1935-36

I
CRICKET.
The Selection Committee consists of: —
The President
The Captain of the Army XI ex officio.
Hon. Secretary J
One representative each from Northern, Southern, Eastern,
and Aldershot Commands.
The Captain of the XI and the Hon. Secretary are elected
annually, and these posts cannot be held by one individual for
more than two years in succession; after the lapse of one year,
however, anyone who has previously held either position is again
eligible for election. The members of the Selection Committee are
chosen in such a way as to represent Corps as far as possible
as well as Commands.
POLICY.
At the very first General Meeting ways and means were explored
whereby the objects of the Association could be fulfilled, and it
was resolved to arrange competitions in Commands, to encourage
cricket and to unearth new talent. Moreover, certain representa-
tive Armv matches were arranged, and it was hoped to arrange a
match between a Combined Navy and Army XI and the Australian
Imperial Forces XI.
Only officers and other ranks on full pay were to be eligible to
play for the Army. At a subsequent meeting methods for
encouraging cricket in Commands were again discussed, but no
definite policy emerged. At the same meeting it was established
that any officer or man selected to play for the Army should
consider that this claim on his services took precedence over all
others, and Command representatives were instructed to
disseminate this doctrine. An ambitious programme, including
matches with some of the counties, was suggested for 1920, but it
was disclosed that Higher Authority did not favour matches against
counties, though it approved inter-Services' matches and matches
against Oxford and Cambridge, and it was suggested that the
Association should devote its energies in the first place to stimulat-
ing and fostering inter-Command cricket and the like.
As it did not appear at this time to be definitely established
which of the Services the Royal Marines were eligible to represent,
it was agreed that the Royal Marines, being an integral part of
the Royal Navy, should always play for the Navy. And it was
re-affirmed that any officer or other rank on full pay, whether a
member of the Indian Army or at home on leave from a station
abroad, should be eligible to play for the Army in representative
matches. It was decided to consult all Commands, and ascertain
the views of units on the best means of encouraging . cricket
throughout the Army. A letter on the subject, in the form of a
questionnaire, was circulated to all units.
As a result of this letter, it came to light that all Commands,
London District excepted, and practically all units, were in favour
of inaugurating an Inter-Unit Competition, on the knock-out
219
i