CRICKET

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13092, 13 February 1937, Page 11

CRICKET

IN FOR- LIFE! Of course it was a woman who asked tho question. Women arc like that, always asking fool questions. She said, “I wonder how long Don Bradman will keep playing for Australia ?” When she said it, wo just assumed masculine superiority and sneered (says an Australian! writer). But in our ionely room,, we began to worry about it. We worried and worried so much we practically had hysteria trying to think how long Don would be there and how Australia would get on without him. It was terrible.

And then our troubles vanished, pooph, just like the wind. Of course, Australian cricket will never be without Don. They’ll just make him lan honorarv life member of the side.

“ ’OWZAT!” In a cricket' match, one of the batsmen, hacking up keenly, was run cut by the bowler who-, instead of delivering the. ball, whipped olf the bails from the wicket from which he was bowling. Such a dismissal is perfectly lawful, hut opinion differs whether it iV ‘‘cricket.” Mv own view is while the batsman who habitually “sneaks” ground should have no objection to paying the penalty if caught napping, the player who inadvertently raises his bat from the crease to find the bails whipped off may, not unjustly, look upon the act as closely allied to sharp practice.—“ Onlooker.” in the Cape Argus

“MOVE ON.” MR. ALLEN! When G. 0. Allen drove to the foothills of the mountains overlooking Brisbane for contemplation at sunset of the side to play in the first' Test, a. group of schoolboys playing cricket in the street, not recognising the driver, urged him to “move on” and clear their pitch. Private hospitality extended to' the team takes many forms. On invitation, accepted by Fames, was to ride in a police radio patrol car searching ,a. Brisbane .suburb) for a madman who had been ruining women’s dresses by squirting add on them.

ALWAYS TIDDLYWINKS »jl There is an evil connected, with refreshments' brought on the cricket field between the ordinary intervals, ft has recently become the practice on some grounds for drinks to' be brought out, even on ,a mild morning, at the end of every hour. Of course, everybody realises that cricket is a very thirsty and tiring business, but endurance should he one of the tests. It is not a. parlour game. Cross-country running is a thirsty and tiring business, hut we should not think much of the competitors if they made a “gentleman’s agreement” to stop for a drink and a short 'rest at the end of every' two miles. A cricketer who cannot stand up from halfpast eleven to half-past. 1 two without liquid refreshments should turn to a gentler game. There is always tiddlywinks.—-“ Watchman” in the “Sunday Observer.”

NEW CRICKET RULE

The. Australian Board of Control has passed a, stringent law which may widely affect cricket.

lb does not, however, affect Test or international cricket. The new rule reads :

“If a howler on appeal by a. batsman to either umpire is considered by such umpire to be damaging tire wicket during delivery, or his; followthrough, such umpire shall direct the howler to cease so damaging the wicket.

“Should the howler fail to obey such direction, such umpire, on further appeal by any batsman during the then current innings, may order that such bowler shall not- bowl again during the course of the innings, and the over then in course' shall he deemed complete. “If. on appeal from a- captain of a fielding side, an umpire is satisfied that la- batsman is wilfully damaging the wicket, he shall direct- the batsman to refrain.

“Should the batsman fail to obey such directions, on further .appeal by the captain, the umpire may declare the batsman out.”

The new rule follows complaints that wickets had been damaged in junior matches -in Melbourne. It applies to Australa-n. cricket, except- international matches or Tests.

FAMOUS CRICKET LIBR ARY One of the most interesting visitors to the Melbourne cricket ground; recently was Mr. $. B. Focnander, sports editor of the Ceylon “Observer,” who lis having his third tour of Australia. He first. - came to Aus-tralia-as a hoy, then with D. R. Jardine’s team, and now he is accompanying G. 0. Allen’s team. Mr. Foenandcr’s cricket library is said to have no equal in the East. He has more than 1000 volumes relating to cricket-, many pictures illustrating Test incidents, and' 12 -autographed bats. One of his most treasured possessions is a bat which bears the autographs of 150 famous cricketers, the first being that of the Hon. Ivo Bligh, who recovered the “Ashes” for England in 1882. . He also, has a bat which Warren Bards ley presented to- him after the Ci4ustralian had headed the batting averages, in a triangular tournament in 1012 between England, Australiaand South Africa. Mr. Foenander offers Australian pfA facials and player® an opporunity of sampling the finest Ceylon tea. At each Test matches he has presented ; the staff with a case of tea. for the use v of players and officials.