Proposed Change in Venue of Cricket Tests

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 14

Proposed Change in Venue of Cricket Tests

Revealing a move afoot to alter the venue of test matches against Australia and South Africa, th.- ‘‘Daily Mail" condemns the proposal, on the ground that finance is the dominating factor. The idea, says the paper, is to deprive the provinces of one match and to play two at Lord’s (London). Nottingham is mentioned as the ground likely to suffer, as total gate receipts there for 1930 and 1934 tests against the Australians were £26.000, compared with £46,000 for similar tests at Lord’s.

To Australian cricket administrators the suggestion to omit Nottingham will doubtless sound strange, ns if they wanted any ground omitted they would probably suggest Leeds, where the outfield is below test standard, adds the ‘‘Daily Mail.”

The “Mail” points out that any attempt to deprive Nottingham (Larwood’s home town) of its test might be interpreted as a .sequel to a chapter of cricket history which should be for ever closed. Dr. R. L. Morton, a Victorian member of the match programme committee of the Australian Board of Control, told an interviewer that the board, at its next meeting, probably in Sydney in April, would tentatively consider Marylebones plans for the next Australian tour of England in 1938. So far no proposals had been received from England. The itinerary would not be finally fixed until some time after the board’s} meeting Dr Morton would not comment on the board's, likely action if Marylebone wants tests at Lord's.