CRICKET

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 49

CRICKET

OTAGO ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the executive of the Otago Cricket Association was held on Thursday evening in the board room of the secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson). The president (Mr G. A. .Wycherley) occupied the chair. The chairman welcomed the new vicepresidents—Messrs A. H. Allen and P. N. Rundle—and also two new members in Messrs W. Brookes and W. Strang. He also welcomed Mr G. G. Austin, who had previously been a committeeman, back to their meetings. The secretary of the Otago Boys’ Cricket Association (Mr H. N. Miller) wrote expressing the hope that the Coaching Committee would do all in its power to see that the boys of the association received coaching from Mr Badcock during the coming season. Mr Miller stated that at a meeting of his executive the previous week he had brought forward the proposed entry of a number of church teams, and it had been decided to receive these teams after Christmas, when the association’s season commenced.—The request was referred to the Coaching Committee, which had already discussed the matter. The. secretary of the Auckland Cricket Association wrote stating that the Management Committee of his association had been asked by the Old Boys’ Association of a large Auckland secondary school for a ruling on the formation of a cricket club of four teams for entry in the competitions next season. Among those interested in the movement were some Auckland representatives and one New Zealand representative. Information was sought in regard to the experience in Otago of old boys’ clubs.—The chairman said the opinion they might express would be largely a personal one. They might, however, say they had two old boys’ teams in their association, and they so far had found no hardship on the other clubs by their inclusion in the senior competition. —lt was decided to reply to the request of the Auckland Association on the lines indicated by the chairman. The secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association wrote stating that it was proposed to enter a colts’ team in its senior competition this year. The Otago Association was asked for information regarding the method followed in connection with the financing and management of this class of team in Otago.—The secretary stated that he had replied giving the procedure followed by the Otago Association.—A member: “We seem to be getting in the limelight in the North Island.”

It was decided to play an Otago team against a colts’ team on Labour Day at Logan Park. HOME AND HOME MATCHES. -

The secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council wrote stating that the Wellington Association had written asking if a system of home and home matches for the major associations could be instituted. The Otago Association was asked if it favoured such a system. Mr J. Robson moved—“ That this association is not favourable to such a proposal.” He thought it was impossible for Otago at present to agree to the proposal. Before they indulged in more travelling they had to look to the position of matches with Oamaru and Southland. He did not think these matches should be sacrificed for home and home matches. Mr W. Brinsley seconded the motion. The chairman said the motion gave the position so far as Otago was concerned. The proposal might be all right if they had plenty of time and plenty of money. Under their existing circumstances, however, he did not think they could go in for such a big programme. Messrs .J. Dunning and D. Solomon agreed that the idea was a good one, so far as the general interests of the game were concerned, but that it would be impossible to carry it out. It would be too exterisive'a programme for the representative teams in each province to play one another twice every year. The motion was carried. OPENING OF SEASON.

It was decided to open the season on October 25.

A HARDY ANNUAL.

Some discussion took place on whether the association should have a sole selector, or three, as was the case last year.The question of the appointment of a sole selector was held over to next meeting. Messrs F. Williams, W. Butler, and Martin were appointed a temporary committee to select the Otago team for the match on Labour Day. Mr F. T. Badcock will select the colts’ team. PLACING OF THE COACH.

The question of allotting the coach (Mr F. T. Badcock) as an active member of a senior team caused some discussion. The chairman said this appointment was not a club matter. They wanted to allot their coach to the team with which he would do most good for the game, and for cricket in Dunedin.

Mr J. M. Fraser moved that the coach be allotted to the Dunedin Club. He thought he would do most good with this club.

Mr Dunning seconded the motion. Mr W. Rowland moved as an amendment that the coach be allotted to the Christian Brothers’ Club. He thought this club was more in need of a coach, both as a leader and a player, than any of the other clubs. Dr Reid seconded the amendment.

Mr W. Brinsley moved as a further amendment that the coach’s services be divided between the Dunedin and Christion Brothers’ Clubs, but the latter withdrew his amendment.

Messrs Strang and Robson said that their club would be pretty strong this season, and the Dunedin Club would be quite willing for Badcock to play with Christian Brothers.

The chairman said this was a very generous attitude for the two speakers to take up. After further discussion it was decided to allot Badcock to the Dunedin Club, the voting being nine to seven in favour of Mr Fraser’s motion. The chairman: The motion is carried. It’s a rather peculiar position, isn’t it, but there you are. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

Nine nominations were received for the Management Committee. This committee will, according to the decision come to at

the annual meeting of the association, act as the working body. The ballot resulted in the election of the following:— Messrs J. M. Fraser, W. Rowland, W. Strang, W. Brooks, F. Binney, J. Dunning, D. Solomon, and E. Ferguson.

DUNEDIN CLUB.

OFFICIAL OPENING DAY.

The Dunedin Cricket Club officially opened its 1930-31 season at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afterjroon, when there was a large attendance of players and club supporters, one of the best for many years. There were no fewer than 50 playing members and 30 others.

The newly-elected president (Mr R. C. Torrance), in declaring the season open, remarked upon the very encouraging attendance, and commented on the presence of a fair sprinkling of ladies. He hoped their attendance meant that the club was going to have a good following of the fair sex. Mr Torrance also referred to the fact that the club was back in its old home, the Caledonian Ground. He sincerely hoped that this return to former surroundings would bring in its tram a renewal of that social spirit that had distinguished the old days. The speaker said that the club’s prospects for the new season were excellent. A number of good players had joined up, and the club would have' the services of the association’s coach, F. T. Badcock.

The president then made a presentation to Mr James M'Farlane, £n behalf of the younger members of the club. Mr M'Farlane, he said, was an old and esteemed member of the club, who had always taken a keen interest in the young men, and who had for some years past acted as their honorary coach. These young players were now endeavouring to show their appreciation by asking him to accept a case of pipes with their very best wishes.

Mr G. A. Wycherley _ (president of the Otago Cricket Association) tendered the governing body’s good wishes to the club. Prospects generally were good, and he thought that provided the weather was kind, the game in Dunedin should receive considerable impetus this year, mainly on account of the interest and enthusiasm shown by the young players who have been enjoying coaching throughout the winter. Mr Wycherley said that the project to send another New Zealand team. to England was practically assured, and it behoved colts showing promise to settle down and make a bid for illusion in the team. In conclusion, the speaker said he hoped at the close of the season to be able to congratulate Mr Torrance on being president of the premier senior club.

Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies present.

CHRISTCHURCH GAMES.

October 11. The cricket season was opened on Saturday in beautiful spring sunshine. The grounds were in good order, though both the wickets and the outfields were a little slow. The change-over of many leading players to equalise in some degree the playing strength of the competing teams appeared to add interest to the matches, for there was a big attendance -jf the public. Results: Lancaster Park (old Linwood Club) batted first against St. Albans for 141 (B. Hawkins 49). F aser took four wickets for 27 and Page three for 24.

St. Albans has lost one wicket for 16 runs

East Christchurch, batting against Old Boys, were dismissed for 119 (T. Kennedy 31). Merritt took seven wickets for 59. Old Boys have lost six wickets for 69.

Old Collegians, playing against Riccarton, were all out for 138, and Ricearton has scored 106 runs for one wicket (Jacobs not out 50, Roberts not out 37) West Christchurch, playing Sydenham, scored 238 (Kerr 64. Alexander 79, Allen 37). Oliver took six wickets for 28. Sydenham has scored 42 for no wickets (Wall-Burton not out 33). AUSTRALIAN TEAM INVITED. 5 INCLUSION OF BRADMAN DESIRED. - CHRISTCHURCH, October 10. The New Zealand Cricket Council decided to-night to endeavour to arrange a visit from an Australian team towards the end of the present season and to have Bradman included in the team. Replies to the council’s request for expressions of opinion on the proposed adoption of larger wickets for Plunket Shield games were received from the Auckland and Canterbury Associations in favour of the change and from the Wellington Association, which was against the proposal. The question was referred to the annual meeting of the council for decision. A rearrangement of the grouping system for the Hawke Cup was decided upon. The new grouping is as follows:—Waiapu and Poverty Bay, Rangitikei and Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and South Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Wanganui, Manawatu and Wairarapa, Nelson and Marlborough, West Coast and Buller, Ashburton and North Otago, South Canterbury and Southland.

The treasurer reported that the profit from the M.C.C. tour had been £1607. /Y draft for £l6OO had been sent to the M.C.C., and the council had retained £7 as its profit from the tour. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on November 19. WEST INDIES TEAM. TO PLAY AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, October 9. The opportunity of the West Indies cricket team playing a match in Wellington on the way to Australia next month has been accepted by the West Indies Board of Control. The Wellington Cricket Association received the following cablegram from the West Indies:—“Accept with great pleasure your kind invitation to play a match in Wellington.—Kidney, Barbadoes.”

The match with the West Indies will be played at the Basin Reserve on November 12 and 13. It is expected the team

will arrive on Tuesday, November 11. Alter the match the tourists will proceed to Auckland to join the steamer there for Sydney. The present arrangements are » a t,, ie toam will leave Wellington for Auckland on the night of Thursday, November 13. On the way back to the West Indies the tourists will be in Wellington again on March 10, and the suggestion is made that the tour be extended to provide for at least three matches in New Zealand in March next.