OPINIONS VARY

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1933, Page 7

OPINIONS VARY

TEST CRICKET PROTEST DISPUTE BROUGHT TO HEAD ROUND-TABLE TALK PLAN NO MOVE IN PRESENT TESTS INCURSION INTO POLITICS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 11.15 p.m. London, Jan. 19. The cable from the Board of . Control has brought the so-called body-line controversy to a head. It is astonishing to note the variety of opinions expressed in correspondence in the newspapers and interviews with prominent cricketers. The Daily Herald says the Marylebone Club will meet immediately and draft a reply. It will ask for more detailed information concerning the alleged tactics, and suggest a round-table talk with the English team. “But it is certain Marylebone will take no steps to ban leg-theory bowling in the present tests as that would be tantamount to a vote of censure on Jardine and the managers of the team,” the paper adds. “The idea that England’s tactics should be governed by Australia is preposterous.” “It is hard to conceive the possibility of Marylebone placing a ban on any particular type of bowling,” says the Times. “Probably the present difficult position would not have arisen but for the irresponsible chatter of elderly critics in the pavilion and the Press and the craving in some quarters for sensational news stories.” Rumours are afloat in London that the leg theory may yet become a diplomatic incident. It has been suggested by one or two who ought to know that the British Government, more especially the Dominions Office, is watching the thing closely with a view to jts possible effect on Empire feeling should the tension continue.

Whitehall circles at first refused to take seriously the suggestion that bodyline bowling might necessitate Government conciliation in the interests of friendly relations, but were astounded to read the Adelaide cable this afternoon. No Government communication about it has reached Whitehall or Australia House, but cricket’s incursion into politics would be deplored. The Daily Mail in a leader says that though the Australian protest against body-line bowling will receive the Marylebone Club’s careful consideration, the suggestion that Anglo-Australian relations are likely to be upset cannot be meant seriously. Everyone in England would deeply regret friction and all sense of proportion would be lacking were a dispute over • test conditions allowed to weaken even the momentarily strong feeling of brotherhood linking Australia and England. i The News-Chronicle says that all reasonable people, whether English or Australian, should lose no time in energetically protesting, against the last sentence of the board’s cable. “It is perfectly monstrous,” the paper states, “and shows a lack of perspective to suggest that Anglo-Australian relations may’be disturbed unless a certain form of bowling is immediately made illegal. If that is even distantly possible as a result of the tests, they should be stopped, but such a possibility in unintelligible.”

.“NO OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS”

The Evening News in a leader fears that the board's protest will pour no oil on troubled waters. “It is a drastic thing to publicly accuse opponents of unsportsmanlike conduct," the paper says. “Cricket lovers in England are not prepared, to accept the accusation without protest. The Australian board may be right or wrong, but it has the interests of the game at heart. Legally Jardine’s men are in the right, but even if the leg theory is legal is it discreet? The board’s protests cannot have been easy to write and Marylebone’s reply will be even harder.”

Carson, in the Evening News, says the board’s protest will be received with mixed feelings. The use of the word “unsportsmanlike” was a diplomatic error, but if the board thinks that the game as played caused more irritation than enjoyment it has grounds for complaint which must be considered. The Evening Standard says the board’s protest is unprecedented. Neither side has previously accused the other of deliberately unfair tactics. Friendly AngloAustralian relations are more important than the tests, but England is bound in justice to Jardine to repudiate the charge of unsportsmanlike conduct. Marylebone is willing to listen to a request to alter the rules, but not in the .middle of the tests.

The Daily Herald in an editorial says: “The Australian board’s protest against what it is pleased to call body-line bowling is untimely and should have been held back until the tests were ended. Ninety per cent, of cricket followers in England will label protest as ‘squealing.’ Are they far wrong? “BELOW TEST STANDARD.” “The real facts are that the Australian batting, with one or two exceptions, is below test standard. Quick-footed batsmen can punish the leg theory as well as any other bowling. When Australia finds them they will kill the leg theory. Meanwhile we hope that Marylebone will be firm. It must not be sentimental and climb down.” The Daily, Telegraph says: “If the usual practice is followed the first neWs of the Marylebone reply will come fromAustralia. The normal procedure is not' to publish here any official note until it is received in Australia. The subject, now it is raised, is sure to receive long and careful consideration. Australia’s protest is so vital and the reply may be so far-reaching that any hurried decision would be impolitic.” F. R. Foster, interviewed on the leg theory, said: “There is such a thing as cricket sportsmanship, and the English team is not showing that true spirit. Unless the leg theory is discontinued it will ruin the game, because it is intimidating the batsmen. Each member of the team is an ambassador from England, and winning the Ashes is secondary to the good feeling created. Australia’s second test victory was a triumph of right over might.” Lord Tennyson, when interviewed, said: “I would like to see the leg theory completely dropped. I suggest that it be continued during the present series and then discussed at a round-table conference.”