Shell series suggestions

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 36

Shell series suggestions

A surprise guest at the Canterbury Cricket Association’s management committee last evening was the Canterbury captain, Maurice Ryan.

Ryan expressed his opinion and that of the team that he has successfully led this season, on the format of the Shell series. “The team has no dramatic solutions, but we are against four days play in the Shell Cup — the older members feel that the hours are too long and that it is too hard work. The real problem is the 75 overs limit on the first innings," said Ryan. Ryan suggested that the 150 overs in the first innings remain, but if the bowling team dismissed its opposition within 75 overs then it should be allowed to use the unused overs.

As far as performance points were oncemed, Ryan felt that batting points should be scrapped and that they be concentrated on bowling. However, he said that batting was involved and he thought that the performance points should stop after 75 overs with the provision allowed for the batting side to continue for a further 10 overs with bonus point not applicable. Ryan thought that the first batting point should come after 150 runs and that further points should be gained at 200, 250 and 300. That would give a maximum of four batting points and to relate that with the bowling, he felt that performance points should be gained at the fall of the third, fifth, seventh and ninth wickets. In each case, a maximum of four points could be obtained.

Ryan, speaking on the second. round of the Shell Trophy, said that . his first thought was that the team winning the Shell Cup should automatically qualify for the final of the Shell Trophy. However, he said that the team agreed that it should be a new competition, but that the organisers should perhaps look at holding the second round over four days. He also felt that the main financial rewards should be invested in the Shell Cup, where every team met one another, and that less emphasis, financially, should be given to the Shell Trophy. The ideas of Ryan, who was spokesman for the Canterbury side, were generally well received by the committee, but doubts were raised on some aspects. Mr D. J. Elder disagreed with Ryan’s proposal on the 150 overs. He felt that it

would give a double advantage to the bowling side. Mr N. G. O. OcKwell said that it would be essential for the team bowling first to take the view of claiming wickets and not adopting a policy of containment as had been seen recently.

Other members felt that Ryan’s idea of an additional 10 overs after the 75 with no performance points applying was worthwhile as it would take the heat off the batsmen lower down in the order. “The 75 overs was introduced to stop sides batting on and that has been achieved,” said Mr R. G. Knowles. “It has also stopped batsmen from building innings, but the series lately has been the most exciting for the last few years. If there is any alteration to the points system it must be simple so that the public can follow it,” he added. Mr Elder said that it was necessary to divorce Shell series cricket from test cricket. “Test cricket involves four or five days play and if we want to prepare players for test cricket then we revert back to first innings wins.” Mr G. T. Dowling made the point that the 75 overs limitation was designed to conclude a first innings. He mentioned that if a first innings extended an extra 10 overs, it might mean the top order batsmen might be forced to make two starts — at the end of the first day and again the next morning. It was decided on Mr R. G. Knowle’s motion that the points raised by Ryan be submitted to perhaps form the basis for the competition next season..