DECISION CRITICISED

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1923, Page 6

DECISION CRITICISED

CRICKET BOARD OF CONTROL

NO TEAM FROM AUSTRALIA.

The general regret felt in-New Zealand at the decision of the Australian Board of Control not to send a cricket team to the Dominion this season has also been felt in Australia, as such toure are much enjoyed and are regarded as valuable to young Australian cricketers from an educational point of view. The board's meeting was held in Melbourne, and the proceedings were taken in camera. The decision was to the effect that the New Zealand authorities should bo informed 'that the Board was unable to agree to send a team to New Zealand, and, further, that it was against the boards-policy to encourage teams from Australia to tour abroad undtr private management. No official announcement as to the reasons for the decision was made.' It was understood, however, that the New Zealand authorities suggested that the board should bear the bulk of the expenses of the team. According to latest advices from Australia there is a strong opinion that the board, by its decision, has shown that it is not alive to the necessities of Australian cricket. There are many players in Australia, • beside those who gain the highest honours, who, it is thought, are entitled to consideration. Such tours as those which have been ma<e previously to New Zealand are ■ advantageous from more than one point of view. It is considered that th.c social side of the/game should be brought to the front and the sporting side given full play. The cricket writer of the "Sydney Referee" has the following to say about the matter:—

"I have no doubt that with very little trouble a very capable team could be banded together to visit New Zealand on conditions mutually satisfactory to the cricket of the countries concerned, and palatable to the players. There are so many players in' Australia to-day that it would not be difficult-to get thirteen or fourteen together, delighted to make the tour, with their hotel and travelling expenses paid. The Board of Control in determining against private teams touring to New Zealand may be right when the team is representative in strength, that is, embracing the cream of the strength of Australia. But teams of a different type would be acceptable in New Zealand if wisely chosen. And surely it is unwise for- the board to determine that such a team must not be sent to New Zealand or anywhere else; The M.C.C. does not set up an arbitrary ,law of this nature.

"These decisions by the Board of Control should be reviewed by each of the associations. They are not. in the interests of Australian cricket, inasmuch' as they reveal no desire to provide a class of cricket indispensable to Australia if the younger players are to be-brought to. the fulness of their power within reasonable time, as was the case many years ago. We need go. no further than the English team brought to' New Zealand and Australia by P. F. Warner immediately after Australia had administered Test match drubbings to England on English fields. .That tour developed young men, and gave P. F. Warner himself .an insight into the ; game out here which he could never have had otherwise. And the outcome was that the next official team to Australia under his control won the 'Ashes' back for England. "The reason: why the tour has. been turned down is that the board unexpectedly had to pay out about £300 on the last tour, from which New Zealand made a very handsome profit, and this time New Zealand imposes terms which the board does, not care to accept. However, the young cricketers of New South Wales may be the gainers, as I understand' the board has no 'objeclion to New South Wales organising a te*m., The authorities in Sydney are strongly in favour of doing so, and we shall no doubt see one dispatched in place of the expected Australian combination."