Sportsman’s Notebook Australian Selectors Influenced By Pitch

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30036, 22 January 1963, Page 11

Sportsman’s Notebook Australian Selectors Influenced By Pitch

The Adelaide pitch with its reputation as a batsman's paradise has already influenced the selection of the Australian team for the fourth test which starts on Friday. By dropping the Victorian fast bowler C. Guest, and including another batsman, the Australian selectors apparently consider that the match is destined to end in a draw. After its humiliating batting collapse in the second innings of the third test, England cannot have the same feeling about the result The England opening pair, G. Pullar and D. S. Sheppard, have produced 0,5, 4, and 0 as their contribution to the start of England’s last four innings. Even a near repetition of those efforts could quickly alter any notion that the match is destined to end in a draw. This failure of the England opening batsmen is all the more unfortunate for England because of the additional responsibility placed on E. R Dexter.

In the first test when England got away to a reasonable start in both innings, Dexter played two superbly aggressive innings, hi the second test, when he virtually was an opening batsman, he still scored runs but never was really in command. England cannot afford to again have Dexter shackled to the task °i opening the innings. If the England selectors decide to find a new opening batsman, or batsmen, it is unlikely that they will call on M C. Cowdrey. He dislikes opening and after his consistent failures as an opening batsman early in the tour, and then his grent form when batting lower down, his greatest value to England undoubtedly is at number four If is At, it is quite possible that T. W. Graveney could open. He is certain to be chosen for the fourth test and he has opened with some success against Australia in other test matches. If Graveney opens, P. H. Parfitt could keep his place. He has not looked convincing against the Australian bowlers but his brilliant fielding would make him more valuable than B. R. Knight, whose all-round play is marred by careless fielding—a department in which England has not excelled and cannot afford more weak links. After the success of F. J. Titmus with his off-spinners in the third test, the England selectors no doubt will be tempted to include D. A. Allen in the team. If the batting is not weakened he would have to replace either J. B. Statham or L. J. Coldwell Neither bowled impressively at Sydney and as the Adelaide pitch is unlikely to assist seam bowling. Coldwell could be dropped. Now without a third fast bowler Australia obviously will be placing its reliance in the three leg-spin bowlers, R- B. Simpson, N. O’Neill and R. Benaud as the basis of its attack after Davidson has used the new ball However, the dropping of Guest could be a mistake. Davidson bowled well in the third test because he could be used in short spells. With Guest out probably K. Mac Kay will be used to support the pace

attack—not a very positive move.

Australia too has its batting problems—O’Neill and R. N. Harvey have been in wretched form in tests. But it is unlikely that O’Neill will be made twelfth man. His bowling is useful and his fielding is worth at least 30 runs an innings to Australia. And if he strikes form he is the one Australian batsman capable of subduing the England attack.

After its decisive win at Sydney, Australia naturally has regained much of the confidence it lost after the second test. However, if its attitude is that of playing for a draw and waiting for the Sydney test to assert its superiorly it could run into bother. Australian teams are at their best when they are playing aggressive cricket. * ¥ ¥ Record Attempt An attempt on the New Zealand quarter-mile record is to be made by the Empire Games silver medallist in the half-mile, Marise Chamberlain (Canterbury), at the Dorrie Leslie Shield contest between Wellington and Canterbury on Saturday. The meeting is being held in Wellington. Although this will be Miss Chamberlain’s first quartermile race of the season, she has cause to feel fairly confident after breaking the halfmile and 800 metres record times at Masterton last Saturday. She already holds the quarter-mile record but hopes to improve on it so as to have two events in hand if the proposed invitation for six New Zealand women to compete in the Australian championships comes off. ¥ * * Indoor Soccer The indoor soccer season started last night with 11 senior teams playing in Cowles Stadium. Started in Christchurch last year the sport was originally intended as a training exercise for outdoor soccer. However, it soon developed into a competition. An indoor soccer team comprises only five players, and the game is designed to perfect passing and dribbling techniques so no handling the ball or kicking higher than the waist is allowed.

This year an under 20 grade, with 12 teams, has been started. All teams come from regular outdoor soccer clubs. * ¥ *

Canterbury’s Hopes

Canterbury’s hopes of success in the vital Plunket Shield match at Hamilton this week received a boost in the form displayed by K. A. Thomson on Saturday. Batting in the President’s grade Thomson scored a century in about one hour.