CRICKET CONTINUES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 120, 14 February 1935, Page 15

CRICKET CONTINUES

Mayor Grants Permission

PITCHES WITHOUT WATER

Cricket will be played in Wellington on Saturday, according to a statement by the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, in reply to a joint deputation from tlie Wellington Cricket Association ami the Wellington Mercantile Cricket League at the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The deputation was headed by Mr. P. B. Broad, chairman of the Cricket Association, and Mr. IS. F. Casey, deputy-chairman of the Mercantile Leagiie. Mr. Broad pointed out that the joint deputation represented some 2000’cricketers in Wellington, who were perturbed earlier in the week by the announcement that nntß rain fell or until there was a repeal of the hosing restrictions no wickets would be piepared. , „ “"We ask that we be allowed to play, said Mr. Broad. “We are quite prepared to accept the position that there is no water for wickets, and we are not attacking that issue for a moment. We are also prepared to play if the wiekets are cut and marked out.” Mr. Broad further stated that in the opinion of the deputation the request was a reasonable one. Opposition could only be raised on two issues—first, the possible danger to players, and, second, that unless water was available irreparable damage would be done to the turf. The Mayor: Involuntary bodyline bowling. It was contended, continued the representative of the Cricket Association, that the turf was like concrete to-day, and that less harm could come to the wickets by lack of watering than if a limited supply were made available. Both cricket bodies acquiesced in the calling off of practice, but it was thought that the cricketers should have their Saturday games in the meantime. Mr. Casey said that the Mercantile League was entirely in agreement with the views put forward by Mr. Broad. Director’s View. The Mayor said lie was afraid that the deputation was going to suggest a watering proposition, and he was glad to know that this was not so. Everyone, including cricketers, realised the position with water storage falling off, and the council had a most difficult 30 days ahead of it. He had no personal objection to cricket continuing under the terms suggested by the deputation. Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, director of parks and reserves, pointed out that the playing of games would probably ruin the wickets altogether. If the wickets were destroyed there would be no more cricket in any case. Mr. Broad: We will take that risk, though we don’t altogether subscribe to that point of view. Mr. Broad pointed out that the cricketers themselves would suffer if the wickets were damaged. The Mayor: If this weather continues it will shorten the season in any case. The deputation retired, and within a few minutes the Mayor made the announcement that cricket would be allowed in the meantime.