THE SPORTING WORLD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 July 1938, Page 11

THE SPORTING WORLD

VARIETY OF PARS FROM HERE AND THERE By “ERA”

Played to a Finish There is some confusion among cricket followers concerning the conditions that govern the playing-out or otherwise of the fifth test of the present series between England and Australia. The five tests, it was laid down before the tour started, should be of four days’ duration, but a conditional arrangement was attached that if, after the conclusion of the fourth test match, the difference in matches was not greater than one, the final encounter would be played to a finish. The four-day proviso coincides with that for the previous tour in 1934, but the conditional airangement is a new one. In 1934, the arrangement was that the last match should be played to a finish if neither side had won two matches or if the results were even. W.ith the third test not played, whatever happens in the fourth test at Leeds, the first test set down for the Surrey Oval, and to commence on 20th August will be played to a finish. Another point is that, if Australia lose the fourth test and win the final test, they will draw the rubber and retain the ashes. American Views N.Z. Athletics Writing in the sporting section of the Los Angeles Times,” under the caption “Fitch Reports on New Zealand Track,' the well-known sporting authority Braven Dyer had the following:— “Al” Fitch, former sprint and 440yds star on the University of Southern California track team, is carving out an interesting career for himself in New Zealand, where he has been imported as the first professional coach evei hired to aid the cinder-track sports, and also to build up a general physical education programme. Al recently returned here (Los Angeles) for a few months’ vacation, but he will go back to New Zealand in September under a new one-year contract. While stationed last winter in Wellington the former Trojan coached the New Zealand team into the championsmp of tne British Empire Games, which w„.e held at Sydney, Australia His biggest job, though, was organising recreational and physical education activities for tne New Zealand youth, and in doing this he introduced methods used in the Los Angeles school and municipal playground systems. All foot racing in New Zealand i on grass, and in track-and-field meets they usually add men s cycling, sprint races and jumping for women, and sometimes also a dash of boxing, wrestling and horse racing. According to Al, New Zealand athletes are strongest in the mile, where they have produced Jack Lovelock and numerous other outstanding performers, and weakest in the field events, where they nave little knowledge of technique and poor pit facilities tor jumping and vaulting. Ail Blacks in Australia The All Blacks nave won 15 times in 25 international games played with Australia since 1903; Australia has won eight times and two games have been drawn. In recent tours the honours have been slightly in Australia’s favour, although New Zealand, by virtue of two wins in 1936. at present holds the handsome Bledisloe Cup. presented by the former Governor-General, Viscount Bledisloe. tor competition between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. Of the 10 games played since 1929, Australia has won 5, New Zealand 4, and one has been drawn. The 1929 series was a disaster for the All Blacks, who were defeated in all three Tests. This series was the first played between the two countries for fifteen years. The first Australia-New Zealand Tests were played in 1903. and up to 1914, out of 14 games, New Zealand lost only two, one being drawn.

Three Tests will be played on. the coming tour, the first and third at Sydney on 23rd July and 13th August respectively, and the second at Brisbane on t6h August. Six other matches will be played, the opening game being against New South Wales on 16*th July.

The team assembled in Wellington last Wednesday and sailed for Sydney by the Wanganella on the following day. It comprises 25 players—l 3 forwards and 12 backs. The joint managers are Dr. J. G. Adams, of Vfcmganui, and Mr A. McDonald, of Wellington.

Ladies’ Hockey To-day the English women’s hockey j team met New Zealand in the second j of three tests to-be played during thistour. The game was played at Wanga- i nui The first test was won by England 4-1 played at Christchurch on the sixth of this month. honours between the two countries were even when the present tour start, ed In the last series in 1914 each side had won one match, and the third was drawn. In the first game, England won bv 6 goals to 5 after an exciting, high scoring contest. The second went to New Zealand by 3 goals to 1, and the third was drawn 1-all. The New Zealand team consists of some really good players. Some who are outstanding are Miss M. Rhind (Canterbury), probably the best goalkeeper seen for a long time. The full backs—Misses A. McDonald (Eastern Southland) and W. Woolley (Marl-borough)--were very good, and the former probably has no equal in the Dominion. Of the halves Misses A. Mackie (Otago) and M. Sanson (Eastern) toured Australian and played against the Fijians. They are both sound on defence and know the game thoroughly. The other half is Miss S. Aldridge (Canterbury) one of the best that province has produced for several seasons. In the forwards Miss M. Nicol (Eastern captain) is a fine player on the right wing. The play of Miss M. McKenzie (Canterbury) in Australia made her name. Miss M. Sheriff (Eastern) represented New Zealand against Fiji in 1936. Miss H. McLellan (Wellington) and Miss D. Dickey (Canterbury) complete the forward line. Miss McLellan ? cored New Zealand’s only goal in the last test. Of the English side, Nelsonians will remember their great game here when they beat the local team 10-0. They have not been beaten on the tour, but Wellington drew—no score. An exciting and interesting game should be the result of to-day’s encounter.

Uncertainty The third Test between England and Australia was abandoned owing to bad weather. If the game had been started on any of the first three days there would have been a tricky question to answer for the captain who won the toss. The point to decide would have been whether the wicket was good or “dead” and easy for batsmen. In circumstances like these there is always the possibility of the captain who wins the toss making an error in his judgment of what the wicket may do after rain. It will be remembered that at Leeds in 1926 there was heavy rain on the eve of the third Test, and on the day of play the sun shone brightly. A. W. Carr won the toss for England, and. deeming that the wicket would be drying and tricky, sent Australia to bat first. In the first over Bardsley was caught off the first ball, and Macartney was missed off the fifth, and then, when it looked as if Carr had made the right decision, Woodfull and Macartney settled down to put on 235 runs, and Australia made 494. There was nothing wrong with the wicket, and England never forgave Carr.

"Do’s and Don’t’s” Each Australian cricketer selected for the present tour of England had to sign a contract drawn up by the Australian Board of Control before he could become officially a member of the team. This agreement sets out that a player: Must not be accompanied on the tour by his wife, any member of his family, or any relative; nor may his wife or any of his children be in England or elsewhere outside Australia where team may be touring; Must live together in such places as manager shall appoint; Must attend all functions designated official; Must return to Australian with team; Shall not write or cause to be written any article in any newspaper or book, or accept broadcasting employment; Shall not sell or permit the sale of his autograph, appear at any theatre or music hall, arrange for making records or films, or give lectures. No player other than the captain, with the appioval of the manager, shall directly or indirectly communicate with the Press or give any information concerning matters connected with the tour.

Breaches of any of these conditions render a player liable to suspension from the team, ‘and being ordered to return home, besides having to forfeit all claims to payment for tour. Each player shall be entitled to receive £6OO for the tour. Of this £IOO was paid before embarkation, £350 is to be paid while in England, and £l5O on returning to Australia. In addition there is an allowance of £SO to cover expenses for tram and taxi fares to and from hotels and grounds.