CRICKET.

NZ Truth, Issue 117, 14 September 1907, Page 3

CRICKET.

■ ■ ♦. ■ * !'iT;'i XBy Scoutfc !. P^' 1 ;

Major 'Phillip "Trevor,- who will manage the Marylebone C.C. team when it visits Australia this year is a very clever writer on matters pertaining to cricket, and his book, "The Side of Cricket," is highly entertaining and instructive. At various times we have quoted from it m these 'columns. His latest book is entitled "The Problems of Cricket." H.- E. Bates, a son of the late genial Billy Bates, who visited Australia with the teams of '81, '82, '84, '86, and '87, and who had the misfortune to lose the sight of ane of his eyes through a hit from a ball whilst practising on the Helbourne ground, has just been given a trial m the Yorkshire second XI. v; Northumberland. He showed that he was a chip of the old block by scoring 126 not out. The South Africans received £1030 as their share of the gate m the first test game, which was played at Lord's, on July Ist, and was abanoned through rain. Jim Mack-ay has a rival Richmond m the field m the person of Hitch, the new Surrey blower, who has been nicknamed "Sunny Jim" on. account of his perpetual smile. The New South Cricket Association is inviting applications from honorary umpires. At present the Association ,has a deficit of about £600. But at the close of the season, if m funds— as it ought to be after the 'matches of .the English team— it is intended to recoup the umpires for their out-of-pocket expenses. . . G-eorge Hirst expresses the opinion that the trip to Australia with art Kurdish team deserves remuneration to the extent of £400.. m addition toi all expenses. From the point of view of the professional who is a champion. Hirst is justified m holding such an opinion. But the ordinary player is well recompensed by £300 clear of all 'expenses for a trip to that country. Time was when English professional teams could not

mafeo ends oipet on; such a trip,, let alone have a handsome dividend. The Petone and Thorndon Clubs are likely to go m for senior honors this season. The opposition to having extra senior .clubs m the competition at the annual meeting is toot likely to happen again, the objector:-; seeing" the error of their ways. Eight senior teams r/ould mean the use of four wickets each Saturday* It is considered unlikely that No. 3 pitch on the Basin will be used again for senior matches. A wicket at Petone would only "be used for a senior contest if a good one was m charge of a tempetent groundsman. A. T. Bate is still strongly m favor of senior games 'being contested on the Park. Probably at least one wicket will be used there .this season. Bert Salmon is giving up the secretaryship of, the Cricket Association through pressure of work, but he is keen on getting a place on time Management Committee. The balance-sheet of the Cricket Association s is likely to show a debit af £50 to £100 owing mainly to loss on the M.C.C. matches and local competitions, which swamped all the reserve fund of about £300. Some of it-he- sports -bo-dies here do not treat 'the Cricket Association with a great amount of courtesy. A small charge is made for the use of ticket boxes at sports meetings, but one club has nor yet paid for its last meeting. The innocent, will proqa/bly suffer also mow, for it is likely a stifter charge will be made m future, and made payable m advance. There is a matter of about £80 outstanding fees by clubs. This is a really serious matter for the association to have so much money out, and the committee will have to faoo the matter very promptly and not deal so leniently with clu-bs m future.. It may seem a very hard thing to have to suspend a club for a few unpaid fees, but it is the only way out of tho difficulty. The same thing oQcurs season after season, and it is about time a stop was put to it. . The question of district cricket will again be introduced at the annual meeting, but it is not likely to meet with many supporters this time, principally owing to the fact that Midlands , were ousted from the honors which they hefd so long. The most serious questions for the annual meeting of the CricketAssocia^ion are :— Q) Finance to assist, which the Association must canvass for hon. members, and m addition endeavor ,to charge admission for say, two or three cup matches ; (2) the 'question of so many other sport bodies utilising the Basin Reserve. Ken Tucker, so report says, was approached by four clubs with a view of securing' his services for the season, but has decided to adhere to his n resent love, Old Boys. Midland will have the services of Patrick, the Canterbury representative, should that player remain here. Should Thorndon .be granted senior status, Thomas, a nlaver who has taken part m Sydney first grade contests, will likely pive the northenders the benefit of his services. Stan Brice's defection will weaken Phoenix, which is hoping to renlace him with Moore, of Johnsonville. Fisher, a brother of A. I-T. Fisher, the Otago and New Zealand ren. will be found m the Wellington Club ranks this season. The newcomer, who has plavcd for . Cayisbrook 'Dunedin) and United ("Christ-: church)) is a fair change bowler.