IMPERIAL CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 138, 5 March 1908, Page 7

IMPERIAL CRICKET

PRESENTATION OF A CUP. \ ' : TRIANGULAR CONTESTS. BY rELEORAPiI—PBEEB ASSOCIATION—COPJIUQfIf. ■ . Loridon, March 3. Mr. -'Abe Bailey, the South African millionaire, presents a cup to be held by suo- ' cessivo winners of - triangular, cricket contesta. '■ J ' THE PROPOSAL EXptAINED../ The-proposal for periodical triangular coik tests betweo'ii England, Australia, -arid South Africa omauated from the South .African . Cricket Association, of which Mr. Abe Bailey js the president. It is suggested that the initial contest, should be' held in England in ' 1909, when the Australians will bo there. »•. '-The' principal' 'advantages'''likely to onsua from such contests will, in tho opinion of Mr. Bailey,-be as follow (1) 'l'hey will draw together in closer friendly interest 1 the many thousands in'the countries interested, who regard cricket as their national 6port. • ' (2) They will' give a direct, stimulus J to amateurism. •' ' One' of tlic first steps to. be .taken is tho formation of an Imperial: Cricket. Board of • Control to formulate the' necessary rules and : regulations. The Board should, Mr. Bailey ; thinks/ bo' constituted as. follows:—Australia . and" South Africa,' one representative each; England, one representative, and the chairman, i The Advisory Board of the English Counties has/signified itOpproval of the schemq, 6ub-': jeot-to a consideration of;the details; and many : ■ of the leading players favour ! the proposal." Mr. C. B. Fry, one of tho keenest supporters. ' recently pointed out that South Africa liaa proved inconte'stably" that* she can place .'an:, eleven in the field capable of playing England '• or Australia on-equal terms. ' • •The foeling' in, Australia, is at, present decidedly adverse to tho scheme. "It is generally pointed out,'.' remarked the "Referee" recently, that it is the turn of South' Africa -to visit Australia.: If South Africa wishes to enter ! tho lists for' the international championship, it is;clear; that- she must do as: Australia and - England do, ithat 16 pay return .visits." . On'.' tho' other hand, there is considerable , enthusiasm in-cricket circles in-South Atrica, respecting the proposed- contests,;,and a committee is being formed'- for,-: the 1 purpose, of watching'promising''cricketers; -I'.. LORD" SELBORNE'S VIEWS. "Lord Selborne, responding to a request from ;. : UMr. Abe Bailey for his views on the proposed ■triangular series of cricket Test, matches bo-. • ;tween-; England,-Australia; and; South' Africa, stated-:—I- j - 1 ■, "I ; think' such a tournament" would ,be a- ■ splendid thing from the point of view of sport. The contest might to present cricket in- its highest . development. Further, I think that, the proposal has a real political value. - The ;. lnoi'o^ 1 the reality of tho Empire is brought, to its people in any shape or.form;'the more the idea beoomes part of. their natural] being, and • 'ae-there are more men intoi'uslsd. in, sport than in politics,,art, literature, or' business,: there i« a larger number, wfo are touched by : tho in- , fluence.of such a contest." , " ' :lv : 'V