Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1931. COMMERCE IN CRICKET.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 October 1931, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1931. COMMERCE IN CRICKET.

yiiE cablegram published, to-day, quoting the London “Daily Telegraph’s” views on Bradman, must be taken as a definite intimation that Bradman has decided to play for a Lancashire club, although to the time of writing, no word 1o that effect has come from Australia. The London ‘Telegraph’ was the first to announce to a startled cricket world that Bradman and the Accrington Club were negotiating, since when the famous batsman has adopted a mysterious attitude, neither denying, nor affirming, the correctness of the Homeland statements. For the “Telegraph” now to blame the Australian Board of Control, is ridiculous. The Board was too merciful to Bradman, who, apparently, took advantage of his prowess |on Ihe field. To term Bradman “slightly mutinous” is letting him down lightly. ' The fact is that Bradman, like

most- of“ the Australian leading players, is a professional cricketer, and it ( is time the pretence that the Australians are amateurs was abolished. From amateurs, playing for the love of the game, certain standards of loyalty to ideals, are expected. Professionals are not looked to for such altruism. Bradman is making the most of his earning opportunities, and no recognised professional at any kind of sport, can be blamed for that. Bradman is not the first leading Australian to be capitalising his cricketing abilities. For example, some years ago, Ponsford was reported to be on the point of playing for an English club, when a well-paid place was found for him on an Australian newspaper-staff, and his proposed migration was unnecessary. If Australia wishes to keep Bradman, she must make it worth his while to remain. He is an undoubted “gate” attraction, apart from his contributions Io his side’s score.

The New Zealand cricketers are due to arrive home at the end of this week, and it is to he hoped that they will be given the cordial welcome they deserve. They have played the game for the game’s sake, and it is opportune to note that the “Daily Telegraph’s” cricket-expert, writing of the New Zealanders towards the end of their

Home programme, stated: For some of them the present visit is likely! to be the last, and admirers of C. S. Dempster will regret to learn that this brilliant batsman includesj himself among those who believe they are now taking their final leave of our cricket-fields. “A tour like this is too expensive for the individual player,” is the explanation given to me. “After all, we are afhateurs, we revive. no personal bonus, as the Australians do, and in order to make the trip we had to get leave of absence without pay from our work at school, in a bank, 1 and so on. ’ ’ New Zealand cricketing authorities might well consider the point whether some more generous allowance could not be made to the tourists. True, owing to the wet weather, the tour was not profitable, but the large sum obtained by the art union, will not only meet all liabilities, but leave a not inconsiderable balance. None can doubt the true “amateur” spirit and high standard of sportsmanship on and off the field, displayed by the New Zealanders, and it would be a graceful gesture, as well as a practical acknowledgment, if the personal loss to New Zealand’s touring cricketers were met from the money subscribed by the general public by the art union scheme. This matter of players’ lost salaries and high personal expenses must be given more consideration when future tours are arranged, otherwise it may be that some of New Zealand’s best cricketers will be unable to accept invitations to represent their country in Britain.