PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY ONE-DAY CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 4

PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY ONE-DAY CRICKET

TN adopting the purely war-time expedient of playing one-day matches in senior cricket this season, the Otago Cricket Association has realised that it must move warily if it is to avoid difficulties and complications, and it has acted wisely in appointing a special committee to report on the conditions under which it considers the games should be played. This question has already been the subject of debate in the other major centres, in all of which one-day games have been adopted for this, summer* although, Auckland has decided to review the position at the end of the first round. >' 1 The Otago Association will indeed be fortunate if it is able,to draw up • set of rules that will work out en-

tirely satisfactorily. There.can be no question that only under the two-day system can senior cricket in this country be conducted in, a manner that will give every player the opportunities to which he is entitled and will.enable the standard of the game to be pro-; pMly developed, but conditions have forced a decision that in few cases can have been otherwise than unpalatable It is surprising that from the executive of the Otago Cricket Association strong opinions have already been expressed that the time of play should be equally divided between the teams, whereas in Auckland several clubs declared that they agreed to one-day matches only on the condition that this provision should not be a condition of play. The opinion x>f. these clubs was strongly supported by a letter from a member of the Canterbury Management Committee describing Canterbury's experiences' in conducting one-day matches last season. The letter stated that the division of time was not in the best interests of the game when junior players, interference by rain, and other causes were considered. It is obvious that an equal division of time, especially in a case in which, rain causes a late start, must operate strongly to the advantage of the faster scoring teams. It may be argued that quick run-getting is to be fostered, but it has to be remembered that the primary object of the change is to keep the game alive in its most convenient form and not merely to foster brighter cricket. Yet;- the association must guard against a monopoly of time by a timid captain Who will accept a draw rather than take a risk. The Wellington, Association has met.this problem by deciding that no points shall be awarded inffc match which is drawn. There are * obvious objections to such., a scheme. One! is that good play in one game may go 7; unrewarded, while poor teams ■ on another ground may decide their, game, and the winning performance (though relatively a bad one) gain for the side concerned a substantial advantage in points. Again, the weathersmay be the sole cause of a draw, but Wellington's attitude is simply that it is impossible to legislate against the elements. Whatever schemes may be devised in an endeavour to ensure a satisfactory contest, success in the final analysis must depend largely upon the captains arid the spirit in which the players approach the game. No set of rules will 'obviate a negative type of play if captains are inclined towards it, and 1 the fewer the restrictions, that are imposed, the better it will be for aIL concerned. As games, are not to be started locally until October 25, a convenient margin of time exists in which the special committee may study the possibilities and gather information. One of the minor points against which it will have to legislate is the freak , declaration. Wellington's provision against this is a-rule that the teain batting first must continue its innings for at least an hour before closing it. That a pleasant type oV cricket may be expected is indicated by the statement of an official with experience in Canterbury Any idea that the oneday game was just a slogging match, he said, was quite wrong. It would be found that correct cricket would be played, and that the ball would be hit hard and well.

Favourites, Beaten Although Dr K. Ross, whVhas been 14 tiroes champion of the Otago Golf Club, has not held the title for several years, he demonstrated on Saturday that he is still a force to be reckoned with. In the first round of match play he beat J. N. Lemon, one of the favourites anp the outstanding performer in the qualifying rounds. They were all square at the turn, but Ross made some fine" recoveries on the homeward journey, and in general filayed so well that" he covered the ast nine holes - fn' 34 to complete a round of 72. It would scarcely be correct to describe Ross's win-as a ' surprise, as his skill in match play ' is so well known: but W. C. Romeril's win over. T.* B. Ferguson, a former champion, was an example of the unexpected happening. It Was a win on nferit, for Romeril was only one over fours when the match concluded.

Mixed Results The first week-end of the angling season produced mixed results, some satisfactory catches, sorre less so, and some frankly disappointing. The sport on the Shag fell into the last category. Fishermen who went in their numbers to that popular water were shocked to find that their very best flies failed utterly to lure the trout from their nooks and shelters. A few fish were taken on the worm, and it is reported that even some died-in-the-wool fly wielders were reduced to the use of the wriggling bait. The Waikouaiti was not a great deal better, although a few fish were laken. Better results were obtained in the south. A party on the Pomahaka caught a good number of fish. but. found them in only fair condition. Several fine basket were taken on the Waiwera.