COUNTY CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 9

COUNTY CRICKET

IN PARLOUS CONDITION GATE RECEIPTS DECLINING BOWLERS LARGELY TO BLAME (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 10 p.m.) Important recommendations dealing with various problems of county cricket were made by the M.C.C.'s commission, consisting of Messrs W Findlay, R. C. Palairet and R. H. Mallet, assisted by Mr H. D. Bessemer, financial expert. The report states that inter-county cricket from 1934 to 1936 lost £26,873 a year. The receipts for county cricket in 1935 declined by £2600 compared with 1934. while 1936 showed a further decrease of £ 1600. The recommendations include the reduction of first class counties from 17 to 15. which would allow extra representative matches, permitting the best players to play together in preparation for tests, thus raising the standard of English cricket. The report recommends different championship scoring, to produce more finished games. The commission contends that much dull play is due to the bowlers rather than the batsmen. It condemns fast bowlers bowling persistently short with only two fielders in front of the wicket, and believes it would be beneficial if the captains agreed to discourage negative bowling. If there is no improvement it may be necessary to resort to line or lines across the wicket beyond which bowlers are required, under penalty, to pitch the ball.

The commission suggests that county authorities instruct groundsmen to provide wicket conditions more equal to batsmen and bowlers, without being dangerous.