TEST CRICKET MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23107, 4 August 1938, Page 7

TEST CRICKET MOVE

MORE FREQUENT TOUKS ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA SERIES VISITS EVERY THREE YEARS A proposal that tost matches shoukl be played in England and Australia every throe years, instead of four, as at present, is strongly favoured in England, states a correspondent of tho Melbourne Herald. It would not surprise nio if feelers are put out to tho Australian Board of Control on the question.

Officials aro, quietly discussing the position. 1 understand they aro becoming tired of continual visits by .minor cricketing countries for second-rato tests, which are not worthy of tho name.

Jhe AVest Indies, New Zealand and, to a lesser degree, South Africa, should not rank with England and Australia, it is considered, and the feeling is becoming general that more frequent visits from and to Australia, and fewer from and to other countries, would benefit cricket in England, financially and otherwise.

1 think the plan is an excellent one. It would certainly benefit tho counties, who depend on the Australian tours for finance. I don't think Australian cricketers would object to more frequent visits, and tho suggestion is certainly worth serious consideration. 'lhere is still animated discussion about a substitute test for the Manchester "wash-out." Some take tho view that as tho test did not begin it comes under a different category from a drawn test. One official pointed out that, if rain caused the abandonment of a fixture in other sports, it was set down for a later date. It will probably bo shown that the prosposal is impracticable, but discussion swings always to the agreement that tests in futuro tours jnust be played out, allowing a full week for tho game, beginning on a Saturday. Public feeling in favour of this arrangement is growing, and must eventually sving the "die-hards" into lino.