3 FEBRUARY 1933, Page 3

Australia and the M.C.C.

The Australian Cricket Board of Control, as we ex- pected, have not thought it necessary to cancel the remaining matches between the Test teams, and their reply to the M.C.C. is dignified and courteous. They do not withdraw their objection to " body-line " bowling but there is to be no further question of altering the rules this season. In announcing the appointment of a com- mittee to report on the action " necessary to eliminate such bowling from all cricket in Australia as from 1933-34

season," it is to be hoped they do not mean that they contemplate separate action. It would be a thousand pities if there were one rule for the game in Australia and another in England. The interests of batsmen and bowlers are identical in both countries. It would be far more satisfactory if representatives of the Australian Cricket Board could discuss the matter frankly with the M.C.C. from every point of view. The controversy on the subject has revealed the fact that the " body-line " question involves other questions, such as that of the 1.b.w. rule, which many cricketers think ought to be altered. The right course is clearly to discuss all these questions together, and to make such alteration of the rules as may seem desirable by agreement. * * * *