CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22192, 21 November 1935, Page 4

CRICKET

OTAGO ASSOCIATION 'MATCH AGAINST SOUTHLAND Suggested by the local selector as an indication of playing form before the Otago-Soutbland game at Invercargill on February 15, a match between" these provinces was arranged at last night’s meeting of the Otago Cricket Association for next Wednesday at Carisbrook. The Secretary reported that he and the president (Mr J. Fraser) had communicated the selector’s suggestion to the Southland Association, which advised in reply that it was prepared to send a representative team to Dunedin to play Otago next Wednesday. This action was approved, and it was decided to commence the match as early as possible in the morning. Mr E. Downes was appointed scorer for the match. BROADCAST OF MATCHES. It was advised by the New Zealand Council that its Management Committee had disaproved of the principle of having descriptions of first-class games broadcast, hut individual associations would he permitted to make their own arrangements if they desired broadcasts. The Chairman said that the association could lose nothing through having its matches broadcast, as this tended to create interest iu the game, which might he particularly appreciated by persons absent from the city. It was reported "that it was customary to broadcast matches, and members held that “gates” had not been affected. Cricket was a game that enthusiasts would rather watch than hear a description of it, and it was decided to ask the broadcast authorities what they would be prepared to pay for the rights of broadcasting matches. JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. The Secretary reported that he had ascertained that the association was formed on July 15, 1876, so that next year would be its sixtieth anniversary. It was suggested that some form of celebration be arranged, preferably to coincide with the visit of the Canterbury team in February, 1937, as the oldest-established series of matches was against Canterbury. The following sub-committee was appointed to prepare a report on the most suitable method of celebrating the occasion :—Messrs J. Fraser, G. G. Austin, F. N. Binney, and the secretary. SHIELD AND M.C.C. MATCHES. Reporting on the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association, Mr F. N. Binney said that the duration of Blanket Shield matches had been discussed at a meeting of representatives of the major associations. Auckland and Wellington had favoured four-day matches, while Canterbury and Otago had preferred three days. It had been impossible to roach an agreement, and the matter had eventually been left to the casting vote of the chairman, who bad had to follow procedure, and allow the existing state of affairs to ■ continue. Mr Binney ,=aid that as a result of this decision men who would be playing for New Zealand as well as in Blunkct Shield matches would be “ rushed about the country.” Mr Binney added that, if the M.C.C.

team’s tour were a financial success, there was every possibility that Otago would obtain a substantial refund in its guarantee of £375, to which exception had been taken. When the guarantees were allocated the extra match in Sydney had not been arranged, and the revenue from this game would now be available. GENERAL. ■ Conditions of insurance against rainfall (amounting to .10m Jjetween’ 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.) on^days of firstclass matches with the M.C.C. team were submitted by the New Zealand Council and referred to the Finance Committee, which was instructed to prepare a report including morning rainfall statistics. An inquiry from the New Zealand Council for the names of three or four to act as umpires in Plunket _ Shield and other first-class matches during the present season was referred to the Umpires’ Association. A request from the North Otago Association that the coach (Mr F. T. Badccok) be permitted to visit Oamaru for two days during the season was granted, it being the chairman’s opinion that every assistance should be given outside _ centres within the association’s province. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee it was decided to grant lOgns to Mr E. A. Hamel, who was injured while umpiring a match. Mr W. Rowlands reported that umpires had been instructed to signal for the benefit of spectators and scorers when a player* was given out under the new Ihw rule. Explaining why it had accepted Saxton from the High School Old Boys’ Club and had published the name of a former Y.M.C.A. player in one of its teams before clearances had been granted, the. Carisbrook Club advised that Saxton had been unable to obtain a. Clearance in spite of repeated requests. The club had also complied with the requests of the Y.M.C.A. Club before playing the other man referred to. —The letter was received, members stressing the need for strict adherence to the transfer rule.