CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9252, 3 June 1908, Page 3

CRICKET.

THE TRIANGULAR TESTS. United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. (Received June 3, 9.50 a.m.) ADELAIDE, June 3. Darling, referring to the cabled comments on Australia's decision, said he was certain that money was absolutely a ..secondary consideration, and that tiie players had had no hand in it. What weighed most with him was the conviction that such contests would not be in the best, interests of the game. He believed that the other members of the Board came to the conclusion on the same ground. The resolution not to take part in the contests was unanimous. It was impossible to play a triangular series properly. " You must play home and home matches," he said, "in England. Australia and South Africa. No doubt.it is possible to do that in England, but just imagine two teams touring South Africa or Australia at the same time. That would mean financial disaster; more than that, it would mean that the test matches with South Africa would be played on matting wickets, which would be unfair to the visiting teams. It would be no advantage to Australia to train young players and then havo them playing their tests on matting. It would not be a fair contest. It will be time enougn to talk about home and home matches between the three countries when South Africa gets turf wickets. From a cricket point of view South Africa had everything to gain and nothing to lose, and the position was exactly reversed for Australia. Two teams in either Australia or South Africa at one time is out of tho question. Tlie only other place was in England. It would, however, be unfair that triangular contests shouid take place in England, because the home team would, have the advantage of playing on its own ground. Considered from any point of view, the proposition is unworkable. The impracticability of making the necessary arrangements satisfactory was what weighed with me. I look upon the suggestions conveyed in the cablegram as a slur upon the Australian players."