THE CRICKET YEAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3658, 22 April 1924, Page 30

THE CRICKET YEAR.

FINANCES OF N.S. WALES TOUR. WELLINGTON, April 17. An interesting review of the New Zealand cricket season with the inter-Colonial fixtures, shield and cup contests, and a statement of the finances of the recent New South Wales tour were given to your representative to-day by the chairman of the Management Committee (Mr J. S. Barrett) while passing through Wellington on his way north. “The balance sheet for the New South Wales tour is not quite completed,” said Mr Barrett, “but we can confidently look to a profit of between £BOO and £9OO. In addition to this nearly all the associations made a slight profit. The tour was conducted so economically that the estimate of expenditure was not reached. There should be a small rebate to all the associations on their guarantees.” “The tour was an unaqual’fied success,” continued Mr Barrett. “I am sure the public was delighted at seeing the very best of cricket from the vistiors. That was evidenced by the attendances. It is very disappointing that New Zealand failed so badly in the tests. The form shown was too bad to be true. 1 am quite confident that with more practice against first-class teams New Zealand will de very much better. It is with that idea that the council is pursuing the policy of trying to get a visit from an outside team every year. We are at present negotiating with the West Indies, and we hope that the team that did so well in England last year will make the journey. I think this would be an extremely popular tour. Mr Arthur Sims, who saw the West Indies players in England, believes they are capable of beating New Zealand. They have an exceptionally good fast bowler in Francis. Vve are also trying to arrange with the Murylebone Cricket Club that the English team that will visit Australia next season will return from Australia via Panama, staying two or three weeks in New Zea land. We do not think it will be possible to get a good team from Australia next season as all eyes will be on the test matches “I was very pleased to see Mr Warren Bardsley’s interview with the Sydney press as eabled this morning, said Mr Barrett. “I am quite sure that' Mr Bardsley’s sentiments represent the true feeling of the members of the team in regard to the recent tour. “Tlie Plunket Shield matches were keenly contested and caused considerable local interest and enthusiasm in each centre. This was most marked in Dunedin, where a regular cricket revival has commenced. The shield rests in Wellington, which well deserved its win. It is quite possible that the Redpath Cup, awarded for the most meritorious batting performances, may also come to Wellington. “The most difficult problem ior the Management Committee is the Hawke Cup contest. This is the cup presented by Lord Hawke for competition among the minor associations, which has always been contested by challengers against the holder. This was quite satisfactory when there were only a few aspirants,' but it now means that if the holder wins its matches, all club and local cricket is upset by the association being required to fight for the Hawke Cup. A conference of minor associations was convened by the Management Committee, and was held in Wellington during the second test match. At that meeting Mr Arkwright, represent ing Rangitikei, brought forward a scheme based on the Minor Counties Association of England. This scheme was defeated by a narrow majority, the members of the council not. voting. It is now being circularised to the minor associations bv the Management Committee. They will have an opportunity of discussing it through then- delegates at the next quarterly meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council. Personally, Mr Arkwright converted me, and I believe the scheme is quite feasible. “The Heathcote Williams Shield, which is presented for competition among secondary schools has not received the competition which it merits, but the difficulty arises from the fact that most of the boys are preparing for examinations and find it difficult to get leave to travel. I would suggest to the games’ masters of the secondary schools that they consider playing for this trophy in the 'first term of the year, “The Management Committee has t>een paying some attention to cricket records, and the indefatigable secretary (Mr J. F. Peake )is devoting much of his spare time to bringing them up-to-date. We hope that during the winter a booklet will be published giving the roll of honour of all who nave represented New Zealand since the inauguration of the council in 1881. Statistics regarding the Plunket Shield, Hawke Cup, and Heathcote Williams Shield will also be included.’’