OVERSEAS CRICKETERS IN ENGLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 April 1928, Page 5

OVERSEAS CRICKETERS IN ENGLAND

THEIR QUA LI FTCATION

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON. Ist March. When cricketers from overseas have been brought to this country, with the object of qualifying to take part in the county championship, there have always been protests, and it lias been urged that tile practice should not be permitted. From lhe point of view of t lio players, however, hardship might have been inflicted if hard ami fast restrictions bad been imposed. P.ut the authorities appear at last to have solved I lie nioblcm. They have decided that an overseas player must get the written consent of his State or Dominion to his desire to qualify for an English county before commencing bis qualification. It is a timely decision, even though it may have no immediate application.

But two overseas cricketers are shortly due to arrive. They are C. C. Dacre. the New Zealander, and Arthur Richardson, the Australian. Dane is admittedly coming over to qualify for Gloucestershire, and it follows that he will now have to arm himself with a pci in it. Tt is understood that he comes with Uni good will of the New Zealand authorities, so that the regulation should not interfere with his plans. 11l regard to Ifjelianlson, he has accepted an engagement to play with l!a----ctip. a chili in the* Lancashire League. During his residence lie will, of course, aiilomalically qualify to play with Lancashire. lie declares, however, that lie has no intention ever to play for the county, and there is not the slightest, likelihood of the latter offering him a place in the eleven. It is the declared policy of the club henceforth to rely entirely on La ricash ire-born cricketers. Indeed, the flv in the ointment, at present, is that, during the past two seasons when thev have carried off the. chamnionsliip. Lancashire have been largely helped by Macdonald, tin* Australian fast howler. No more, they say, will thev seek outside assistance.