27 AUGUST 1965, Page 7

Three-day Bores

.Even if there is an exciting finish to the county cricket championship, it has been one long yawn this wet summer. No team has managed to win v e, en half its matches (Glamorgan can just do it ., ,lhey win their last three—and with them the , Tie) and the appetite of spectators for sitting Illrough damp draws is, I think, almost exhausted. Moreover, a high percentage of such finishes as tlo occur, are contrived. Indeed there are two matches in one. The first, for two points, is a two- ?al/ struggle for first innings points. The second, or ten, is if the weather permits. a complicated t'file-ruled rush for victory on the third day. Runs and wickets are given away and farce is king. „ Being a traditionalist in cricket matters at least I looked nervously on the introduction of knock- Out cricket. But the Gillette Cup has justified 'self, and it may be the forerunner of radical (tnanges in the Championship. And now I'm off N7 the ("ttal to watch England play South Africa. °t a single Yorkshireman in the side. Roll on rugby,