WAR AND CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 15

WAR AND CRICKET

PROPOSED TEST TOUR PROMINENT OFFICIAL'S VIEWS "Many people would not forgive tho English cricketers if they left the fighting forces to play in tests," said Sir Stanley Jackson, president of Yorkshire Club and a former English captain and selector. He was commenting on a suggestion in the London Star that cricketers should be released from service to carry out the Australian tour, including the tests, next winter. The Star stated that the tour would be a grand tonic to the Empire. It would raise money to assist impoverished English counties and increase Bed Cross funds, besides rewarding the Australians who were concentrating to see Britain through the war.

In reply, Sir Stanley Jackson said: "Unless cricketers arc withdrawn from the forces we will be unable to field an adequate team. If servicemen were released it would be necessary for the team to leave for Australia in September, when most likely there will be the gravest peril on the Western Front. "Show me an English cricketer wishing to leave England during the Empire's peril. Shortly we will all be concerned with warfare rather than cricketing. Also it is most likely that many Australian cricketers will be serving in the forces, similar to the last. war. "■I certainly would never ask men who have enlisted to serve their country on the battlefields to resign on behalf of cricket." Emphasising that Australia must officially invite the M.C.C. to send a team to Australia before the matter could seriously be considered. Sir Btanley said he was convinced that an invitation would not be sent.