LORD HAWKE’S ADVICE.

Lord Hawke said that he feared the majority of the county clubs had been led away with the idea that some great changes in cricket were absolutely necessary. While some small alterations might please the public, he begged them to think twice before making drastic changes. As to Lancashire’s proposal to play two days instead of three, surely, with a higher standard of play and the great wish of the public to see a finish, it was folly to recommend reduced hours of play. Taking the Yorkshire results for 1911 and 1913, of the twenty-eight matches in each season only four and five respectively were finished on the second day, and by the proposed extended hours only nine more of the fifty-six would have attained a definite result in two days. Two day matches would mean a loss of revenue, for if one of the days were wet there would be no third day to recoup. Lancashire’s proposal to commence play at two o’clock each day, and play till eight, would mean that players would not have a satisfactory lunch, and so there would be a more elaborate tea interval. What amateur was going to play till eight, or even 7.30, as a rule, and arrive at his hotel for dinner at nine o’clock or 8.30? The play before lunch was an old-time institution, built up by county members from whom a county club’s real sustenance had always been derived. Essex suggested that the championship should be on a modified scale. In an Australian year the number of matches for the competition had always been reduced to six, and as we were pretty sure to have an Australian tour – although so far no official communication had been received by the Committee of the M.C.C. – it might be taken for granted the M.C.C. would certainly agree to this suggestion. Essex also proposed a, championship of the north and a championship of the south, the winners to fight it out at Lord’s. That was no new idea. On the. other hand, might they not look forward by May, owing to the return of thousands of miners, to a large increase of the train service. Leicester and Sussex proposed, the former not less than five amateurs, and the latter not more than four professionals, to play. County cricket was the essence of our national game; the best players in a county, whether amateur or professional, should in every case be the county’s representatives. Let a county play as many amateurs as it pleased; there should be no hard and fast rules as far as this matter is concerned. He wished to submit the following suggestions to the meeting: 1. Play the ordinary championship with the usual three days, doing all possible to finish in two days. 2. Reduce the number of qualifying matches to six out and home. 3. Hours of play: First day, twelve to seven; second day, 11.30 to seven; third day, 11.30 to 7; lunch at two o’clock on all days. 4. Saturday starts. 5. No tea interval; refreshments could easily be sent out as in old days. 6. Half-price to the public after five o’clock. 7. Umpires not to be so particular as to the state of the wicket after rain. 8. Law 45 (two minutes allowed between batsmen going out and coming in) should be rigorously enforced. The umpires to report at the end of the season, and if unsatisfactory the M.C.C. should be asked to consider a penalty. 9. Seven balls to the over. 10. Captains should persistently instil into their sides keen cricket and more enthusiasm for the game. At the end of a long sitting the following decisions were officially communicated. The county championship is to be carried on in 1919 in a modified form. All county matches are to be restricted to two days, play extending from 11.30 to 7.30 on the first day, and from 11 o’clock to 7.30 on the second day. There will be no tea interval, tea or other refreshment being sent out on to the ground. Matches being limited to two days, there will be no Saturday starts. A minimum of six out and home matches will qualify a county to compete for the championship. The proposals to extend the over to seven or eight balls were defeated. The suggestions to limit the professionals in county elevens to any arbitrary number wore also quashed, as was a resolution to abolish nurseries for young county players. The M.C.C. Committee were requested to do all in their power to help cricket in the matter of the Finance Act and the Entertainment Tax. The question of matches for the Australian Services team was held over till the M.C.C. hear officially from the Australian Board of Control. To reduce travelling expenses it was decided to employ local umpires as much as possible, all umpires having to be approved by the M.C.C.