OTAGO’S CRICKET COACH.

Evening Star, Issue 22247, 27 January 1936, Page 12

OTAGO’S CRICKET COACH.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —“ Play fair and play to win ” is a characteristic British sporting maxim; in fact, it is the all-essential factor in the production of healthy rivalry. As a spectator at the representative cricket match between Otago and Wellington last Saturday 1 thought the players quite fulfilled the requirements of fair play, as did the spectators in their readiness to applaud either side whenever the occasion arose. However, quite in contrast with this delightful atmosphere, 1 witnessed what to every sport-loving person is nothing short of revolting—namely, what could only appear as the exhibition of indifference by one batsman ns to whether he succeeded or failed to improve Otago’s position on the scoreboard. The point is stressed by the fact that this piayer is retained by the Otago Cricket Association for the sole purpose of encouraging, coaching, and moulding young and promising material into onr cricketers of the future. His performance at the crease should be an opportunity to many only too keen and willing to glean something of the art of batting. Of course this is not always possible. The best batsmen in the world are often disappointing to watch, and just as often fail to score, but one thing is certain and obvious to all those with any knowledge of the game who viewed this exbibiton last Saturday, that the general demeanour and care-free attitude of this man at, the wicket suggested beyond all queston that he was not even observing the fundamental pnu-

ciples of cricket or any other sport, in that' lie was apparently not imbued with the desire or determination to do Ids best for the province. I might add further that this is not an isolated exhibition of the kind by the same player. It has occurred many times, and is freely discussed by the general public. The Cricket Association, in fairness to itself, to the army of public subscribers and spectators who help to provide the coach’s salary, and to the many young and enthusiastic players coming on, should take steps to remedy this state of affairs at once.—l am, etc., Clean Spobt.