THE CRICKET SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9187, 17 October 1888, Page 6

THE CRICKET SEASON.

TO THE EDITOR. S l r j —Will you kindly allow me to make a few remarks re our cricket, which, as it should, will engage the attention of very many people during the next few months. Auckland is to be congratulated on possessing a very picturesque, excellent, and convenient cricket ground, and all efforts should be made by the people generally to have everything connected with it in a condition befitting ite surroundings. The pavilion ought to be made suitable for the reception of ladiee. At present it is no'D. Of course the game is not played solely to please the ladies ; but it strikes me that a man, especially a young man, will be most likely to play a really good game when he knows that fond eyes are watching him. If he makes a good score he is naturally pleased, but that is as nothing to the merry twinkle in the eye of her who welcomes her hero. In the case of defeat her ready sympathy consoles him and gives him fresh life. Nice cosy seats should be liberally distributed on the grassy slopes, and every step taken to make visitors feel that their presence is appreciated. Surely funds can easily be provided to meet any desirable expenditure. Young men don't appear to be in want of money, if one may judge from the reported attendances at the more expensive and certainly less invigorating and manly amusement of rinking. I feel certain that if the members of the numerous clubs were appealed to they could not possibly refuse to practice; it may be a little self-denial, and see that those gentlemen who are responsible for the condition of the ground have the means to make all reasonable improvements or addition. What a pity there is no instructor on the ground. Looking at the play this afternoon, whether in the matches or at the nets, one was pained to observe so much ignorance of the approved methods of batting and fielding. There was no wrist play. The batsman's left hand was as rigid as the handle of his bat. In consequence it was almost impossible to see a man playing with an upright bat. He was therefore all the more unreliable. Few, if any, apparently thought that their feet had much to do with the game except for the purpose of running after making a drive that should have shocked them trom the bad style of play. It was simply painful to notice how some disregarded the importance of the right foot, and ludicrous in the extreme to see the absurd antics of men who kept springing from the right to the left foot, and occasionally 'it-scribing a, semi-circle with either as a centre. Little did they think of the value in a match of keeping the eye on the partner. The wicket-keep-era had a bad time of it; the ball was thrown in, by all the clubs I saw playing, in a most perfunctory manner. Why do the clubs not levy a fine upon every man who does not throw in the ball while aiming at the breast of the wicket-keeper ? The men should practice at a mark, ao that when they take the field they may not, by their inexperience, compel the man at the wicket: to leave his ground. If our young Aucklanders are to become good cricketers, they should from the very start accustom themselves to play with leggings,gloves, and spiked boots (not shoes). A man is less likely to be injured when provided with these, and he gains confidence. Occasional use of part of these is not to be commended. The veteran Yates was put out to-day by

an easy ball, simply, as I am told, he said, because he slipped. He had no spikes, and he deserved, I say, to be out. Tennis or running shoes should be abandoned at cricket. A substantial rap over the toe may make a man a very fanky and unreliable player throughout the season. Then, if the cricketer wishes to get all the pleasure and profit he can from the game, he ought to dress in flannel. He looks spruce and businesslike, and by appearing in suitable costume he shows his respect for the club to which he has the honour to belong, and for whose reputation he is prepared to fight in all respects like a man. Clubs ought to be extremely careful in training men to be umpires, whoee judgment should be well known and respected, and whose decision should be final. No discussion should take place as I saw this afternoon in various parts of the field as to his decision. Let the captain protest and get in his next man. Our youngsters can't do better than watch the batting of such men as Mumford, Arneil, Lynch, Yates, and Reid. These gentlemen may sometimes, and do, play carelessly ; but, if they know that young eyes are watching their eveiy movement with a view to imitate them, t.hey will be the less likely to err in the future. There was one very promising bowler who %vas playing in a match umpired by Mr. Logan. I do not know his name. He is tall, and is well worth looking after. With the exception of this gentleman, I did not see a single bowler who did not make more use of his body than of his head. Rapidity is not so very valuable, and young bowlers should be cautioned. Perhaps you will allow me to make a few additional remarks on our cricket a little later on in the season, when our men havo got fairly into harness. I most sincerely wish them a pleasant, safe, aud unprecedentedly successful season.—l am, &c, H.