NOT CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 20986, 28 December 1931, Page 10

NOT CRICKET.

TO THS SDITOK. Sir, —Allow me to congratulate Mr Rowland upon his lucid explanation anent the deplorable mess the Otago Cricket Association allowed itself to dive_ into. Lovers of cricket have been awaiting some sort of excuse from the pen of Mr J. M. Fraser,- But, alas! this gentleman has stumped himself. Ho is as silent as _ the grave. No doubt, his resignation will follow in due course 1 As to Mr Wycherley on not playing a “straight bat,” let me ask him why he supported Mr Fraser’s motion. To talk of the majority of the committee being newcomers is not cricket. They are business men, supposed to have business ideas; but, according to Mr Wycherley, the financial aspect was not the only motive that entered _ into this sorry affair. Why, then, did not Mr Wycherley “ play a straight bat” and record his vote against the miserable, mean, and unsportsmanlike motion of Mr Fraser’s. The _ ethics of business were plainly lacking, and it behoves Mr Fraser to at once place himself on-side by tendering his resignation. I have no axe to grind. I deal through Mr Fraser’s firm, and have never had a business dealing with Mr Rowland. We all appreciate good and true sports, but behind Mr Wycherley’s letter there is that transparent apology for acting against his own views. I hold that this_ is not cricket, and before “ inflicting defeat upon the other provinces ” (to use Mr Wycherley’s own words) the Management Committee of the Otago Cricket Association sought to inflict disgrace upon themselves. Success attended the effort. It is time Mr Rowland superseded Mr Fraser as president of our cricketing council. All would then bo well.—l am, etc., Bravo. December 28.