CRICKET QUARREL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21540, 11 July 1933, Page 9

CRICKET QUARREL

REVIVAL BY JAEDINE

LEG-THEORY DEFENDED AUSTRALIANS CRITICISED HERO-WORSHIP OF BRADMAN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 0 The captain of the English team of cricketers which recently toured Australia, i\lr. ]). ]{. Jardine, in a book entitled "In Search of the Ashes," with tho sub-title " A Skipper's Log," says: " Tho Australian crowds' misbehaviour and newspaper reactions to it all over the world will inevitably lead to tho question whether tho Anglo-Aus-tralian test matches are to bo continued and whether they are worth while. Much depends on the answer of the Australian authorities to the question -whether they fully sympathise with the crowds, or plead inability to control such 'masters.'

"An arena hitherto sacred to players has been invaded by tho newspapers, broadcasters and spectators, which may prove the death-knell of cricket." Mr. Jardine goes on to comment on tho growth of gambling on players' performances, the Australia hero-wor-ship of Bradman, and lack of appreciation of other men, such as Woodfull.

Tribute to New Zealand Reference is then made to the tour of New Zealand. The writer says: "We frequently received the unpleasant impression that wo were flouting and slighting Australia by the extension of the tour to New Zealand, hut it must surely be common knowledge that my team was not responsible for the programme, while Australia Bhould have been sympathetic to New Zealand's desire to see our representative team. I hope in view of the kindness and warm welcome we received, all future teams will return via New Zealand." Turning to objections to leg-theory bowling Mr. Jardine argues that if a batsman of international class seriously objects to the short, bumping ball, which he cannot cope with by the bat or by leaving it alone, ho would be well advised to consider making way for youthful talent able to deal with it. If a batsman objects to a goodlength rising ball what would ho allow a fast bowler to do? His ability to make a good length ball lift on modern wickets is both rare and one of a bowler's strongest suits. If a bowler is deprived of this right, cricket should not be played with a hard ball. Attack on Barrackers " I am of tho opinion that the modern Australians are scarcely equal to past generations in ability to play fast bowling," says Mr. Jardine. He reviews at considerable length the legtheory aspect of the last tour, defends his bowlers and proceeds to attack the newspapers and other critics. The writer revives his controversy with the Australian Board of Control, and the board's use of tho word " unsportsmanlike." A considerable portion of the book is devoted to a stronglyworded attack on Australian barrackers, their ill manners, and the utter failure of the authorities to control them.