PLAYING OF PROFESSIONALS

Evening Star, Issue 20321, 1 November 1929, Page 4

PLAYING OF PROFESSIONALS

PLUNKET SHIELD COMPETITION OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION MEETING Tho playing of professionals in Plunket Shield cricket was further discussed at last night’s meeting of the Otago Cricket Association, which was presided over by Mr G. A. Wycherley. Mr J. A Dunning moved that m the event of the matter coining before the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Association tlie_ Otago delegates be instructed to vote in favour of the playing of ono professional in the respective teams , participating in the Plunket Shield competition. He said that players who'travelled in a team that included a professional learnt much from him, and he instanced the case of E. H, Bowley, tho former Auckland professional, who had done much for the improvement of Auckland, cricket in this respect. Mr J. A. Robson seconded the motion. ' Mr W. Mackcrsy expressed tbo opinion that too much trouble arose over the playing of professionals. There was nothing against tho bringing to New Zealand of professionals to coach tho players, but the Plunket Shield competition had been made for New Zealand’s best players, and it should be for New Zealand players only. The Chairman held that the players would improve by playing with or seeing in action players of greater experience than themselves, and no other opportunity _ than tho one suggested seemed possible. Mr W. R. Brinsley said bo thought the educational value from tho playing of professionals could not be over-esti-mated, and it was necessary that the cricket should be made attractive for the public. Mr G A. Martin said that tho professionals were brought to New Zealand to teach the young players, and that was where their game ended. There had been too much of associations bringing professionals to the dominion for the purpose of winning the Plunket Shield. The motion was carried.

The delegates wore also instructed to confirm a recommendation that points in Plunket Shield matches should bo counted as follow:—Five points for an outright win; three for a win on the first innings; two for each team in the event of the first innings not being completed; and one point for a loss on the first innings. The proposal also is that when aip innings is declared it should be considered completed and recognised as the loss of ten wickets.

PLUNKEI SHIELD DATES. Tho Auckland Cricket Association advised acceptance of December 24, 26, 26, and 27 for its match with Otago at Auckland. The Canterbury Association confirmed February 28 and following days for the Canterbury-Otago match. FINANCE. The Secretary reported that the subcommittee appointed to go into the matter of raising funds had met yesterday afternoon, and it had been suggested that an evening display might be staged at Carisbrook in February or March. The fixture might include displays by the military and schools, races under tho auspices of the Amateur Athletic Association, and dancing displays. Tho meeting might conclude with a fireworks, display. It had also been suggested that prominent Austialian cricketers should be written to for their autographed photographs, which could bo disposed of by raffle. An art union was proposed in connection with the display, and it was suggested that a * Cricket Sketcher ’ might be published, containing caricatures and topical verse. If properly worked up, there might be £IOO or £2OO in this alone. The Chairman said that an afternoon meeting was proposed in addition to the evening entertainment. It was hoped to secure assistance from the Motor Club and the Aero Club.. It was decided that the committee should report to a further meeting after some definite information whs received regarding assistance from the other bodies, ENGLISH MATCH. Tho Secretary reported in regard to the advertising proposed in connection with the English mutch, stating that tho sub-committee suggested the expenditure of £3O on newspaper and screen advertising, and on posters for distribution throughout Qtago. A series of talks on cricket would also bo broadcast prior to the English match. GAME AT OAMARU. Mr Dunning brought up the question of a match with North Otago, members generally viewing the suggestion with favour. It was decided to write to tho North Otago Association offering it a match with an Otago team at Oamaru on the way to Christchurch for the Canterbury match, and to ask if some arrangement might be come to by which the financing of tho trip might be met. CHRISTMAS FIXTURE. Mr E. O. Beale, of the Auckland Cricket Association, wrote with regard to matches for his Auckland touring team. Ho hoped the Otago Association would be able to give the team a match on December 25 and 26. With Otago’s Plunket Shield team playing Auckland at Eden Park on those dates it would be a unique happening if the two associations were simultaneously staging a Josser match at Carisbrook. The team proposed playing matches against Otago, Southland, South Otago, South Canterbury, ■ and Ashburton County. It was decided to accept the dates put forward and to play the match at Carisbrook. . GENERAL. Mr J. A. Robson reported on behalf of the Grounds Committee that the Knox Church Club had been allotted a practice wicket at Logan Park. Tho Secretary of the Carisbrook Club wrote protesting against the state of the wicket at Opoho.—Referred to Grounds Committee. The Secretary of .the Caversham Presbyterian Cricket Club 'applied for permission to enter a team.in the third grade competition. The Secretary of the Now Zealand Council wrote requesting payment of 50 per cent.! of_ the guarantee for the English match, it being decided to reply that Otago was not yet in a position to comply with the request. Messrs J. Ramsde.n and A. Dey were re-elected as'Otago’s delegates to the New Zealand Cricket Council. The Secretary of tho Port Chalmers Club wrote stating that the ground would not be ready for a month. He also asked if the association could see Its way clear to give a small donation to the funds of tho club, as the ground was a great expense.—lt was decided to write explaining that the funds of the association did not permit tho granting of a donation, and that other chibs either had to providq a wicket or pay for a ground,

It was decided to accept the South land Cricket Association’s invitation to send a junior representative, team to Invercargill at Christmas time, and Messrs W. R. Brinsley, J. A. Robson, and O. Dey . were appointed as the junior selectors. The Grounds Committee was instructed to have a wicket prepared at Carisbrook for representative practice.