CRICKET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 17, 26 October 1910, Page 9

CRICKET.

The South Africans. CALLING UP THE “OLD GUARD.’’ It would be infinitely better for the good repute of South African cricket if the governing body transacted all its business in pufblic, as does the South African Rugby Board and the S.A. Football Association (says a writer in the “Cape Times” of August 31). At present the many rumours that are current regarding the difficulties which are being met with in the organisation of the team to visit Australia do not strengthen the idea that the party is likely to be a happy one. Even the tolerant Rand critics, who waxed indignant when it was suggested, several years ago, that an allowance of 8/6 per day, in addition to travelling and out-of-pocket expenses, constituted an act of professionalism, now accept the position with philosophy, and urge that South African cricketers should drop, once and for all, the mask of hypocrisy and pseudo-amateurism. This remark-

able chauge of front is due to the developments of the past few weeks, for, reading between the lines, it is not diflkult to see that sonic of the stars expect a higher remuneration than others, and that 12/ per - day will not tempt them to forsake the golden, glittering Rand. No one can blame auy amateur player for refusing to embark on a tour of this nature if it prejudices hia prospects in life. When, however, he is willing to accept a quid pro quo, contrary to the amateur laws, and in excess of the liberal allowance made to his fellows, the time has arrived when it is necessary to point out that the triangular scheme and the Australian tour can only be carried through by the elimination of the amateur definition from the constitution of the S.A. Cricket Association, and a departure from the true sporting spirit that has characterised undertakings of this nature in the past. South African cricket is paying a very heavy price for the success of the South African team ia ’O6, and the entry into international competition of our representative teams. The authorities are alone responsible for the trouble which has arisen, for if they had acted in accordance with the amateur laws they would never have perpetrated the initial blunder, i.e., the payment of that liberal allowance to the team which toured in England in ’O7. Like Oliver Twist, our representative cricketers, having tasted the sweets of success, now ask for more, whilst declining to ■take the plunge and declare for professionalism, against which there cannot be the slightest objection. Again, in the selection of the team for Australia, the association has committed a technical blunder in calling up the “Old Guard,” players who had left the game two or three years ago, and who ■had not come to the assistance of the association when their services were badly needed last season. This in itself is a confession of weakness, but the biggest mistake of all has been the inclusion in the team of C. B. Llewellyn. No one denies that he is a South African, fully qualified to represent South Africa, but theso tours are undertaken with the idea of developing erieket in the colonies, and not as mere match-winning propositions. There are young players in Natal, in Cape Colony, and in the Transvaal — men who are keen on the game—not on the cash—to whom such a tour would be of incalculable benefit. Take, for instance, Taylor and Samuelson of Natal, Melle and Whitehead of Western Province, Cook of the Border, and many others who eould be named. The young players are those to whom South African cricket will have to look for the future, yet the authorities practically say that the poverty of the material does not warrant the selection, and choose one who has been closely identified with English cricket for the past eight years. Such being the case, the tour should be abandoned, and the forthcoming season devoted to a strong effort to develop the native material that is available but lacks opportunity. To unduly Hatter the giants of the past by pandering to their ever-increasing requirements is to bring the game into disrespect.