BUYING A CRICKETER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20968, 3 September 1931, Page 8

BUYING A CRICKETER.

It is reported that the political situation in Britain is rivalled in public interest there by the attempt of a Lancashire cricket club to buy an eminent Australian batsman —the most eminent, it may be added, which accounts for the size of the stir. If Bradman—this unadorned naming of him is justified in cricket circles both by his achieved greatness and the possibility of his becoming a confirmed professional—should accept the offer, there will be regret in both countries concerned. Even the purchasing Lancashire club may rue the deal, whatever pleasure it may now have in the expectation of a good bargain; and Bradman 'himself would probably have some gloomy second thoughts. For the weight of declared British opinion, to say nothing of Australian, is against the transaction. There is nothing to be said in condemnation of it as a purely business arrangement. Indeed, it comes well within the four corner* «f the rules governing tho county contests. Accepting the offer, Bradman would qualify, after the 1932 season, to play for Lancashire and so for England. In the interval, while his residential qualification was being earned, he would be a very useful coach. This is all according to rule. Something can be said, too, for the arrangement as one of business shrewdness on both sides. Even cricketers and cricket clubs are human, and fully entitled to look after their own interests in a game that has long made in England a spacious if subordinate place for paid players. But is there nothing more to be said? It is being said, in very plain terms, by some leading cricket enthusiasts. They frankly view the action of the club with reprobation and are openly hoping that Bradman will not accept the offer. To strengthen English cricket by all fair means, especially against Australia, is a natural wish on the part of its authorities and chief exponents, but they baulk at this deliberate enticement of their foe's leading batsman to desert to their own ranks. And well they may. This sort of thing is calculated to rob the famous struggle for the "ashes" of all its splendour. After making every allowance for every argument justifying professionalism in sport, it does not seem to be "cricket." It is to be hoped that Bradman, though now apparently undecided, will meet this "googly" with a straight bat.