COUNTRY CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 8

COUNTRY CRICKET

COACHING OF PLAYERS REPLY TO CRITICISM Replying to an article on “ Country Cricket,” which appeared in last Thursday’s Daily Times, Mr J. D. Stewart, club captain of the Alexandra Cricket Club, writes:' “As one who has helped in the difficult task of keeping country cricket alive during the war years, I feel that the article did not do the justice to the country players that they deserve. I have some admiration for your correspondent’s perceptive powers, and envy him the ability to gain so much knowledge in the few minutes he was present at the game lo which he refers. Since the petrol restrictions were introduced the county competition in Central Otago has been abandoned, and the Excelsior Cricket Club, in an endeavour to keep cricket alive in Alexandra, divided its players into an A and B team and, with the assistance of the School team, has successfully managed to run a local competition. In a small country town it is, of course, difficult to maintain three teams, and the club has very often been helped by visitors and others who have volunteered to make up a side. “ Some of these players have played a little cricket, and some none at all, and it was such a player whom your correspondent takes to task for ‘ swiping ’ at every ball. The fact that such players are willing to turn out and field all day with very little chance of a good innings says a lot for their sportsmanship, but to judge country cricket by the standard of such players, as your correspondent has done, is simply ridiculous. “ I am glad to say, though, that the batsman in question did make 10 runs in five minutes, which is much more entertaining than some exhibitions by more experienced players that I have witnessed. It was nice, however, of your correspondent to add a note of praise (if somewhat grudgingly) to one of our bowlers. He has merely endorsed the Otago selectors' opinion of this player, who has been included in the Brabin Shield team in the past two years, and bore the brunt of the bowling in the match against Canterbury. Another player from this town was responsible for considerably helping the Otago side’s score along in the same match, and I regret that your correspondent was not able to wait long enough to.see this player in action also.

" Regarding the suggestion your correspondent makes that Mr W. R. Brinsley might, take a part in coaching players up here, I think that he should at least have acquainted himself with just what Mr Brinsley has done for us in the past. We have a very staunch supporter in Mr Brinsley, and my club is very grateful to him for his help both in and out of Alexandra. "With regard to umpiring. I am unaware of your correspondent’s qualifications to umpire a match himself, but I do know the qualifications of the umpire referred to in your article, and as he has had a lifelong experience of cricket in many countries, and is, in fact, the father of cricket in Central Otago, we in Alexandra have every confidence in his ability. We are shortly to have the pleasure, of having in Alexandra two of your Dunedin teams. I trust that they have not taken your correspondent too literally, and I assure them that they will in Alexandra have as enjoyable a match_ as they have had for many seasons past.