Cricketers 'not louts', says Doig (15 October 1998)

15 October 1998

Cricketers 'not louts', says Doig

The Christchurch Press

The perception of New Zealand cricketers as "booze-drinking louts" by some of the public is unfair, said NZC's chief executive, Christopher Doig.

Doig said some of the public had an image of the team taken from the past of beer-swilling and unprofessional antics.

"We are now constantly getting good reports about the team's behaviour from airline staff, at hotels, and from the general public," he said.

Doig said the group had responded well to the code of conduct enforced by team manager John Graham, and was an exceptionally well-disciplined sports team.

Doig said he wanted the public to judge the side not from past off-field problems, but how it was now.

Meanwhile no domestic player transfer system will be enforced by NZC in the near future.

The movement of some players, including Robert Kennedy (Otago) and Carl Bulfin (Central Districts) both to Wellington, and Bryan Young (Northern Districts) to Auckland this season, had prompted calls from some associations for a formalised transfer system.

"But it was found not necessary to be introduced at this stage. A code of ethics ... should be sufficient, although the issue could be re-visited."

Doig said domestic player payments had been finalised with confirmed wages for players including $1000 (Shell Trophy match), $500 (Shell Cup), $250 (Cricket Max), and $1500 (Conference Cricket and New Zealand A).

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)