“True Blue" Amateurism Outdated In World Cricket

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30879, 12 October 1965, Page 23

“True Blue" Amateurism Outdated In World Cricket

New Zealand cricket is rather like a marathon pianist with more merit in his persistence than in the quality of his performance: the melody becomes monotonous, the audience tends to disperse, but he is not unduly discouraged. The game is certainly out of tune at the moment, but that is nothing new. In 36 years of test cricket, and 76 matches, New Zealand has won only three games, and lost 39.

Yet it is becoming increasingly apparent that New Zealand has a difficult time ahead if it is to stay in international cricket. There have been crises before, and failures such as those suffered by the team which this year went through India, Pakistan and Britain were not unknown. The unhappy fact of the matter is, however, that New Zealand, the only remaining truly amateur cricket country, can hardly hope to foot it with opponents who are semior fully professional. That would not matter to the game in this country very much, as long as New Zealand teams are not regularly overwhelmed by other test teams. A foot must be kept in the international door if the game is to be given regular injections by the appearance of the best overseas players. The M.C.C. has shown New Zealand cricket remarkable consideration and kindness, but the murmuring against M.C.C. teams lengthening their Australian tours by coming on to New Zealand are becoming louder. Good per-

formances by New Zealand would at least help to hush them. New Zealand cricket's outlook, and the attitude of its players, suffers from the fact that this is a small country. Cricket in England now is almost fully professional, at the top level. The West Indies test team consists largely of full-time players who appear in the

English leagues between test series. In Australia, top players usually find well-paid positions and are encouraged to stay in the game. India and Pakistan players can be classed as professionals

South Africa, it might be

thought, offers a fair comparison with New Zealand. Its cricketing population—or that from which its teams are chosen—is of about the same size as New Zealand’s. Its cricketers, by and large, play at week-ends as New Zealanders do. Yet South Africa can produce more outstanding players than New Zealand. The answer to this may well be that European South Africa is wealthier than New Zealand. In many instances, the South African cricketer resembles the English amateur of days now distant. There are far more South Africans who can concentrate on cricket, without harbouring dark thoughts about the problems of obtaining leave, than there are New Zealanders. And South African cricket has some wealthy sponsors; the quality of grounds and facilities, the availability of players, are a reflection of solid financial support. New Zealand cricket has a far harder row to hoe. Here a semi - professional cricket establishment simply can not be supported. A large proportion of those playing cricket today are young men who have to work or study

diligently to progress. The white-collar worker finds it harder to afford time away from work. Proficiency at cricket can not be attained through turning out on a Saturday and acceding to the regular demand to hit the bail hard and often. With the need for regular practice, and first-class matches taking up four or five days, with travelling time, there are fewer who can find the time needed. Yet if New Zealand is to win better standing, just such devotion to the game will be needed. At present New Zealand loses far too many cricketers too early. The story of cricket holds many instances of infant prodigies, but they would be outnumbered by those who have found their full stature only with maturity. New Zealand needs to find a way to hold more of its players when they are of their greatest value. It will not be easy.

-By-

R. T. Brittenden

[This is the first of four articles on the state of New Zealand cricket at the start of a new season by the Sports Editor of “The Press,” who as the NZPA Special Correspondent, reported the recent tour of India, Pakistan and Britain. The second will appear tomorrow 1