Who Controls Cricket?

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30914, 22 November 1965, Page 18

Who Controls Cricket?

Any answers to a question posed by Mr I. M. Hamilton, who asked the board of control of the New Zealand Cricket

Council, “who will be running New Zealand cricket; the council or Rothmans?” were stopped when Mr G. C. Burgess (Auckland) moved that the meeting go into committee.

The board was discussing the proposed scheme that Rothman's would make available £5OOO for coaching.

Mr Hamilton’s question came after Mr Burgess had outlined a pilot scheme for the implementation of the =.ssistance from Rothmans in the Auckland and Waikato areas.

Mr Burgess had said that part-time coaches would be made available and paid at the rate of £1 an hour. Mr Hamilton’s question was posed after it had been asked who would be responsible for appointing head coaches. Rothman’s or the council.

Mr J. G. Leggat (chairman) intervened to say that he had no doubt that in the event of any clash the only answer was that the ultimate control of cricket lay with the council. At this stage Mr Burgess moved that the meeting go into committee and there it remained for another two hours. Discussion of radio and television coverage of cricket was also held in committee.

A request from Nelson for a match against a New Zealand Brabin XI on January 3 and 4 to replace its match against the Fijians was approved after a lengthy discussion.

Mr Leggat used his casting vote to decide in favour of Nel-s-on's application against a request by Auckland for the Brabin side to play an Auckland B team.

A move by Mr Hamilton to have a small tour by the Brabin XI which could embrace other South Island minor unions was defeated. Grant Offered

The Canterbury association's request for a grant of £260 to help in the organtation of a South Island schoolboys’ tournament was not approved. The meeting decided to defer the matter until it was known what expenses had been Incurred by Canterbury in running the tournament. Messrs J. L. Newman (Nelson) D. J. Cameron (Auckland) and R. T. Brittenden (Canter-’ burv) were reappointed judges for 'the Technos trophy competition.

In spite of opposition from Messrs K. L. Sandford. J. A. Onglev and Hamilton, the board decided to grant £2O and open a subscription list for the dependents of Ron Roberts, the well-known English crickel writer, who died recently at the age of 38. Mr Leggat said that Mr Roberts had been held in very high esteem at all level« of cricket and also had been a supporter of Nev Zealand cricket.