CRICKET THE COMING SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 67, 16 September 1922, Page 15

CRICKET

THE COMING SEASON

BRIGHT PROSPECTS

VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM,

(By "Not Out.")

The approach of summer is heralded by an eager desire on. the part of cricketers to don flannels for the season that promises to be one of the most notable in. the history 'of cricket in New Zealand. The outstanding event will be the visit of Maclaren's English team, and that alone will account for unusual interest, not only ©from the general public, but also from, the players themselves, who will be particularly keen to reach a standard 01 play that will entitle them to consideration for places in the teams which are to meet the visitors. From an educational point of view the tour will also mean a great deal to the players generally; from the boys to the seniors. Outside that important ev«nt, the prospects are for "a boom in cricket," to use the words of the hon. secretary of the Wellington Cricket Association, Mr. Hewitt. .Enthusiasm. at the annual meetings of clubs, and of the association, encouraging reports of the preliminary work for' the commencement of the season, the elections of new \members, the appointments of coaches, and the formation of new clubs are some of the first signs of the achievement of further progress. / '' , Operations last season were generally satisfactory, though the source of revenue was not sufficient to cover the expenditure, a big item cfi which was the charges for grounds. The value of cricket in the process of building 1 up a healthy community might well be recognised by the City Council during- the coming season by reducing the heavy charges that are made for use of the city reserves as playing , areas. The visit of the English team could be made to benefit local associations in the matter ot funds to assist in keeping the game on a sound footing, but the New Zealand Cricket Council seems to think that any profits from the tour could ho better utilised in sending a New Zealand team overseas at some future date. The Wellington Association has been fighting hard for an arrangement that would be of valuable assistance to local associations, and, incidentally, of , much value to the necessary attainment of a higher standard of play, but the efforts have been of no avail. IMPROVING THE STANDARD. The standard of, cricket in Wellington last season was not .very satisfactory, and there were matters relating'to the conditions governing play that caused adverse , comment. An overhaul of. the rules with an alteration of the system, of awarding championship points has been made after careful study by a special eub-eommittee, and consideration by delegates, and that will make for an improvement. Strict attention to practice is probably the most important requirement for an improved standard of play. Interesting points in this connection are brought out by Mr. H. C. Watson, coach of the Wellington representatives, in a report )to the Wellington Cricket Association. He states that the practices were not as successful as he would have liked. For that there were, in his opinion, several reasons:— 1. The provision of only one net at the Basin Beserye for a matter of twen-ty-two players was totally inadequate! Even when the number was reduced to fifteen, it was'not" possible for every player to get the practice essential for the purpose in view.' 2. On several occasions players had to leave the ground owing to the late hour, without having had any batting practice at all. This, no doubt, accounted for several players not attending regularly; in fact, several players included in the teams were 1 obviously out of fornv through lack of practice. 3. The lack of slow leg-break and slow left-hand bowlers in the team selected to practice had, sin Mr. Watson's opinion, a lot to do with the non-success 1 of_ the team in Auckland. While not criticising the selction, he points out that, with only one practice net available, it was not possible to invite any other, bowlers to assist.

4. It was also impossible, under those conditions, to get any systematic fielding practice, and, to the coach's mind, that department was the.^principal weakness in the Otago and Canterbury matches. With a view to improving matters for the coming season, Mr. Watson makes suggestions along the following lines :— "Representative practice, in my opinion, should commence earlier in the season. This would help to get players into form earlier, as it is only by practice in good company that will improve those players who are likely to be selected in the'representative team. The poor facilities for practice is, in my_ opinion, the greatest drawback to cricket in New Zealand. In Australia and in England the best facilities are provided to enable players to get practice in the best of company. Good wickets, good nets, with plenty of protection for both batsman and bowler. Until such conditions are provided, I connot see our standard of cricket improving to any great extent. I would suggest that earlier arrangements be made at the Basin Reserve for the necessary practice wickets. This would enable the custodian to provide better wickets than if,the matter is left until a few days before the wickets are required. It is essential that two nets be provided, so that' all can get a reasonable time at the batting crease, and give a certain amount of time to fielding practice 'afterwards. The idea of dropping the wing nets to provide fielding practice is not practicable on such a crowded ground as the Basin Reserve. A catching machine, which can be made locally, might be provided to give the necessary slip-catching practice. "In conclusion, I would like to say that all the players; who attended the practices, were keen to make- them a success, but under the circumstances it was quite impossible. I thank your committee for the honour in appointing me to take charge of the practices, and can only add that if my services were of any help I am more than pleased."