CRICKET AND CRITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 11

CRICKET AND CRITICS

BREACH OF AGREEMENT STATEMENT BY MERRITT REPLY TO MR. DONNELLY W. E. Merritt has written to the Canterbury Cricket Association stating that he is prepared to forgo consideration for selection in the Canterbury representative cricket team if that selection were likely to embarrass the management committee. Merritt stated that the "punishment" for his breach of the agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Council in accepting an engagement in England before the expiry of the two-year term after the New Zealand team's tour had already been imposed by the council, which debarred him from playing in New Zealand representative matches. In view of the criticism of his actions he was prepared to withdraw from interprovincial cricket also if that would save the Canterbury Cricket Association from embarrassment. Replying to Mr. A. T. Donnelly's comments, published in the Herald on November 3, Merritt said that when he went to England with the New Zealand team he had no idea of playing for yiy English club. When the Rishton Club's offer was made to him it was of such a nature that, in view of the prevailing economic conditions, and in view, also, of the fact that the offer fitted in well with business considerations, he felt that it needed serious consideration. Technically, there was a breach of the agreement with the New Zealand Council, but, as he understood it, that agreement was designed principally to prevent members of the team being lost to New Zealand cricket by their taking up positions with county clubs that would keep them in England. When he accepted the Rishton offer, continued Merritt, it was in his mind that, as ho would still bo returning to Now Zealand for the cricket seasons here, he would not be lost to New Zealand cricket. The reason why he had asked tho Rishton Club not to announce the engagement until the team returned to New Zealand was that he wished to be able to assure New Zealand cricket enthusiasts with the announcement that he would be in New Zealand during the summers here. But the news leaked out before the team got back. Even when he went Home last March for his first season with Rishton he did not contemplate staying in England for the New Zealand summer after his second season with Rishton. Tho possibility of his staying in England after this summer has arisen since.