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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 22, No. 4. April 27, 1959

Cricket

Cricket

Under the present system of awarding New Zealand University Cricket Blues, only the very favoured few have any chance of being awarded one.

The practice of the Blues panel during the past decade or so has been to give Blues to university cricketers of international, or near international, status.

Only a few of the more fortunate have come into this category.

Under the rules governing the award of Blues, it is clearly laid down that cricketers of a "good provincial standard" who take part in Tournament shall be eligible for the award.

Assuming that "a good provincial standard" applies to anyone chosen to represent the six major associations—Central Districts, Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and Northern Districts—it is clear many have been passed over who ought to have qualified.

To quote an example: The N.Z.U. cricket team which toured Australia this year contained three players of first-class stature, yet not one received a Blue in spite of the team's good record on tour. The only award went to John Sparling, the New Zealand off-spinner.

While no-one would want to see Blues cheapened, or awarded willy-nilly to those who did well at Tournament, it is obvious that a change is necessary in the policy of the Blues panel. The rules are there and the Blues panel should be directed to act on the standards laid down.