CRICKET MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10540, 17 March 1920, Page 8

CRICKET MATTERS

PI.UNKET SHIELD MATCHES ALTERATIONS IN PRESENT SYSTEM. ' Tho management committee of the Wellington Cricket Association mex last evening, when there ..were present: Mr C. G. Wilson (chairman), and Messrs J. Fanning, W. G. Hughes, J. Crombie, D. ■ MoKenzie, R. S. Johnston and V. B. Willis (secretary). JUNIOR CRICKET,

Messrs K. MGrphy and J.! Lynam, comprising a sub-committee, submitted several suggestions with a view of improving the junior and lower grade cricket. The committee discussed the recommendations, and decided to refer the. matter to the rulea committee.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATQKES. The meeting -went on to consider a communication received from- the New Zealand Cricket Council with regard to the Plunkefc Shield representative matches. . Tho council proposed certain alterations in the present system in connection with the matches. There was no doubt, it was stated, that in the past the keen competition for the possession of the Plunkef Shield had been the means of stimulating great interest in the shield matches, but it had been apparent that other interprovincial matches had to.somo extent suffered in comparison. * . The council forwarded the following suggested new rule:— "The Plunkct Shield shall bo held by the team winning the greatest, number of matches in a competition for the same. In the .event of. an equal number of wins the competition shall be decided on tho rules governing tho Sheffield Shield competition. Tho competition to be played on the following lines:' (a) It shall bo connnod to tho Auckland, "Wellington, Canterbury, and Otbago associations; (b) each team shall play every other team each season: (c) tho competition shall bo inaugurated by all competing excepting Otago travelling south during tho 1920-21 season} in tho following season all competing teams except Auckland shall (travel north." t • , The oouncil also recommended proposed"' alterations to rule 12, providing for tho net takings to be divided as follows: 60 per cent, to bo retained by tho looal association; 30 per cent. .to visiting association; and.lo per cent, to the >"ew Zealand Cricket Council. The chairman thought the proposed alterations were" excellent. As an addition, ho moved: "That with regard to tho'vexed question of luncheon adjournments in representative matches, plav should commence at 11 a.m. _fo 130 p.m., adjourning to 2.30 p.m. for lunch, and resuming at 2.30, playinc until 6 p.m., omitting the afternoon tea adjournment/' . This was seconded and carried.