Pitch Dug Up In Protest

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32035, 9 July 1969, Page 19

Pitch Dug Up In Protest

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) OXFORD. Vandals dug up a large setion of the Oxford University cricket pitch on Monday in an apparent protest against a visit by a touring South African cricket team. Evading a night-guard who was patrolling with a dog after rumours that the pitch would be attacked, the vandals dug up a thin, 45-yard section between the wickets. Groundsmen worked to get the pitch ready in time for the scheduled threeday match between the University and Wilfrid Isaac’s XI tomorrow, but said the game might have to be transferred to another ground. Mr S. C Griffith, the secretary of the M.C.C., said

the vandalism was an absurd gesture and deprived people of the pleasure of watching cricket. Meanwhile, at Bristol, precautions have been taken to safeguard the Davis Cup tennis match there next week between Britain and South Afrcia. The move follows the cricket pitch incident An official of the Lawn Tennis Association said: “Naturally we don’t want to say what action we are' taking to safeguard the Davis Cup tie. The last thing we want to do is draw attention to it.” South Africa has had two walk-overs in the Davis Cup, Poland and Czechoslovakia withdrawing as a protest against Apartheid.