COLONIAL CRICKETERS

Northern Advocate, 22 April 1933, Page 12

COLONIAL CRICKETERS

THE BEST AVAILABLE

LANC ASHI RE OP PICT AI. ’S

STATEMENT,

The interesting statement that the Canterbury cricketers who are now on their way to England, to take up engagements as professionals to clubs in the Lancashire Cricket Longue, are not to receive as much pay as would be given to English professionals was, in effect, made recently by the seme(arv of one of-the clubs concerned.

At a meeting of the Lancashire County Cricket Club Lord Hawke, who takes a keen interest in New Zealand cricket, had criticised the importation of overseas players by the Lancashire League. “What ie the necessity,” he asked, “for this importation of colonial players to the detriment of international cricket? Has the league no pride in birth-qualification, and is the cricket success of a club to bo dependent on each vying with the other as to who can buy the greatest staff? We may ’yet learn that Grimmett Avill come over. No eooner had Noaa’ Zealand placed herself in the Test-match arena than three of her most prominent players"—Blunt, Merritt, and (.Tomb —Avere taken from lief.”

One may not?, in passing, that Lord Hawke's reference to R. C. Blunt should not ho interpreted as indicating that he was under the erroneous impression that Blunt had gone into league cricket. Blunt will be playing for Sir Julien Calm's team in Notts, and Lord Hawke’s remark about clubs ‘‘each vying with the other as to who can buy the greatest staff” probably was meant to refer to Blunt.

In a Manchester paper C. A. Milford, who is secretary of the East Lancashire Cricket Club —which has engaged I. B. Crcmb—and who is also a member of the committee of the Lancashire Club, replied to Lord Hawke's ~ , # criticism.

“Lord Hawke seems to be looking at tliis matter as if cricket is merely a pastime," said Milford. “These people whom Hie Lancashire League engages regard if as a means of earning their livelihood. Lord Hawke can be assured that all English cricketers of any repute have been asked to come into the Lancashire League. We have not got colonials because we prefer colonials, but because the English professionals appear to be satisfied with their present jobs. As we are out to got the best talent possible, we are obliged to go to our. colonial cousins because they are the best men available. Our league clubs have offered English county players more in actual emoluments than we are paying to -South Africans, New Zealanders, or West Indians.’' *

I). O. Bradman, of course, Avould he an exception to Milford's remarks.