THE OTAGO v. M.C.C. CRICKET MATCH.

Evening Star, Issue 12766, 20 March 1906, Page 6

THE OTAGO v. M.C.C. CRICKET MATCH.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I bare read with amazement the statement reported to'have been made by Mr Wilson, the Otago captain, as to the custom of drawing stumps in Australia if a batsman should Be disposed of five minutes before time. It is quite true that the practice is sometimes resorted to, but never on the last day, especially under such circumstances as yesterday's. I challenge Mr Wilson to give instances where it has been done under the same circumstances. According to the rales the mupircs are the sole arbiters in such matters, and the Otago captain exceeded his duties in permitting stumps to be drawn before six last evening. As for the light, it was far better than on Saturday evening. It was quite as good at half-past five as at six o’clock. The fad of the matter is that the Otago captain proved himself unfit for the position in more ways than one. One wonders why Torrance was not utilised more in the first innings. New Zealand cricketers are too prone to place Australians in command of teams without first proving their qualifications. Judging by the Press reports, the M.C.C. team gave great praise to the Wellington cricketers for their sportsmanlike action in not wasting a second of time when they entered on the task of making a little over TOO runs in forty-seven minutes. The captain of the M.C.C. team would have given -proof of his sincerity had he played on till six o’clock exactly yesterday. Bub I suppose circumstances alter cases. The assertion of Mr Wilson that two men could not be got rid of in five minutes ivas twice completely disposed of when Armstrong and Mailer were got rid of in less time at the start, and, later, after Hansford was dismissed, McLeod, Jennings, and Laver were out within eight minutes. Note particularly, play did not’ step before tune at Wellington—the newspaper report says that it was on the stroke, of six when the century was hoisted, and 10 runs were scored thereafter —nor would it had a wicket fallen.—l am, etc.. Too Thin. March 20.