CRICKET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 16, 17 January 1913, Page 5

CRICKET.

UMPIRING IN BRITAIN

MAINE’S CRITICISM,

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copy right.) Press Association.!

(Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, January 17

Mayne, a member of the last Australian Eleven, hotly criticised tne English cricket umpires and the methods of their selection. Umpires appointed were captains of county teams, and in the majority of ca,->es are old professional cricketers. In the opinion of the Colonials they are disposed to, favour the 'homo teams in order to keep in favour with those controlling the appointments of umpires. Mayne declares that umpiring in the Test and, county matches was inefficient for several seasons past, as a radical change was absolutely necessary. He instances the case of Bardsley, who was given “run out” in the last test. Warne; and Rangitsinhji admitted it was the worst decision they had ever seen. Jc the match with Fry’s Eleven at Bray (Ireland) Hobbs walked clean in front of the stumps to a straight ball from Ha/ditt. The umpire said: “In a few overs Hobbs will be completing hi' 2000 runs for the season in first-class cricket.” The umpire exclaimed “Bravo, Bardsley!” on another occasion when he tried to mow a half pitcher from Rhodes (who was bonding round the wicket) to leg, but missed, and was given out l.b.w. Mayne thinks incompetency was the cause, but many good judges on the other side say it was due to the methods of selection. (Received 10.5 a.m.) Sydney, January 17.

Mr Crouch, manager, reporting on the tour commented that when the Board of Control requested Marylebone to adopt the Australian method >f selecting umpires for the triangular tests, the Club replied that the request had arrived too late, but promised to consider it. There is reason to believe that in future tests the umpires will be chosen under the Australian methods.

Adelaide, January 17

Clem Hill does not hold out nope of an amicable settlement of the trouble with the Board of Control. It did not look like being signs of reconciliation, after the displacement of Armstrong in the captaincy of the Victorian Eleven.

SOUTH MELBOURNE V. ASH-

BURTON

Ashburton, January 16.

The South Melbourne v. Ashburton County match concluded this evening, and resulted in a draw. The visitors knocked up the biggest score they have yet made in the dominion, the board showing 421 when the last wicket fell at 2.28. Of these Giller, by hard driving and accurate play, had contributed 156 and Kyle 88, in addi tion to Purvis’s 71 on the previout evening. The Ashburton bowling was weak, only Cusden’s being respected With barely three hours to go and 179 to get to avert an innings defeat, Ashburton’s prospects did not appeal rosy, but by careful play and forceful punishing of all and any loose stuff, they not only succeeded but had their last wicket still to fall wlier time was called, making 270 for 1" wickets. The chief scores were Armstrong 48, Orr 46 (not out), Fryer 33 and Nicol 24, and all played attractive cricket. In the Melbourne innings Cusden took six wickets for 16? and Butler three for 95, and in Ashburton’s second innings the visitors’ most successful trundlers were Kennj six for 97, Kyle five for 62, and Gillei two for 37.

The visiting captain and manager congratulated Ashburton on the pitcl and the outfield, describing the former as the best they have played on in the dominion.