Training of Cricketers

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 11

Training of Cricketers

Bir, The efforts being xnade by the AV ellmgton Cricket Association to secure a suitable coach, that cricket in'the AVelhngtoo province might be improved, will. I feei sure, meet with the approval of all cricketers and supporters of the game. AVhat branch of the game are we' in the AVellington area so backward in? Unmistakably it is in the bowling. Have we in our senior ranks to-day a bowler of class, whether it be a slow spin bowler, medium pace, or fast, who would bear comparisoxi with either Merritt, Badcock, or Townsend? Decidedly not! AA’e certainly have a couple of fastmedium pace bowlers in Tricklebank and Hatch, with possibilities, while Galichan and Griffiths are the best in the writer’s opinion of a poor lot of spin 'bowlers. Has a search been made among the lower grade players for some youngster or youngsters possessing natural spin and easy delivery, who, with - proper coaching, may develop into another Bill /Merritt? I have advocated for seasons past both verbally and through the Press for the association to depute a couple of its members off to pay a visit each Saturday where .some of the junior and younger members are playing in search of youngsters who are able to spin the ball and possessing easy deliveries, who with proper coaching may develop into Blanket Shield representatives. Several of the world's greatest howlers have been discovered f/laying with teams that could hardly be-rated as second class. Should the association be successful in engaging a coach, I do hope he is one possessing a thorough knowledge of spin bowling, and one who is capable of imparting such to the youngster brought under his notice.

Our bowlers at present are too much of a sameness; if you succeed in playing one of them, you are able to play the lot, as few of them ever attempt to vary their pace and flight, or give it a thought that there are ten other players on the side to assist them in getting a batsman out. Bowlers who can spin* the ball and could be vastly improved by good coaching are Caldwell and Moloney from the AVellington club. The former bowls a gooil wx'ong ’un. and hides it well, but. his length would have to become more accurate; while if Moloney would only persevere ami endeavour to bowl a straight ball now and again, with that leg-break delivery of his, he would secure a Jot of wiekets.

There is no need to worry about our batting, as we do possess a number of young batsmen capable of making runs in any company. Wicket-keeping is also of a high standard. The ground fielding of our representative teams was quite first-class last season. while in the most important part of the field, that of the slips, where, as a rule 50 per cent, of the catches ,in a game are given, there was little room for improvement.—l am. etc.. L. T. COBOROFT, Petone, August 27.