One-Day Matches Increase Public Interest In Cricket

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 11

One-Day Matches Increase Public Interest In Cricket

By

NOT OUT

Now that the cricket season has begun the association might well consider before the competition opens the advisability of holding one-day matches in the senior games instead of the two-day fixtures which have been held for the last few years. There is no doubt that the one-day matches have much to commend them and one of the effects of such games is brighter cricket. When the game extends over two days there are times when much of the day is wasted through the match finishing early, whereas with a one-day game there can be no doubt that the whole afternoon will be fully occupied. The oneday matches could start at one o’clock or 1.30 in the afternoon, and that should allow plenty of time for the match to finish, especially if the players set out to make a game of it. One-day matches were played in Invercargill several years ago and it was claimed that cricket was a good deal brighter as a result. At any rate the suggestion is well worth trying for one season at least, and it may be that there will be a bigger following of the game. Cricket in Southland has unfortunately languished from lack of public support and the Southland Cricket Association is anything but a wealthy body, so that any possibility of brightening the game should be given serious consideration. MARIST’S NEW WICKET The Marist Club, which, with othei clubs in the city, held its opening on Saturday, is to be congratulated on the completion of its new wicket. The club has gone to a great deal of trouble and expense to put the wicket in order for the coming season, and there is every reason to expect that it will be one of the best in New Zealand.

Last year the Marist Club spent £4OO apart from the money spent on the

ground for equipment and other necessities, including a mower for which it paid £lB5. There is every prospect that the club will be able to field a good senior team this year, and there is also a good deal of material to draw from. Two new senior players have joined the Marist ranks. They are O’Sullivan, formerly of the Dunedin Club, who played for Otago in its last match against Canterbury in the Plunket Shield competition, and Wright, who played for Albion, one of the Dunedin Clubs. There are also three or four new junior players. Appleby will hold its opening on Saturday by playing its annual match with the Celtic team from Gore on the Biggar street west ground. Several of the younger players were present at practice on Saturday last. Appleby wili also be a strong team again this year, although it is probable that J. Purdue will stand down for a Saturday or two to recuperate from a strenuous Rugby season. The club has a new senior player in J. Fleming who played in the Wellington league competition. It is reported that he is a classy batsman. It is not known yet who will replace J. Milne, who has retired from the game, as wicket keeper, but the choice ■will probably fall on Riddell or Sievwright. Cliff Shirley will not be available as he has gone into camp.

This year the Southland Cricket Association will be without the services of a coach. It has been suggested that old players might devote some of their time to coaching some of the younger cricketers so that they will not lose the benefit of the coaching they have already had.

Choosing A Trusty Bat

Young cricketers preparing to start a new season frequently make one rather serious mistake at the outset. They select the wrong type of bat for their private use.

This is just where far more care should be taken by the average player, for a suitable bat with a well-balanced blade gives added confidence in ability to hit the ball, and it. improves coordination of mind and muscle for correct timing and placement.

“Balance is the all-important essential,” says Don Bradman in dine of His books. ‘‘‘ln a shop one may pick up a dozen bats in succession. Of these, li may feel just very nice. Immediately the twelfth is handled, one exclaims: ‘What a beauty!’ Why? Simply because it feels different; it appeals to you. “And there you have the secret oi selecting a bat. Nobody else can pick a bat for you. Pick one entirely on the way it feels in your hands. By doing this you will always have implicit faith in your bat.” No first-class cricketer ever goes out to the crease unless he is perfectly satisfied that his bat has the best bat-

ance of any he could possibly obtain

Bradman, in fact, advances the view that extreme care in selecting wellbalanced bats has flayed no small part in his success in Test cricket. So with the new season afiout to start, here is a phase of the game on which young cricketers would do well to ponder for the moment. A batsman has enough handicaps to overcome without the drawback of an awkward, cumbersome bat. '