CRICKET TOURS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22718, 2 November 1935, Page 2

CRICKET TOURS

INDIANS AND TEST TEAM RESUMPTION OF AUSTRALIAN VISITS " Four New Zealand games have been arranged against the touring M.C.C. team this season," says the annual report of the New Zealand Cricket Council. "A suggestion has been made that the Plunket Shield matches should be reduced by one day or one or two matches abandoned. The committee would regret any interference with the Plunket Shield games this year, but this matter is one for the decision of the major associations. The question of leave for players will come up for discussion at the annual conference. We must always remember that our young men should not be asked to prejudice their future and business prospects by giving too much time to the game. If New Zealand players are not available for all matches during the season, the committee is sure it will have the support of the associations in asking for the first call on players' services for the four New Zealand games." The report, which will be presented at the annual meeting of delegates next Friday in Christchurch, adds that the M.C.C. side ia a young and powerful one," and it is certain that the tour will be successful. FUTURE TOURS. Next season, 1936-37, the English test team to Australia will come to New Zealand in March. The committee is in negotiation through Mr Sims with the Maharajah of Nawanagar for a visit from an Indian team in December, 1936. The arrangements are not yet quite concluded, but the committee hopes that the tour will take place. It will be confined to New Zealand, and there is a possibility that Duleepsinhji will be a member of the team. If he does come he will be assured of a warm welcome again in this country. , It is hoped that Australian visits will be resumed in the season 1937-38. At the biennial conference, the Management Committee of the council will ask the major associations to consider, the suggestion that representatives of the major associations should confer in Christchurch at least once or perhaps twice a year with the committee to discuss problems affecting the major associations alone. The Plunket Shield last season, states the report, was won by Canterbury, their two outright wins in Christchurch being the deciding factor. The slip fielding of the winners was the best that has been seen in New Zealand for many years." FINANCE.

In regard to finance, the committee says:—"The annual accounts reflect the preliminary expenses already incurred in connection with the M.C.C. tour, otherwise the only matter calling for any comment is that the loss for the year on the council's operations was largely caused by the unfortunate financial result of the North v. South Island match." The balance sheet shows that expenditure for the year ended September 30, 1935, totalled £369, including £97, loss on the North v. South match. There was a deficiency for the year's working of £ll6.

In the general account, the main assets shown are £990 in the Post Office Savings Bank, and £4OOO set aside as a special touring reserve fund, but the sum of £1193 has already been spent in preliminary expenses (fares, exchange and cablegrams) in connection with the coming M.C.C. tour.