Hooting Incident Called “Unsporting”

Northern Advocate, 6 January 1948, Page 3

Hooting Incident Called “Unsporting”

DUNEDIN, Tue. (Sp.)—“Cricket and sportsmanship are so inseparably associated that the demonstration by a section of the public at Carisbrook on Saturday against the dismissal of Mills must have shocked all true lovers of the game.” The Dunedin Star says this in a subleader headed “Not Cricket,” in which comment is made on the hooting and leering by the crowd following an umpire’s decision which favoured Auckland in the Plunket Shield match at Carisbrook. "No one minds a few pleasantries from the crowd," the article continues. “Indeed a bit of advice from across the fence is often valuable in reminding batsmen that they should put a little positive action into their play. "But there was nothing of that friendly barracking spirit in the behaviour of Saturday’s demonstrators. “Whether Mills’ dismissal came about through a mistaken decision about a catch or not is immaterial. IVIOB RULE FAILS

“The point is that the decision was for the umpire and should have been accepted in the spirit of cricket. “The action of a section of the crowd in demonstrating against the decision was bad enough. “To carry that bad sportsmanship to the length of booing Cowie each time he made his run to the wicket for several subsequent overs was inexcusable. “At least this attempt at mob rulefailed and Cowie had the satisfaction of taking the two remaining wickets. “Plunket Shield cricket is intended to promote friendly inter-provincial rivalry in which the game is set far above the prize. MORE MATCHES TO COME “Another Plunket Shield match has yet to be played in Dunedin this season and thousands of football enthusiasts are looking forward eagerly to some rousing contests in defence of the Ranfurly Shield later in this centennial year. “It would be a thousand pities if a few loud-mouthed, one-eyed supporters were allowed to mar the spirit of any further sporting contest.’’