshireLancashire, Yorkshire, Surrey and Nottinghamshire, which in turn staged tests, each received £9356. The other 12 first-class counties each received £3803. Oxford and Cambridge Universities £2OOO each, the minor counties £689 each, •nd Combined Services, £250. On top of this, the 17 firstciass counties received £45.000 from television fees, •bout £2650 each. Tempo Of Cricket The tempo of cricket once snore came under fire. While tile scoring rate per 100 balls improved slightly, end more overr were bowled, it was felt that the appeals to captains and players had met with only limited success. Except in a very few cases, there were no signs that pitches were any faster, though many were certainly better. Among the centres mentioned for faster pitches were Worcester, Northampton. Leicester, Scarborough and Trent Bridge. It was decided to continue

all the experimental rules next season. Statisticians say that the abolition of the follow-on last season was responsible for 52.000 more balls being bowled, representing 72 days’ more cricket. Pitch Below Standard Yorkshire county was “well aware” that the pitch for the Leeds test match was not up to the standard required for a five-day test, its representatives said. They assured the board that the Yorkshire County Cricket Club would do all in its power to ensure that future test pitches were of the required rtandard. The Yorkshire representatives on the board are the club’s president. Sir William Worsdey. a former captain. Brian Sellers, and the secretary. Mr J. Naeb. Tbe pitch at the Headingley Ground, in Leeds was much criticised both before and after Australia lost the third test in less than three days. It was the only test match lost by the Australian team on its tout of England, and was also its only loss. Not Open To Papers The Board of Control meeting is not open to the newspapers, but a news conference is held afterwards. There was therefore no report of any actual discussion on the pitch.

Many matters were discussed by the board and also by the Advisory County Cricket Committee.