GAME IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18942, 13 February 1925, Page 9

GAME IN AUSTRALIA.

COVERING THE WICKETS. EFFECT ON THE PLAYERS* A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Feb. 12. The collapse of tho Victorian eleven against England on a wet wicket has revived the controversy concerning the Australian custom of covering the wicket in Sheffield Shield matches and the bad displays given by tho Australian cricketers this season on rain-damaged pitches. Cricket enthusiasts are inclined to be dubious about an Australian tour of England next year. They claim that the practice of covering the wicket has had a deterrent effect on Australian batsmen. .. It is pointed out that the bowler is always a sufferer on a covered wicket where rain has delayed play, because ho must grip and bowl a greasy ball to batsmen who are playing on a pitch like a billiard table. In England the wickets arc not covered and tho batsmen have therefore no artificial aids to success. Prominent players hold that bowlers should be considered. Australian bowlers would lack experience if they had to bowl on rain-damaged wickets in England. The suggestion is made that the wickets in Sheffield Shield matches next season should be left uncovered. This would enable Australians to enter tho field in England better equipped for their fight to retain the ashes.