CRICKET QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 3

CRICKET QUESTION

Wellington-Varsity Match (By “Century.") An interesting point has arisen in connection with , the ■\Velliiigtoii-Val - sity cridket match last Saturday, when Varsity, who batted first, were dismissed for 50 runs, and Wellington put. on 188 for six Wickets arid declared, allowing Varsity less than an hour to bat before the drawing of stumps. According to the amended rule, a breach was committed, as it says distiiictly that the declaring side must give the other iit least an hour to bat before dtuinps. It was ailnnuiiced lit first that Varsity intended entering n protest, biit Hie latest devclopmciit is that the captain of the Wellington tehiii has made, nti offer to Varsity io cancel the tiriie Varsity batted and allow them to start their second innings next Saturday. T’lie ddverihg up of a breach of this nfitiite by an agreement between .he teams (low not serin altogether correct, but the trouble is that although the rule says what must, not be doiie, there docs not appear to be any penalty. It Wonl.l be a severe blow to Wellington if they were pfiiialiswl because they were not conversant with the rule, and one pardons their ignorance, especially ns the umpires did not apparently know tlie rule either. Nevertheless the question should be left to the management committfie ninl not settled by this sort of agreement. These difficulties are always liable to arise when there is any tinkering with the rules. It seems to be a habit among associations to nieddle with M.C.C. rules, and sometimes it is brought home to them that their fussing about has caused more trouble still. It will bo interesting to hfinr Whilt the lirnmigfiniehf edniffliftfie has to say 1 on the .question.