NEW ZEALAND CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17761, 21 April 1921, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND CRICKET.

MR. RANSFORD'S VIEWS,

POOR PUBLIC SUPPORT. l*Y TELEGRAPH.-—rBESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRTSTCHURCH. Wednesday. Prior to leaving New Zealand Mr. Ransford, captain of the Australian team, was requested by Mr. Heathcote Williams, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, to give his opinion as to "how the cricket of the Dominion could be improved. Mr. Ransford's letter was read at, a meeting of the Cricket Council to-night as follows:—

" In the first place I should liko (o say that though my team has gone through New Zealand without defeat I have observed a great improvement in the game since I was last in the Dominion. I think, however, a great advance would bo made in the game if the New Zealand public took more interest in it than they appear to do. Coming from Australia, where we have thousands of keen supporters, of both se.xes, the lack of interest here has been very noticeable and perhaps the public will pardon me if on fhe eve of my departure from this charming country, I appeal to them to give their cricketers more financial support. I suggest that each citizen who loves good clean sport, should become an honorary member of the local association. If assistance were thus given thoso in coutrol of the game would soon be in a position to obtain better grounds than exist at present. It is absolutely essential that the best possible grounds and wickets should be obtained, as tlie game cannot bo played properly unless this is done. It is obvious that the time to learn to play cricket is during one's schooldays. and consequently the more the game is encouraged in the schools the better will be the status of the Dominion's cricketers. " It would be a great advantage to a school if it had a sports master who was qualified to teach the boys how to plav. They should also be encouraged to practise regularly and systematically, for it is only those who follow this course who become proficient. A game if worth playing at all is worth playing well. The'so remarks in regard to practice apply to all players of whatever rank, and every association should insist on its players making themselves thoroughly efficient" and when once efficiency is obtained the public will begin to take greater interest. I would also urge the necessity of securing a professional coach in each district. If a good coach is obtained, his training would not fail to improve your cricket, if his advice was _ followed, combined with regular practice. "I think much good would result if important matches were played at regular intervals. This would give your cricketers something to look forward to and to-prac-tise for. I have noticed in a good many instances that New Zealand batsmen are too anxious to make runs early in their innings. This is a mistake, unless the bowling is weak. If the bowling is good, the batsman should play himself in before attempting "to make runs except off loose bowling. Runs will come quickly when once a batsman's eye is in, and patience is necessary until that time arrives. Then there are many cases where the position of a match requires that a defensive game should be played, and in such circumstances no other course should be followed. I am very anxious to see New Zealand cricket go ahead, and it is with this object I have written before returning to Australia." It was decided to forward copies of the letter to all associations and schools.