CRICKET.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17088, 17 July 1926, Page 7

CRICKET.

IMPROVING CRICKET.

KEEN ARGUMENT.

OVER LORD HARRIS' PLEA. (Elcc. Tel. Copyright (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.' LONDON, July If,. There is keen argument over Lord Harris' plea for cricket reform in the interests of the bowler. Point is added to the suggestion by Players scoring 579 at Lords to-day. Lord Harris points out he made the suggestions at the instance of prominent cricketers, who consider the game would be materially benefited thereby, and many consider something should be done. Primarily, the question is of the wickets, which are prepared with the greatest care weeks ahead. It is difficult to suggest suitable change, it may be said, why play eleven men.' why make the distance 22 yards? It is considered, however, the most feasible suggestion is that the height of the wicket should be raised, but the largest figure mentioned was half an inch. It would be more difficult to widen the wickets, which would mean either four stumps, or three much thicker stumps, which would probably affect the bails. The fact: remained, anyhow, thai runs were being piled up alarmingly. Geary and Root agree that the bowlers have fallen ou hard times. Geary considers the bowler is not given.any chance in comparison with the batsmen.

Root considers the rules were made solely for batsmen. Any benefit of doubt in l.b.w. is always given to the batsman. He entirely disapproved of covered wickets.

Ou the contrary, Hearne considers the dressed wicket has come to stay, maintaining it is up to the bowlers to use their brains and ingenuity to dismiss the batsmen.

Hobbs declined to express an opinion either way.

Carr said his position prevented him saying anything. Hendren, however, said he thought they should have six wickets 2ft. high.

Strudwiek says the size of the stumps should be increased. It would be better if the wickets were left alone.

POSSIBILITY OF FIVE DRAWN TESTS.

The Daily Chronicle says that when the Australians arrived at the beginning of the season it did not occur to anyone there might be five drawn test games, but the possibility is now the subject of general discussion. It is all very well to say that the Australians come to play games with the English. but the very skill in cricket consists in subordinating everything to winning. It is scarcely fair or feasible to dislocate the county championships by allotting more than half the season to tests. Moreover, the tests are not the only games unfinished. Lord Harris' suggestion of higher and wider stumps has awakened the liveliest discussion, and as Marylebone cannot legislate insisting upon bumps upon the wicket or the construction of bunkers like golf, it ought to put up a bigger target or diminish the width of the bat.

THE CASE OF MR. SMITH. LONDON. July 1;1. There was a touch of irony iii the fact that Kelleway as a Daily Express representative had to interview Mr. Sydney Smith on the Gordon Club's action. Mr. Smith said he knew nothing beyond the cable published in the press. He had no comment of any kind to make. Kelleway says pcisonally he has no knowledge of the matter. "I cannot say whether the rejection of Mr. Smith has anything to do with my exclusion from the team," he said. "It may be that the club considers it has found someone whom they think can better represent them on the association."