TEST MATCH TODAY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 10

TEST MATCH TODAY

CRICKET

BIG CROWD EXPECTED AT LANCASTER PARK DEWDNEY AND FURLONGE IN WEST INDIES TEAM Two changes have been made in the West Indies team for the second test against New Zealand at Lancaster Park today. H. Furlonge, an opening batsman, has replaced A. Binns, the wicket-keeper batsman who played in the first test, and T. Dewdney. an opening bowler, replaces the fast bowler. F. King, who injured a leg muscle in the first test at Dunedin. The most satisfactory news, for the West Indies and intending spectators, is that E. D. Weckes will be able to play. Weekes suffered a muscle injury in Wellington, and for the last few days has been receiving treatment for it at the Christchurch Public Hospital. Weekes did not practise with the West Indies yesterday, and others absent were S. Ramadhin, J. D. Goddard, and B. H. Pairaudeau. King bowled for some time at considerably less than his full pace, and although he showed no sign of a limp it is clear that the West Indies selectors are unwilling to risk playing him without further rest. Last year against the Australians King suffered similar muscle injuries. Neither Binns nor Furlonge has achieved any startling batting performances. but Furlonge made 65 in the recent match against Wellington, and he is probably the best close-to-the-wicket fieldsman in a talented

team Dewdney had a match analysis of six for 84 against Wellington, and three for 35 against Canterbury, and in three minor matches captured 15 wickets for only 89 runs. He is not as fast as King, but does rather more with the ball. The West Indies obviously enjoyed their practising yesterday morning, although overnight rain made the pitch rather treacherous. The New Zealanders practised for more than two hours in the morning, and had another solid work-out in the afternoon. In the morning there was no more impressive bowler than T. B. Burtt, the former New Zealand leftarm spinner, who was among a group of Christchurch players asked to attend to give more variety to the bowling. AH the New Zealand players are fit, and yesterday there was an unmistakeable air of determination about them. If they can carry that with them into the match it should be a most interesting encounter. The pitch does not look as if it will break bowlers’ hearts, although it is hard and true. Bookings for the match have been excellent, and if the weather remains fine, as expected, it is likely that about 15,000 will watch the first day’s play. The teams are:— West Indies:—D. Atkinson (captain), B. H. Pairaudeau. H. Furlonge, C. Depeiza. S. Ramadhin. A. L. Valentine. G Sobers. J. D. Goddard. T. Dewdney, G. O. Smith and E. D. Weekes. A. Binns is twelfth man. New Zealand:—J. R. Reid (captain), B. Sutcliffe. L. S. M. Miller, J. E. F. Beck. S. C Guillen. I. McK. Sinclair, S. *N. McGregor. A. R. Mac Gibbon, A. F. Lissette, J. W. Guy and R. W. Blair. The twelfth man is B. Haworth. “We came here to win. and hone to do so again, but we do not think we will be going into a walk-over,” said the West Indies cantain yesterday. “We do not expect it to be as easy as the first test—far from it.”