CRICKET NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21731, 21 February 1934, Page 14

CRICKET NOTES

INTERFERENCE WITH PLAY

QUESTION OF ONE-DAY GAMES

ADOPTION IN CANTERBURY

Wet weather, with the resultant postponement of matches, has made the present club cricket season easily one of the most unsatisfactory experienced for many years. On five days during • the season the rain has seriously interfered with play and, as a result, teams competing in the first grade championship of the Auckland Cricket Association have had little chance of getting into form or revealing their true strength. With so many of the sides of fairly even calibre, keen competition was anticipated in the fight for the premiership, but the prevalence of drawn matches, owing to the inclement weather, has given teams very little chance of enhancing their prospects, especially as tho end of the season is rot for off. Arising out of this, it is interesting to note that at even this late stage of the season no team has been successful in securing an outright win.

The question of one-day matches linder the present rules, a somewhat tore point at present, is liable to bocome /an even more controversial matter if the variable weather continues. The indecisive nature of these games is proving a source of great irritation to players, and it appears that the association, even at the expense of allowing its rules to guide it instead of dominate it, must make an amendment to its policy. No Competitive Interest

If the playing of one-day games in the event of wet. weather must be adhered to, let tho rules governing these contests be made so as to give teams an jequal chance as well as bring out the best in the game. At the present time, it would appear, the toss of the coin decides which team will have an afternoon's batting practice,, minus any competitive interest. In reply to complaints from three clubs /against the association's policy, the governing body has simply advised the objectors to air their grievances at the next annual general meeting. Tho next annual meeting is a long way off, however, and in the meantime must cricketers suffer a procedure which is patently unpopular? Coming even closer to the hearts of those who manage Auckland cricket, it should be mentioned that the public also feels the futility of watching matches in which there is very littlo prospect of a decision. Time Apportioned Equally

Again, if one-day contests are a necessity owing to the desire of the association to conform to a set progi amine, then let the time available for such games be apportioned equally. A proposal on these lines came before the association, but received scanty consideration. Nevertheless, this seems the only feasible method. Under those conditions the team gaining the most number of runs mil merit a decision and batsmen may be tempted to show some initiative, a characteristic which is not a dominant one in Auckland cricket;,/ .

Pertinent to the present position in Auckland is the recent decision of the Canterbury Association to hold oneday matchos next season in all grades at the completion of the first round. The competitions -will be deemed to be closed at the end of the first round, and the one-day matches will be playod with the object of brightening the game "and consequently meriting mora public attention. Mr. W. H. Winsor, who presided at the meeting of the Canterbury Association, mentioned that there have already been several discussions on thu proposal. To his mind there were three main points in favour of one-day cricket. Those were:—Brighter play, improved finance and more attraction to the spectators. / Thrilling Finishes

•Admitting that the play in the matches in Canterbury this season bad "been very attractive, Mr. Winsor asserted that, instead of having thrilling finishes once every two weeks, such could be witnessed each .week under the new method of deciding the games.

While two or three members on the committee were opposed to the idea, the fact that one-day matches had not been tried and the possibilities of such, -as quoted by those sponsoring the new style of play, proved intriguing enough for them to cast their votes in favour of the proposal. An interesting point raised was that one-day matches, having the effect of putting hitters at a premium, would inculcate a habit which would not suit Blanket Shield cricket. Against this was put forward that only 11 players would be affected, and the quality of cricket would adjust itself. Mr. Winsor stated that Bradman, and many other back-country men who had played big cricket in New South Wales, had learned the game in oneda y matches. The decision to try the new style of play was made by 20 votes to 8. Suburban Matches

There was not a. groat deal of interest ill the Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association's senior grade matches on Saturday, mainly owing tq. play being confined to the one day. The crowd was larger than usual,' but everybody was disappointed when rain spoiled a keen struggle between R.Y. and Harbour Board. The former was in a bad position at one stage, when fivo wickets were down tor 45 runs. The score was eventually carried to 140 for the loss of six wickets. It was; possible for Harbour Board to have made the runs in the remaining 95 minutes of play. The other two matches / had open appearances when rain caused play to cease. The association will need to review the further possibilities of rain, as the championship is likely to be undecided. There was no apparent reason why last Saturday's matches could not have commenced as a whole series, and the sf-cond day played on Saturday next. Many players were dissatisfied with last Saturday's arrangements before play commenced.