Cricket Assn. May Withdraw

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 16

Cricket Assn. May Withdraw

South Canterbury will probably withdraw from the Canterbury Cricket Association’s Minor Associations Cup competiiton. The annual meeting of delegates to the Canterbury minor and sub-associa-tions were told this last evening by a South Canterbury delegate, Mr R. Carter, who said his association found the cost, and number of representative matches it already has, prohibitive.

The other four minor associations favoured the continuation of the scheme, which has been on trial two years, whereby all the associations meet each other. Messrs I. M. Hamilton, F. Holloway (Ashburton) and A F. Wright (North Canterbury) thought the competition would lose a lot of its meaning if one of the minor associations should withdraw. Mr Carter said he had his instructions from the South Canterbury association and was told either to suggest reversion to the elimination system for the cup or South Canterbury would have to withdraw. A motion, that the competition continue on its present lines and that South Canterbury be earnestly requested to reconsider its decision, was carried, but a motion, recommending to the C.C.A. that the suburban subassociation be invited to join the competition should South Canterbury withdraw, was

lost. This motion, proposed by Mr R. Donaldson (West Coast), was described by Mr Wright as giving South Canterbury "ammunition” to withdraw. Trials Criticised The system of trials, particularly with regard to country players, was given a verv thorough airing. The chairman of the C.C.A. management committee (Mr A. E. L. Britton) said he was against all trials. “Last season we had the case of Bruce Taylor missing out in the Canterbury team because of one bad day in the trial here.” Discussing Brabin trials, Mr Holloway criticised the choice of captain in at least one instance. The player, he said, received the position because he had played for the Canterbury Brabin side, “and he did not care two hoots for the players from the other minor associations.” Mr Holloway also said that prospective Brabin players were not seen often enough by the selectors but Mr Wright said the view in North Canterbury was that if the player was up to Brabin standard, be was good enough for the associations’ senior represent itive side.

It was finally decided that a trial of 22 players, in teams of approximately equal strength, should be held. When the meeting discussed senior trials, Mr Hamilton said he did not agree with

Mr Britton that they were so useless.

"A player should not be judged on a trial but he can benefit from it. I can’t understand why Bruce Taylor was held in the background so long: his potential was well known. John Ward was given his chance out of the blue: he was played because the New Zealand selectors were calling for young players and he took his chance well.”

Mr Carter agreed with Mr Britton about trials and said he would prefer the Canterbury selector to come down to see South Canterbury playing at Timaru.

Mr Hamilton: A player can be good in his own back yard but his class is proved when he takes a step up. Mr Hamilton then suggested a two-day trial, again between teams of approximately equal strength, be played on Lancaster Park and his resultant motion was carried, 6—5. Permanent Coach The chairman (Mr R. C. Saunders) told the meeting that the management committee was investigating the possibilities of a coach, permanently settled in Canterbury. It envisaged a person who would be immigrating to New Zealand. All of the associations indicated they would be prepared to "hire” the coach on the same basis as was used for P. B. Wight, the minor associations meeting costs while the coach was in its area.