PLUNKET SHIELD

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1934, Page 10

PLUNKET SHIELD

NO CHANGE IN THE RULES. COUNCIL’S DECISION. Christchutch, Nov. 8. A decision not to alter the rules for Plunket Shield matches this season was reached by the New Zealand Cricket Council at the annual meeting to-night. There will be a further discussion by delegates at a conference of the major Associations to-morrow. Altering the present rules for the Plunket Shield matches was suggested by Some of the associations, said Mr. A. T. Donnelly. At a conference Of delegates of major associations that morning it was decided in view of the great ifumber of amendments to do nothing immediately. It was thought best to assemble all the many suggestions from the various associations for altering the rules and then send them out again in full so that each association might be fully Aware Of every proposal and submit its further views before the council decided at a general meeting to be called in April what should be done. . Mr. Donnelly thought that associations should be asked to submit their suggestions and comments—after a summary—not later thin the middle of February. The amended rules could then be passed with full knowledge in April. At the present meeting it was practically impossible to decide on the rules, because as many as six amendments were proposed to some of the rules. .-j Mr. E. E. Nalder (Auckland) said that at the meeting mentioned by Mr. Donnelly it was decided that Aucklan should play a second match with Wellington this year and Auckland would make a similar invitation to Canterbury. With Otago distance was the main difficulty. As it was impossible to alter the rules for the present season it might be necessary to play the matches under a gentlemen’s agreement. He was pleased to think the major associations were being brought into closer contact. Mr. P. B. Broad (Wellington), said he had been instructed to obtain home and away matches, or a North agains. South match. To provide more first-class matches every major association shoul play every other major association on its own ground, and also on its opponents’ grounds. « • w Such a scheme would involve reducing four-day matches to three days. It had the drawback of playing most of the matches in January and would interfere with club cricket. He hoped some such scheme could be arranged this season. If it was done this year it would have to be on the basis of a gentlemens agreement. . e It was decided that consideration of the rules be deferred until a genera, meeting in April. . Later, Mr. Broad, nioved that the man* agement committee be urged to arrange a North v. South match this season. Island teams, he thought, should be pitted against visiting overseas teams. Mr. Donnelly said that failing an overseas visit or home and away Plunket Shield matches the suggestion could be put into effect. More first-class cricket was needed this year and the major associations ‘ should give young players every chance, so that a good Dominion team could be built up. Discussing overseas tours, Mr. Donnelly said it had to be remembered that the playing status of the Dominion in international cricket was not first class.