FUTURE OF CRICKET IN N.Z.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 11 June 1945, Page 4

FUTURE OF CRICKET IN N.Z.

DISCUSSION ON PROSPECTS Christchurch, June 8 Though Plunket Shield matches are not likely to be resumed next season, the restoration of pre-war competitions will probably be fully discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council, according to reports made to the council’s half-yearfy meeting held in Christchurch last Bight and presided over by Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Phillipps The management committee chairman. Mr D E. Wanklyn. said he could report no immediate prospects of matches with overseas teams. The programme would be largely governed by the teams available. Mr Foster suggested that the committee should watch closely the possibility of arranging a tour of the provinces by a 2nd N Z E.F. team. There were some outstanding players in the forces and many had gained valuable experience in international matches overseas during the war. A tour by a West Indies team would probably be the most easily arranged in the near future, said Mr Mortlock. It was reported by the treasurer, Mr E. R Caygill, that the present credit balance of £530 w-as the best shown by the council for many years. The couficil had been receiving only about £3O or £4O a year during the war. The allocation by associations of a portion of proceeds of interprovincial matches had greatly assisted, but it had not been possible to augment the overseas travelling fund, in which several thousand bounds, would be required to finance a tour overseas by a New Zealand team. The management committee reported that steps w'ere being taken to introduce a uniform scheme of coaching throughout the Dominion. The production of films of leading New Zealand players in action by the Auckland Cricket Association would help in this respect. Formal approval by the Marylebone Cricket Club to a reversion to the sixball over in New Zealand cricket was received.