THREE NEW CAPS IN SHIELD TEAM

Press, Volume C, Issue 29699, 18 December 1961, Page 18

THREE NEW CAPS IN SHIELD TEAM

Three players new to Plunket Shield cricket have been included in the Canterbury team to play Auckland at Christchurch on December 25, 26 and 27. They are B. G Hadlee, the season’s outstanding batsman, a right-hander: D. Hill, another right-hand batsman; and P Truscott, a right-hand batsman and useful right-handed bowler of fast-medium pace. The team, chosen by Messrs F. Dennis, W. A. Hadlee and A. R. Mac Gibbon, is;— A. R Mac Gibbon (Old Collegians) captain. G. G. Coull (North Canterbury). J. H. M. Dawson (Old Collegians). A. G. Duckmanton (Lancaster Park). J. England (Old Collegians). D. L. Gallop (Sydenham). B. G. Hadlee (Old Boys). D. Hill (Old Boys). J. W. Kiddey (Riccarton). M. B. Poore (St. Albans). K. Thomson (Sydenham). P. Truscott (Sydenham). The twelfth man will be announced shortly before the Start of play. Two other players—a left-arm spin bowler, D. J. McKendry (Lancaster Park), and a leftarm fast bowler, N. F. Curtis (Old Collegians)—have been asked to continue practising witn the team. There are no startling selections in this team. Coull, like Poore, Dawson, and Gallop, has not played for Canterbury for several'seasons. But he is a correct and courageous player, whose form at the nets has been most impressive. Dawson has achieved few spectacular successes, but he is an earnest, energetic, and accurate pace bowler. Hadlee’s selection must have been almost automatic, after his magnificent displays this season. Although Truscott is an indifferent fieldsman, his hard-hitting batting has brought him many good scores this summer, and it is to be hoped his own positive approach will be reflected in the team’s policy. It was a little surprising to find both Duckmanton and Poore in the side, because their bowling is so similar. But both earned their places as batsmen, and they may

both play against Auckland, particula'ly if the eelectors feel that the new respect Thomson has won for his bowling ie sufficient to put him in the side for limited duties in their sphere. Gallop’s return was warranted, and welcome. He has bowled very ably this summer, and his batting has continued to advance. The reappearance of Poore will also please everyone, for he is far from being a veteran. Poore’s batting has a classical quality lacking in almost everyone else. The omission of I. R. Hartland was a little unexpected, tor he made a very good impression last season, and it is a pity that he has not, so far at any rate, been encouraged by retention. However, his form at the nets has been a little discouraging. B. A. Bolton must have been left out only after much thought, for he is a very useful cricketer, and one whose batting talents have not been fully expressed. C. R. Nicholson, the Sydenham pace bowler, might have been in had he been fit. and W. M. Duncan (Old Boys) must also have been on the short list for selection. The team chosen is for the first game only, so that some of those who narrowly missed selection—including such as B. F. Hastings and A. R. Taylor—could find a place later. The 12 named include some aggressive and attractive batsmen. It is a little disquieting, perhaps, that the side includes so many who could be regarded as allrounders; but the selection has been made with a very clear regard for current form, only Thomson being something of a gamble. B Team Selected The Canterbury B team for the southern tour is: G. T. Barrett, M. J. Bear, B A. Bolton, N. F. Curtis, W. M. Duncan, I. R. Hartland, B. F. Hastings, E. R. Hignett. C. R. Nicholson, B. Shewan (wicket-keeper, South Canterbury), and A. C. Timpson. Six members of the team have already had first-class experience. Practice Match A team chosen to play against the Plunket Shield team at Hagley Oval at 11 am. on Saturday is:— B. A. Bolton (captain), G. T. Barrett, J. Baird (Christ’s College), W. M. Duncan, I R Hartland, B. F. Hastings, E. R. Hignett, D. J. McKendry, C. R. Nicholson, L. Smith (Technical. Old Boys), and P. Trusscott.