CRICKET REFORM

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10305, 14 January 1927, Page 5

CRICKET REFORM

MR SYDNEY, SMITH’S PROPOSALS ALLOWANCE TO TOURING PLAYERS INSTEAD OF BONUS. AUSTRALIA’S WEAKNESS. DEARTH OF SPIN AND ‘LENGTH BOWLERS. (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received Jan. 13, 9.60 p.m.) SYDNEIY, Jan. 13. Speaking at a luncheon given by the Millions Oub, Mr. Sidney Smith, manager of the Australian eleven which visited Britain, said one financial aspect of the tour was not published by the Board of Control. This was that the expenses of the last tour were only £7 per head above those of the 1921 tour, notwithstandtransport difficulties owing to the coal strike. The tour yielded £3OOO more in revenue than the 1921 tour. Mr. Smith disclosed that he recommended that in future the Board should make a fair allowance to each player instead of a bonus, thus relieving players of anxiety during the •tour as to whether there was going to be a bonus or not.

Discussing bowling, .Mr. Smith said that Grimmett and Mailey between them took twenty-seven wickets out of thirty-nine in the tests, and 263 out of 511 on the tour. That burden on these two men showed the Australian weakness, which lay in the dearth of spin bowlers and length bowlers with little fire.—TJ.P.A. COLLAPSED 1 CRICKETERS’ BONDS HOLD-UP. SYDNEY, Jan. 13. Efforts made by the players to compel the Bioard of Control to pay a larger bonus collapsed owing to the publicity given their plans and it is now stated that all players available will participate in the Sheffield Shield games.—U.P.A. (Cricketers were greatly dissatisfied with the bonus (£250), Sydney Smith, in his report, having recommended that the amount be £350. During the return trip from England the team, at a meeting, decided that if the Board did not grant a bonus of £3OO they would refuse to participate in any Sheffield Shield matches.) MELBOURNE TEAM FOR N.A BOARD OF CONTROL MUST DECIDE. (Received Jan. 13, Midnight.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 13 The executive of the Victorian Cricket Association considered the application of the Melbourne Cricket Club for permission to send a team to New Zealand at the end of the month. The executive expressed approval of the trip being made, but agreed Il.at the matter came under the jurisdiction of the Board of'Control. Arrangements for the tour are held up pending the Board’s sanction being obtained.--U.P.A.