CRICKET SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24732, 8 October 1941, Page 7

CRICKET SEASON

OPENING ON OCTOBER 25 ONE-DAY MATCHES HOURS OF PLAY ISSUE The cricket season in Dunedin will open on October 25. and one-day matches will be played as the result of decisions reached last night at the first meeting for the season of the Otago Cricket Association. A special committee-was appointed to arrange details, and a recommendation was submitted to it that the hours of play should be from 1.30 to 6.30 p.m., and that the time should be equally divided. Members present at the meeting were: Messrs F. N. Binney (in .the chair), A H. Allen, G. J. Robertson. L. J. Groves, G. McGregor. J. M. Kennedy, T. Hughes, H. D. Kerr, J. A. Robson, T. Grant, A. G. Valentine, E. H. Downes. C. R. Gaylor. A. R. Knight, W. R. Brinsley, E. Hayes. W. A. Rowland. H. Harvey, and W. S. Armitage. “We have no option in the matter, especially lifter the guide that was given from the annual meeting,"‘said Mr Valentine. moving that one-day matches be played. Mr Robertson suggested that one-day matches should be played only for the first round of the competition, after which the position should be reviewed. In the circumstances one-day matches were wisest, but the form of some of the grade laws would require adjustment. The chairman: That would naturally follow.

Adjustment if Required

Mr Binney pointed out that when the position last season did not work satisfactorily a revision was made at the end of the first round. The same thing would be done again if necessary, for circumstances that could not be foreseen had to be met as they arose. Adjustments could be made, he added, as the season advanced. The motjon was carried unanimously, and a sub-committee, including' the members of the Grade Committee and Messrs Armitage. McMullan and Rowland, was appointed to arrange details and submit a report. ' A motion by Mr Knight fixing the hours of play was altered to a recommendation to the special committee, and on the question of the division of time, the chairman said it was not going to be an easy matter to decide. Another member said the whole position would develop into a farce and no finality would ever be reached If the batting time of each, team were not equally divided. Appeals Against Light

A suggestion was received from the Otago Cricket Umpires’ Association that the New Zealand Cricket Council should be asked to adopt the English county cricket law regarding appeals against the light in club matches played in New Zealand. The effect of the change would place the decision in the hands of the captains. Mr Rowland favoured a trial of the law suggested.

Mr Knight said that appeals against the light were unsporting, and there should be no such thing. Mr Armitage said the umpires’ decision was the only 1 , impartial one, and the existing rule was satisfactory in reaching a decision. "A captain in winning position would deserve a gold cup if he gave up the game on an appeal against the light In a one-day match,” he added. Mr Valentine agreed that the umpire was the only man competent to decide the issue, and he moved that the Umpires' Association be thanked for the suggestion, but that the existing position should not be changed. Mr Gaylor moved an amendment that no appeals against the light should be allowed, and this was carried by a margin of six votes. ■'We play under the laws of cricket, but we must sometimes make laws of pur own to meet circumstances.’’ said the chairman. “I am afraid that this decision may lead to some complications.” > It was decided to ask clubs to assist in building the umpire strength by submitting the names of men willing to act. Mr Knight said the matter was urgent, and the association should give a lead. He suggested that there might he some men who would agree to become umpires if provision were made for their being tutored in the rules of the game. If each club nominated one umpire the position would be alleviated. Personnel of Committees The following sub-committees were appointed for the season:—Grade Committee—Messrs E. H. Downes (convener), T. Hughes, H. Harvey and L. J. Groves (junior representative): Grounds Committee—Messrs 3. A. Robson. L. Hayes and T. Grant; Finance Committee—Messrs A. G. Valentine. A. H. Allen, C. R. Taylor, W. S. Atmitage, H. D. Kerr, J. M. Kennedy and E. H. Ferguson: Coaching Committee—Messrs J. McMullan. A. R. Knight. G. J. Robertson and G, McGregor; Management Committee—Messrs W. R. Brinsley, Hobson, W. A. Rowland, Valentine, Downes, McMullan, Gaylor and Armitage.

Appreciation of the services of Mr W. A. Rowland as convener of the Grade Committee for many years was placed on record. Mr Rowland declined nomination for the position again. It was stated that he had set: a fine example of diligence in his work. • Three Selectors Appointed It was decided by ten votes to seven that three selectors should be appointed. Those voting against the issue favoured a sole selector. Messrs J. McMullan (convener). E. H. Downes and A. Galland were elected to the positions. Entries of teams for the various competitions will close on October 20. The secretary (Mr E, S. Wilson) was Instructed to inquire from the Southland and Canterbury Associations about suitable dates for the annual matches. An application was received from, the Cricket Club of the North Talcrl Station of the Royal New Zealand Air Force for permission ,to enter a team in the Intermediate Grade in the coming season, and the North-East Valley Club sought permission to enter a Fifth Grade team These requests were referred to the Grade Committee. The Grade Committee was Instructed to confer with suburban clubs, such as Green Island, Talerl and Port Chalmers, in order to overcome difficulties arising out of their location.