CRICKET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20679, 18 March 1937, Page 9

CRICKET

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM EXCLUSION OF GRIFFITHS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 17 It was made plain in a statement by Mr A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, that there will be no alteration in the numerical strength of the New Zealand cricket team for England. The team will consist of no more than 14 players and a manager. Should occasion arise, the manager will take the field as a player, it being understood that If necessary he will be able to give relief to the wicketkeeper. He expected that the team would get along all right on that numerical strength taking the ability of the manager to act as a wicket-keeper into account. In fact, he thought that the team would do well on the tour.

Regarding the exclusion of Griffiths from the team, Mr Donnelly said he desired to make the position clear regarding the condition which accounted for the Wellington slow bowler being withdrawn from the team. Griffiths was examined by one doctor who decided that he should be examined by another doctor and a dentist. All three agreed that Griffiths was unfit on account of his dental condition. Subsequent inquiries were made by Mr Donnelly who, in seeing the doctors, was accompanied by Mr Phillipps; chairman of the Wellington Cricket Association. The doctors stated that even if Griffiths’s teeth were taken out there was no guarantee that Griffiths would be fit to play for a substantial period, and they said that the Council would have to take him at its own risk. It was unfortunate, too, that Griffiths had not received notification before the announcement was made in the Press, and regret at that had been expressed to the player.