PUBLIC FAVOURITES

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1935, Page 22

PUBLIC FAVOURITES

WOMEN ON THE * FIELD

, The experiment of playing a women's match at the Basin Reserve on a Saturday afternoon was made last week, and the success with which it was attended showed that it was overdue. The benefits to be derived from the innovation are mutual—the women have | the opportunity to play on wickets | superior to those to which they are accustomed, and the increased public' patronage results in more revenue for I the Wellington Cricket Association. Last Saturday, 5 and again on Tues-1 day, it'was shown that the.girls have a strong following among the public, and it may yet be shown that one method- of securing for ■ cricket a greater measure of the elusive quality of popularity yiVA be through the introduction of ieminine charm.'

A correspondent (A. Beauchamp, Brougham Street)' writes as follows: —

"As a supporter of the Wellington Ladies' Cricket Association I would like to voice the matter of allowing them the use of the south-eastern corner of the, Basin Reserve each Saturday. This would in no way hamper the senior match on No. 2 wicket. At the same time,it. would no 'doubt in-; crease the takings, judging by the interest taken last Saturday in the girls' practice match. If this wicket could be arranged, it would;enable, the girls to become as proficient in the..art of cricket as their English sisters. The grounds that are allotted to them at the present time are far too rough for them even to develop an,d practice,the finer points of the game. After their fine performance on Tuesday they are deserving of a little encouragement in the way of better wickets."