Standard of seniors

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33027, 21 September 1972, Page 16

Standard of seniors

Canterbury cricket should give thought to changing its set-up of senior games—perhaps to the extent of establishing a “super grade” of zonal teams—the president of the Canterbury Cricket Association (Mr C. F. Collins) told the annual meeting last evening.

“We need to tighten the standard of senior play,” said Mr Collins, and he cited the example of Auckland, which will return to a form of district cricket—with the “super grade” —in the 1973-74 season. Mr Collins said “cricket youth in Canterbury” was being inspired by a comprehensive coaching programme. But, he said, it was important to produce “stars.” “You don’t produce stars when you are losing, and boys are only interested if Canterbury is winning.

“If we do not have success, then I would not be surprised if we lost players and they took on rowing a skiff up and down the Avon River.”

Mr Collins added that, as far as the Plunket Shield was concerned, “we have to win it this year. I don’t say that in terms of pot-hunting, but because success can mean players are not lost to cricket.”