A CRICKET CRISIS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 28, 25 January 1933, Page 7

A CRICKET CRISIS

Body-line Bowling MARYLEBONE’S REPLY TESTS MAY BE ABANDONED By Telegraph —Copyright—Press Assn. LONDON, January 24. Gilligan, writing in “The London Chronicle,’’ thinks it more than likely that the remaining tests will not be played. It. would be very much better if they were cancelled than have a glorified dog-fight at Brisbane and Sydney, which would only engender the bitterest feeling with the spirit of cricket completely forgotten. “The Chronicle'’ in leader says: “If the feeling is as vehement as the Board of Control suggests, then the only way out may be to cancel the remaining matches and recall the team. It is a very deplorable one, and the onus of demanding it is rightly left with Australia.'’ Other newspapers and critics support Alarylebone’s reply and congratulate the committee on expressing themselves so forcibly. Fender declared that he was glad Alarylebone had not only expressed the great faith that all have in the English team's cricket sportsmanship, but added that there was no evidence that the confidence was misplaced.

THE REPLY AS EXPECTED SYDNEY, January 24. The consensus of opinion of cricket officials and old internationals is that Alarylebone’s reply was only what could be expected ancl the only course it could take. Some think the protest should have been made either after the first or last test, while others suggest a round table conference to overcome the difficulty. Members of the Board of Control refused to comment. ‘•SPIRIT OF GAME VIOLATED” ADELAIDE, January 24. The secretary of the Board of Cricket Control, Air. Jeanes, announced that a special meeting of the board would be held on Alonday to consider Alarylebone’s reply. Air. Jeanes also released the following telegram from the Castlemaine Cricket Association, Victoria: •—The Castelmaine Association, of 500 players, concurs with the board's protest. Body-line bowling is the death-knell of country cricket. The spirit of the game Is violated." CHAIRMAN RETICENT MELBOURNE, January 24. The chairman of the Board of Control. Dr. Robertson, when asked whether the position Is now as serious as Alarylebone indicates, replied: “I won't comment on that." He also declined to say whether he personally was in favour of cancelling the remainder of the tests. CONFIDENCE EX PRESSED # LONDON, January 23. The Alarylebone committee cabled the Australian Board of Control as follows: “AVe, the Alarylebone Club, deplore your cable and deprecate the opinion that, there has been unsportsmanlike play. AVe have the fullest confidence in the captain of the team and the managers and are convinced that they will do nothing to infringe the laws of cricket or the spirit of the game. AVe have no evidence that our confidence is misplaced. “Much as we regret the accidents to Woodfull and Oldfield we understand that in neither case was the bowler to blame. “If the board wish to propose a new law or rule it will receive our careful consideration in due course. We hope that the situation is not now as serious as your cable appears to indicate, but if it is such as to jeopardise the good relations of English and Australian cricketers and you consider it desirable to cancel the remainder of the programme we would consent with great reluctance."

A'i earlier message stated: Lord Lewisham presided at the Alarylebone committee meeting, which, it is expected, is likely to send a conciliatory reply to Australia. lis understood that the committee is anxious to smooth over the difficulties witfrout interfering with Jardine’s authority. The question of cancelling the remaining tests is unlikely to arise.