CRICKET SELECTORS HAVE PROBLEMS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30005, 14 December 1962, Page 6

CRICKET SELECTORS HAVE PROBLEMS

Plunket Shield Team Chosen Tomorrow

The Canterbury Plunket Shield team for the first match of the series, against Otago at Dunedin, will be selected tomorrow. In the choice of batsmen, the problems are so difficult that form in tomorrow’s club cricket could still be a vital factor. The chief concern must be the choice of batsmen. G. T. Dowling, K. Thomson, D. L. Gallop and B. A. Bolton have been in good enough form to suggest that they will be automatic selections.

For bowlers, R. C. Motz and J. W. Kiddey will be the first chosen, although Motz’s recent form has been below his best. J. T. Ward will almost certainly be wicketkeeper. At the nets this week, D Hill has been keeping wickets in the absence of J. E. England, the other regular keeper in the squad, and in this may be seen a desire to play Hill and lengthen the batting. But Hill has not had a good season with the bat. and it is unlikely that the selectors will take the risk of playing a man who has not kept wickets for two years. Willing Horse A willing horse sort of bowler is needed, and the best choice would probably be the energetic J. H M Dawson, although B. H. Hopkins has had some spectacular senior bowling successes With Motz. Kiddey, Dawson, Gallop and Bolton in the team, it may well be that the selectors will have to go without an off-spinner to help out the batting. However, if an off-break

bowler is chosen. It could be B. Irving, A. G. Duckmanton. or A. F Rapley Irving is perhaps the most dangerous on a turning wicket; Duckmanton would help the batting more than the others; but Rapley did very well in the last round, and in his occasional appearances for the province has always been a success. Assuming, however, that no oh'-spinner is chosen—and offbreak bowlers have hardly earned their keep at Carisbrook in the last two seasons or so—three batting places are left. The candidates for these positions are B. F Hastings, B. G. Hadlee, P G. Z. Harris, I. R. Hartland. J. Ruston, G. T. Barrett, and D Hill. Difficult Choice It is not an easy choice. Hastings has been rather erratic in club games, but in his only innings for Canterbury last summer he scored 149 against Central Districts Hadlee, too, has not been among the Tins, but he did well enough in his first season to warrant retention: too often in the past, promising players have been dropped as soon as they have a failure or two.

Harris has done very little, but he is a fine fighter, and his deeds in South Africa are

remembered with pride Hartland's claims were strengthened by his fine display in the last club round; Ruston scored consistently throughout the first three matches; and Barrett, a swift improver last season, again has strong claims. On the grounds that someone with experience is needed in a list of aggressive batsmen, the ability of Harris to adapt himself and to fight hard in a tight corner should win him a place. The selectors should show their faith in Hadlee; and the last place will probably go to Hastings. But there could be little criticism if Hartland—who is, however, not a fast-moving fieldsman— Ruston or Barrett won a place. Canterbury's first team may well be: Dowling, Bolton, Hadlee, Harris, Hastings, Thomson, Gallop, Motz. Dawson, Kiddey, Ward.