Last cricket test over six days?

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34072, 9 February 1976, Page 16

Last cricket test over six days?

Unless India wins the second cricket test at pi esent Being played in Christchurch, and clinches the series at _-0. the third international, beginning next Friday, will be extended to six days.

Mr W. A. Hadlee, the chairman of the New Zealand board of control, said yesterday that the addition of an extra day was in accordance with international rules and had been approved by the Indian cricket board.

The rain which forced the. postponement of play on Saturday and led to a late start yesterday would have an effect on tour finances. Mr Hadlee said, but he hoped

that the break-even point of $lOO,OOO would at least be met.

About $70,000 had already been taken at the gates, and Mr Hadlee was confident that the final two days of the : Christchurch test, the probable six days at Wellington, and the limited-over fixture at Auckland and Christchurch would return sufficient revenue to cover the remaining deficit. There is a prospect of New Zealand making a reciprocal i tour of India in the near (future, but Mr Hadlee said (that negotiations were still [taking place and no firm decisions had been made at yesi terday’s board meeting. A reappraisal of the regu- [ lations and playing conditions of the Shell series would be [made at another meeting in [ April, although it has already ibeen agreed that certain [amendments would be desirable. The matter of venues land alterations to dates of matches was one aspect under review. Further consideration had

also been given to the implementation of a players’ provi. dent fund, and the principle had been approved. Mr Hadlee said. The use of the fund would be at the discretion of the board and service given by players to New Zealand cricket would be taken into account.