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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 693, 18 June 1903, Page 7

In accordance with expectations ths voting at Lord’s negatived the proposed alterations in the laws of cricket by which the width of the wicket shall be increased from Bin to 9in ; 21 members voted in favour of the innovation and 199 against. The necessary two-thirds majority therefore not being obtained! the proposition was declared lost. It was almost universally felt that no sufficient case had been made out to justify the change, and the strong opposition exhibited in many quarters showed that there was no general desire for the alteration. Mr A. G. Steel, K.C., the president of the M.C.C., in proposing the alteration, told the meeting that wherever three or four cricketers were gathered to discuss cricket reform unanimity was impossible. He elicited a roar of laughter by announcing that as Melbourne had desired the alteration, Sydney had, of course, objected. Lord Harris having seconded the proposition, Mr W. E. Denison opened the attack by declaring that so far gs could be judged the majority of both first and second-class counties, and. the great majority, also, of ordinary clubs, opposed to the change, which was also strongly discountenanced in Sydney, America, and South Africa. Mr Denzil Onslow, taking the same side, pointed out that the over had been increased from four to five balls in order to save time, but, on the otherhand, the tea interval still existed, and in a. three-day match wasted quite an hodr. Finally, he brougut iout the great point that widening the wicket would entail slower hatting, whereas all that was wanted was bright and ,good all -round cricket: The proposition was 'then put to the vote, and failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority. ,