CRICKET.

Southland Times, Issue 19157, 29 January 1924, Page 3

CRICKET.

SOUTHLAND CRICKET ASSOCIATION. WEEKIA’ MEETING. The weekly meeting of the executive of the Southland Cricket Association was held last night, there being present Messrs F. St. J. Loughnan (chairman), G. Langdon, G. Corbet, E. Cook, A. Driscoll, F. Petrie and J. Hamilton (hon. secretary).

The Appleby Club’s delegate, reporting in connection with the Club’s new ground, said that me Club would like to give the ground a spell for a few weeks to enaole it to pick up again. The Association decided to accede to the request.

The president, who recently attended a conference with reference to Southland’s protest at being excluded from the New South Wales tour, said that it seemed as if the, cricket associations of New Zealand had left too much in the hands of Canterbury. In Dynedin he had evidence of the sympathy of other associations, yet they could not get a hearing. Although other associations might express disapproval, Canterbury carried the situation. He suggested that Souchland should get a real live delegate, a man like “Gillie” Wilson for instance. A man was unintentionally swayed by those round him, however much he might be in sympathy with them. They had a letter from Mr Barrett telling therfi what good fellows they were, but they oid not want to know that. The point was that the letter held out no hope of a match. A letter was read from Mr D. Reese of Christchurch, supporting the attitude of the Now Zealand Cricket Council. Considering the previous tours, he thought an equitable arrangement had been made, and no good could be come to by pursuing the Station for a match any further. The letter traversed the position on much the same lines as the N.Z. Cricket Council’s communication.

“It is just a re-hash of what we have heard before,” remarked the chairman, “and we have already dealt with their arguments.” The following fixtures have been arranged : WEDNESDAY. First Grade (matches to be continued). —Second Grade. — Union v. Marist, Biggar Street, No. 2 area. SATURDAY. —First Grade. — Union v. Appleby, Showgrounds. Invercargill v. Bluff, Showgrounds. Marist a bye. Second grades fixtures will appear tomorrow. PLUNKET SHIELD. lOSITION OF PROVINCES. The following tables show the positions of the provinces at the conclusion of the series of Plunkct Shield matches:— —Runs For.—

THE NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. NO MATCH FOR SOUTHLAND. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 28. At a meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council, it was decided that the appointment of umpires for the second test match against the New South Wales team should be left in the hands of the Wellington Association. The Otago Association wrote accepting the conditions for a match against New South Wales. A letter from Major Jennings stated that it wai<worthy of serious consideration that a military tournament was -being staged at Wellington on the same date as tbe test match. The clashing of dates would affect the financial position of both bodies.

The chairman said it had been found that neither the Council nor the military authorities could change the dates and so matters had to stand as they were at present.

: liie Otago Association wrote expressing the opinion that the Council should endeavour to arrange a match between Southland and the New South Wales team. Th% Council regretted that Southland’s application, backed up by the Otago Association, could not be granted.

Total. Wickets. Average. Wellington 2,885 56 51.20 Auckland . . 1.586 50 31.72 Otago .. . . 2,034 60 33.54 Canterbury 1,210 60 20.16 —Runs Against.— Wellington 1,874 60 31.14 Otago .. . . 3,220 60 53.40 Auckland .. 1.789 60 29.31 Canterbury 1,482 46 31.18