AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 437, 7 February 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

SELECTORS AT WAR CLEM HILL RESIGNS,

By Telegraph—Press Association.—Coyj-riem

Sydney, Monday. The Herald states that the meeting of selectors to pick the test team to meet the English team in the fourth test was the noisiest and most quarrelsome ever held in connection with the national game. It finally degenerated into an open rupture, and violent blows were exchanged, Blood flowed copiously, and Hill, the South Aus tralian selector, resigned. It is alleged that P. A. Macalister (the Victorian selector) received a bad mauling at the hands of another selector.

After Hill's resignation, F. Iredale (N.S.W.) and Macalister chose the teams.

The affair is probably the outcome of a wire sent by Macalister to Hill on the eve of the second test match. Hill sent a message to his co-selec-tors stating his wish to have Macartney included in'the team. Macalister, in a reply telegram, offered the suggestion thai; Hill, who is the Australian captain, should, in order to give effect to his wish, stand out of the team himself.

Hill states that during the meeting of the selectors repeatedly insulted him by criticising his captaincy of the Australian team in the tests, saying it was the worst he had seen. Hill remarked: "Repeat that, and I will pull your nose." Macalister persisted, and Hill slapped his face with a back-hander.

Macalister retaliated, and the fight occupied 10 minutes. Immediately afterwards Hill wrote his resignation of his selectorship and declines to act on the selection committee wtih Macalister. The Board of Control will meet shortly to consider the imbroglio.

AGGRAVATED BEYOND ENDURANCE.

Melbourne, Tuesday. Hill admits that he fought Macalister at the meeting of the selectors. He states that he was aggravated beyond endurance. Macalister declares that Hill attacked him without warning.

Hill says that the six players are still determined to oppose the Board of Control in the appointment of a manager. They want Laver. A special meeting of the Board of Control has been called to consider the report of the Hill-Macaliser fracap.