CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17367, 31 March 1928, Page 21 (Supplement)

CRICKET.

ABOUT PRACTICE. EASTMAN’S VIEWS. (By ‘‘Cover Point.”) Prior to giving up his work for the SPas °n. E. G. Eastman, the Otago coach, furnished a report to his association which, even at the fag end of the season, deserves to be taken notice ot locally. I append some cxtracis “There is some good material among the primary school boys I have had undei me, and .some shoo Id become hne cricketers. R would be a good thing if sports masters would 'teach boys the law of the straight hat, and instruct the bowlers to keep their arms up as high as possible, and to learn to cultivate a length, as well as pointing out the essential points of good fielding. Masters should advise captains of teams the necessity of changing their howling more during the progress of 'marches, as the boys seem to lack knowledge in Ibis respect, and thus bowlers are kept on much too long when a change would be of material benefit to their side. “Some excellent material is to be found among the boys of the secondary schools, hut at the moment it needs careful cultivation, as boys are now at the susceptible period when they should considerably benefit by being coached. The remarks regarding masters giving the hoys advice regarding baiting, bowling, and fielding, as mentioned in connection with the primary schoolboys, also applies to the secondary schools.

“Among the colts who were selooted for coaching there is some excellent material with a few outstanding boys. These players require to pay strict attention to field work and sLroke play, both in front and behind the wicket. The bowlers should now be able to cultivate something more than good good length howling. I mean spinning, flighting, and swinging. This can only he obtained by conscientious work. With regard to fielding, more time should be devoted to this department of the game, especially in the direction of returning the ball, always endeavouring to throw it on the full to the wicket-keeper or bowler or with a long hop. Catches can win or lose matches, and practice in this department of the game is very necessary.

“In our representative team we have some first-class talent, and the nucleus of a very fine representative side. The players are now at an age when they should absorb the knowledge imparted by a coac-h, and the result mostly depends upon''he players themselves. The players must realise that to be a first-class batsman it is essential not only to play with a straight bat, but to have sure and correct footwork, and then more footwork. This is particularly applicable to on side play, and many of our representative players fail with scoring strokes on the leg side, mainly through llicking at the ball with a cross bat 'instead of playing it with a straight bat. I would like to condemn the tendency to search for the fast ball while outside the off stump. The bowlers consistently bowl a fairly good length. This is, of course, the first law in bowling, but they must try and cultivate either spin, swerve, or variation of pace. The ground fielding of the representatives has been particularly gratifying, but catching practice is essential in this connection. I hope that more time will be devoted to it in the coming season.

“In •connection with the representative players selected for practice, I would suggest that the nets he definitely abolished, and instead arrangement made for some form of wi-cket in the centre of the ground, thus giving one and all representative match practice, which means not only batting and howling, practice, but more particularly positional field play. I would also'suggest that the representatives be given at least three nights a week practice. Players selected for representative practice should realise that it Is an honour to represent their province, and not an obligation, and they should, therefore, be most regular in their attention at practice.”