England Names 13 Men For First Test

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 9

England Names 13 Men For First Test

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

CRICKET

Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 4.

London cricket writers, commenting on the selectors’ choice of the 13 players from which England’s eleven will be picked for the first test, agreed that those likely to be omitted when the team is announced will be those of two of the four slow bowlers. The players chosen for the first test, which will start at Trent Bridge on Thursday, are: P. B. H. May, captain (Surrey), aged 26. R. Appleyard (Yorkshire), 31. T. E. Bailey (Essex), 32. M. C. Cowdrey (Kent). 24. T. G. Evans (Kent), 35. T. W. Graveney (Gloucestershire). 2&. J. C. Laker (Surrey). 34. G. A. R. Lock (Surrey), 26. A. E. Moss (Middlesex), 25. P. E. R. Richardson (Worcestershire), 24. J. B. Statham (Lancashire), 25. J. H. Wardle (Yorkshire), 33. W. Watson (Yorkshire), 33. The average age is 28 years. The 13 were announced after a final few hours of talks between the chairman of the England selectors (Mr G. O. Allen) and his fellow selectors, Messrs Leslie Ames, Wilf Woolier and Cyril Washbrook. They had also coopted the services of the captain. Peter May. “Nothing Ambitious or Original’’ The cricket writer of “The Times’’ says nothing ambitious or original has been attempted, and no surprises have been sprung by the selectors. “With six bowlers among the names, the Australian batsmen are not much forewarned in knowing exactly whom they will have to meet.’’ He predicts that Statham and Moss will open the bowling. “It is the spin attack which is undecided, and one imagines they will leave out two of the four slow bowlers. If the wicket is in the true Trent Bridge tradition, it will last for ever, with the ball hardly deviating at all; in this case Laker will probably be one of those to go. He is, it is true, the most proficient batsman of the four, but he is at his best with the ball only when he can work his spin.’’ Discussing England’s batting order, he says that England is as flush with top-class bowlers as she is short of the right kind of batsmen. He favours Watson opening with Richardson. “To expose Cowdrey and Graveney to the new ball seems a risk not worth taking. Both prefer to bat lower down, and that is where their successes have been. It may not be desirable to open an innings with two left-handers, but in this case it seems the best proposition.’’ Richardson and Graveney

The “Daily Mail” writer, Alex Bannister, believes that Richardson will open with Graveney, Cowdrey or Watson. He favours for the batting order Graveney with Richardson, followed by May, Cowdrey and Watson. E. W. Swanton said in the “Daily Telegraph” that for their batsmen the selectors have gone for their class horses, though in one case, that of Cowdrey, he had not been running exactly to Derby form. They had also opted for sending in one of the batsmen not normally an opener with Richardson in the absence of an outstanding candidate. Frank Rostron in the “Daily Express” said that rightly the selectors had decided on a “no surprise, no experiment” side to start the series. Richardson, the only regular opener, would definitely be number one, but the Australians were left to guess whether his partner would be May, Graveney. Cowdrey, or Watson, Rostron said. One Newcomer The only newcomer to an England team—though not to international cricket—is Richardson. He is the eldest of three left-handed brothers and first played for Worcestershire in 1949. In 1953 when he exceeded 2000 runs for the season he was leg before to Lindwall for a duck. Richardson has twice run up against the Australians this year and each time has acquitted himself well. He made 30 not out in the opening match of the tour this year. At Lord’s last week-end he returned on the last day for the M.C.C. to reach 36 not out. having had to retire hurt the day before after a crack on the head from a ball bowled by Archer. Richardson has developed his cricket by constant practice. He and his brother, Derek, played for Worcestershire and have nets on their farm at Norton. Only Richardson and the fast bowler, Alan Moss, have not played against Australia. Moss has played in one previous test —against the West Indies in Jamaica in 1954. Moss and Statham comprise the pace attack backed by the fast mediumpaced Bailey. Bailey may have to take a more prominent part with the new ball should Statham’s groin muscle injury, which he is resting this weekend, upsets his intention to play on Thursday. Moss has been in great form this seasen and claimed his first hat-trick a few weeks ago against Gloucestershire at Lord’s. Although his wickets I

against the Australians at Lord’s last 1 week-end were limited, he bowled well and commanded respect. Four Spinners

Two left-arm slow bowlers, Johnny Wardle and Tony Lock, are included in the four spin bowlers named. Both are useful batsmen, and Wardle is one of the finest bowlers in the world on a rain-affected wicket. He took five for 28 against the Australians at Bradford in the Yorkshire match. Lock took seven for 49 against the Australians in the second innings at the Oval. Jim Laker is a right-hander, who from his performance on a dry, turning wicket at the Oval, must be a great threat to the Australians should a similar pitch seem likely at Trent Bridge. Willie Watson’s test career has been spasmodic. Three years ago he saved England at Lord’s, making 109 on his debut against Australia. His best position is No. 5, but he has often opened with Hutton for Yorkshire. As an opener against Derbyshire yesterday, Watson made only 3. Cowdrey, in his opening role against Derbyshire last week—watched by the selectors—made a first innings 4 and a second innings 68. Yesterday against Nottinghamshire he opened, making 33, giving two chances. Tom Graveney, who has occasional lapses, made 60 opening against Sussex last week and yesterday was caught at slip for 19 against Hampshire. Godfrey Evans’s appointment as wicket-keeper was expected. The only notable omissions from the England team are three batsmen—Reg. Simpson, who is captain of Nottinghamshire, the Lancashire left-hander, Alan Wharton, and the Sussex sixfooter, Alan Oakman, at present engaged in his second match against the Australians, having made 80 against them at Lord's last week-end.