COUNTRY CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 83, 6 March 1935, Page 5

COUNTRY CRICKET

WELLINGTON’S LESSON. PLAYERS OF THE FUTURE. (By “Slip.”) Tor some time past a difference of opinion has existed between Wellington and the province as to the merits and demerits of town and country cricket, more particularly where the talent within the outlying areas is concerned. Plunket Shield cricket is the big cricket of New Zealand and the mother association is entitled to call on any player under the control of the minor associations for the tests of Dominion supremacy. However, confident in his judgment and fully satisfied that the talent within the city was the best at his command, the Wellington selector this season ignored the claims of any Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay. Wanganui, Taranaki, or Nelson player or players for inclusion in the Wellington Plunket Shield team. That confidence was rudely shattered in the actual Shield games, and he endeavoured to strengthen his precarious position by selecting, what was conceded by his critics, to be a substantially superior combination to oppose Country in the annual game between the representatives of the major association and the minor associations. However, even the strengthened eleven did not prove sufficient to hold the young combination put in opposition to it by the Country selector, and while it was evident to officials of the country associations present at the game that the threat of defeat at the hands of these alleged unknown players from the country was not acceptable to the “heads” of the game in Wellington, the sympathy of the big force of spectators was with the challenging brigade. It is hoped the reverse which Town was compelled to suffer will cause the majority of those officials governing the management of the game in the Empire City to be more generous to country cricket. It will be readily admitted that the splendid victory of. Country was joyously received in the minor associations, it having been felt that a slur had been cast upon country cricket when the Welling Association, in replying to Hawke’s Bay’s and Manawatu’s plea for greater consideration when the selection of the Plunket Shield cricket team was in train, calmly stated that it was their opinion that there were no players in the country worthy of consideration and that' any likely talent should make a point of coming to the cities to make good their claims. Twenty years ago, it would be agreed, cricket in the cities was generally superior to the country standard, but times have changed. To-day,, and indeed for- a number of years past, the High Schools of Palmerston North, Napier, and New Plymouth, together with the Wanganui and Nelson Colleges, have been filling the role of nurseries for the cricket associations in their' midst. These schools and colleges have turned out promising cricketers each year quite on a par with those of Wellington College, the stronghold of secondary school cricket in Wellington; yet the governing authorities have failed, or refused, to recognise the fact. An illustration of what the Palmerston North High School has meant to Manawatu has been strikingly demonstrated in the composition of the team which won the Hawke Cup, for with but two exceptions the members are purely local products. No doubt the troubles of country cricketers are far from over yet, for unless a radical change takes place in the viewpoints of the Wellington officials, it will still be difficult for them to gain the consideration to which the young players of to-day are entitled. SHEER AUDACITY. Reverting to a little ancient history, the writer can well recall the treatment accorded R. J. Hatch, the Manawatu fast bowler, when he was included in the Wellington Plunket Shield team to tour south in the 1933-34 season. Hatch proved his worth in the 'first game he figured in, but because he was not one of the “inner circle” he was omitted from the second game, although, if memory is correct, not only the twelfth man, hut the manager (who was a senior player) took the field, while Hatch was left to enjoy the cricket atmosphere which surrounded him on the grandstand. The Wellington selector of that time (Mr K. _ Tucker) had had a similar experience with touring teams as the result of his selections being amended when away from his control, and it led to his retiring from the position he had so capably filled. Several worthy men who had striven had to gain recognition for the country talent also declined to hold office any longer as a result of the attitude taken by some of their fellows, and Wellington cricket management became all the more poorer in consequence. A typical example of the attitude of the powers. that at present hold the reins in Wellington was forthcoming when nominations were called for the North Island v. South Island cricket fixture. Only 11 players .were required to form the team, but possibly a reserve or two were required, and Wellington had the audacity—it can he termed little less—to nominate 12 players. However, the sting lay in the fact that not one single country player was included. There is a trip to England in the offing for next season and one major association at least was making every endeavour to see that a barrier separated its players from the enterprising players in the country who were anxious to be put to the test. That is all the minor associations seek. A CHILLY ATMOSPHERE.

Much history couid be related relative to the part the Wellington Association has played in encouraging the game in the country areas. All the time T. Lowry, the former Hawke’s Bay representative, was leading the Wellington Plunket Shield team, his expenses were charged to the development of country cricket. The minor associations guight well. say, “Thanks for nothing.” Officials of the Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, and sister associations who attended the past Town v. Country match have little to thank the Wellington officials for; indeed, even the hand of good fellowship was not forthcoming in some instances. To cap matters, “Slip” understands that Mr A. M. Ongley, the sole selector of the Country team, was not extended the compliment of an admission pass to tile game, while an afternoon tea ticket was quite too much to expect. Mr Ongley has given much of his time to the development of country cricket and it is indeed pleasing to find his efforts rewarded, particularly at such a time when a salutary lesson to Wellington was overdue. Naturally, the selection of the 1935 Country team did not meet- with the full approval of all the minor associations —some hoping for greater representation—hut Mr Ongley set out with the intention of selecting a team of young and promising players with one elder player (Lambert) to steady them. That his judgment was sound has been borne out, and the future will no doubt find at least five of those players—Gallicban. Hatch. Cutler (Manawatu). O'Brien (Hawke’s Bay) and Christensen (Taranaki)— receiving greater consideration from the "Wellington selector. The quintette are all of the type well worthy of inclusion in the team which will go to England next season, for they would benefit in experience and be able to pass it on to their fellow players on their return. In the Town v. Country match Gallichan figured prominently in

both the batting and howling departments, returning totals of 68 and 20 with the bat and, after failing to bag a wicket in the first innings, getting four for 14 in the second innings on a wicket which was more to his liking. This was a turning point in the game. Hatch and .Christensen both bore a big part towards Wellington’s defeat, the former capturing five wickets for 101 runs in the two innings, while Christensen took seven for the excellent figure of 130. However, Hatch gave the better performance with the bat. The third Manawatu representative, Cutler, lias been suffering from an injured shoulder of late and it has affected his hatting ability, hut his fighting spirit enabled him to come to the fore in the second innings when the game was hanging in the balance —the third occasion in big cricket this season wherein his play has been a determining factor. O’Brien is a former Wellington Plunket Shield representative, and his totals of 73 and 37 make it apparent that he is still in the first flight of players in the province. Sound judges wfio witnessed the game in Wellington were agreed that the first five Country members were fully the equal of if not superior to the first five Wellington men, while the Country tailend members were vastly superior. The minor associations have certainly gained the right to be given consideration and. for the good of the game, it is to he hoped that this will he shown to them in the future.