CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1929, Page 5

CRICKET

NEW CRICKET RULES. ENGLISH CLUE’S PROTEST. United Press Association.—By Electric Teiegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 24. The “Daily Express” features a report of its sporting expert on the widespread discontent of club cricketers at file new wicket and new .1.1).w. law. The expert points out that for the first tune in the history of crickqt in England, the game is being played under two sets of rules. The Counties are experimenting with new conditions while the South Africans are adhering to the old. There are also icn thousand club cricketers whose chief complaint is that all the legislation is for a comparatively lew masters, such as Hobbs and Hammond. The position is more serious Ilian is supposed. The new rules, if not actually a failure, are certainly not a success. Not a single club in England lias adopted them. It is believed that representations will shortly be nmole to the M.C.C. in tliis connection, using the strong argument that the Australians in 1030 wifll not lie asked to abide by them, ami the day may shortly come when the clubs will separate from M.C.C. government. CRICKETER’S PROTEST. AT STATE OE WICKET. 1 Received this day at 10 a.tn.) LONDON, May 23. The first serious incident in the campaign against shirt-front wickets occurred at Lords. Strangely enough, the complaint was made by a AVoreester howler, Gilbert, that the wick>'t was tinder-prepared, linking it clear that lie was acting on his own initiative without consulting his captain. Gilbert stated lie understood the groundsmen were instructed that the wickets should not he over-prepared. Judging from the experience yesterday, the wicket was unfair, in the sense that undue advantage was given to l be winners of the toss. The wicket was crumbling at four o’clock on the first day. Point was given to Gilbert’s complaint by the fact that before tea, his average against Middlesex was ml for 55, and after tea he.skittled five for thirty-eight. He could have preened his feathers instead of protesting. it is pointed out that owing to the severe winter, the wickets on most grounds are relatively devoid of grass. .The ball capers and keeps lower than usual.