Test series with Aust, probable in 1973-74

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32443, 2 November 1970, Page 26

Test series with Aust, probable in 1973-74

A test series with Australia in three years, possible tours of the West Indies and India, and another tour by Pakistan: this is the diet facing New Zealand cricketers in the early seventies.

These were the highlights announced by the chairman (Mr J. G. Leggat) after the Cricket Council’s board of control had discussed tours in committee at the week-end. The matter of next year’s South African tour of New Zealand was still “unresolved,” said Mr Leggat “As an invitation has been received from the West Indies, it has been decided to consider the possibility of a joint tour of the West Indies and possibly India should the South African tour not proceed,” he added. TWO-WAY TOUR Australia had agreed in principle to a test series, partly in New Zealand and partly in Australia, in 1973-74, Mr Leggat also reported. The board is discussing venues, the duration and terms with the Australian board.

A Pakistan tour is less certain, Mr Leggat said. Pakistan

had been advised of the possibility of a limited tour in 1972-73 and asked for its comments. INCREASED CHARGES Gate charges for cricket i have joined the wages-prices ! spiral. The board approved increases—2oc a day as a rule —for the test matches ; against England in February r and March.

For the first test at Christchurch, costs—with those for children in parentheses—are

80c (20c) for the ground, $1 (40c) in the stands, and $3 ($120) for a match ticket. The similar charges in Auckland are 80c, $1.20 and $325, and 20c a day for children. One-day match charges are $1 and 20c for children. Any decision on a governing body for schoolboy cricket has been deferred, at least until the next meeting of the board.

A lengthy discussion on the topic was only completed by the appointment of a sub-

committee—Messrs G. C. Burgess, R. A. Vance and B. J. Paterson—to report back

on the functions of a junior board. ■ The board was, generally, in accord that the setting up of a national board of control, along the lines of the Cricket Council body, was not justified. Messrs Paterson and Leggat were two principal speakers against a board, a move which, said Mr K. L. Sandford, would be “empirebuilding.” “This is a subject as important as coaching, and we have found there that a national committee is working very satisfactorily,” said Mr Sandford. “I think we could have something similar here.” HORTON DECISION The expected tug-of-war between Wellington and Northern Districts for the services of M. J. Horton did not eventuate. “The position in Wellington is not now as necessary as it might Have been when we first applied,” said Mr R. A. Vance, in a virtual withdrawal of Wellington’s interest in the national coach. Horton was allocated to Northern Districts again—without dissent. An inter-island match will be played at Wellington on February 12, 13 and 15. Messrs W. A. Hadlee and M. E. Chapple were two very strong supporters of the move and a suggestion from the president (Mr J. L. Kerr), for a New Zealand v. the Rest match, received no support.