CRICKET New Zealand Team For First Test At Auckland

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 10

CRICKET New Zealand Team For First Test At Auckland

Experience and fielding ability have strongly influenced the New Zealand cricket selectors in their choice of the rMew Zealand team to play England in the first test at Auckland on February 23, 25, 26 and 27. Nine members of the New Zea land team that toured South Africa a year ago have been included. The only new cap is M. J. F. Shrimpton, the 22-year-old Central Districts batsman.

A surprise is the inclusion of W. R. Playle, the Auckland batsman, who has not represented New Zealand since he toured England in 1958. In the Plunket Shield matches this season, Playle scored only 153 runs in eight matches, with a top score of 31 and an average of 19.1.

The team announced by Mr J. L. Kerr, chairman of the Board of Control of the New Zealand Cricket Council, last evening, is:— J. C. Alabaster (Otego). G. A. Bartlett (Central Districts). P. T. Barton (Wellington). F. J. Cameron (Otago). A. E. Dick (Wellington). G. T. Dowling (Canterbury). R. C. Motz (Canterbury). W. R. Playle (Auckland). J. R. Reid (Wellington), captain. M. J. F. Shrimpton (Central Districts). B. W. Sinclair (Wellington). J. T. Sparling (Auckland). Another surprise is that the selectors (Messrs J. G. Legg. t, J. L. Newman and J. R. Reid) have included only one regular opening batsman, Dowling. Sparling and Sinclair, who have been tried as opening batsmen and have failed, are possibilities, but probably Dowling's partner will be Playle, who has the

virtues of patience and concentration but has not yet channelled them irito runs.

The batsmen obviously have been picked for their experience; only Shrimpton has not played in international matches. However, Plunket Shield performances show that few of the batsmen chosen have measured up to

their reputations, Reid and Dowling, with averages of 59 and 46J), were well clear of the others They are followed by Shrimpton wish an average of 34.8, and the rest of the batsmen. Barton, Sinclair, Sparling, and Playle. are well down the list of first-class averages. Shrimpton, who impressed the M.C.C. team when he I batted for New Zealand Colts against it in 1961, probably earned his selection with his fine innings of 150 against Canterbury. The manner in which he played R. C. Motz and his well-equipped defence marked him as a most promising player. Sparling probably has been chosen because of his ability as an off-spin bowler, particularly since Reid may not be able to bowl in the test matches. Barton, although experiencing a lean season, proved himself in South Africa, and Sinclair has looked one of the best-equipped batsmen against pace bowling—an important attribute against the M.C.C. attack. Dick’s remarkable performances in South Africa warranted his selection as wicketkeeper, but he must have been pressed hard by J. T. Ward, of Canterbury, who has kept more efficiently than Dick this season.

The selection of the bowlers was as expected. Motz and

Cameron have bowled well, and Bartlett has shown that he is still the fastest and most hostile of the New Zealand bowlers, if not the most accurate. Alabaster, although paying a higher price for his wickets than usual, still was the only top-class leg-spinner in the Plunket Shield series. The • Wellington opening bowlers, R. W. Blair and B. D. MorriSon. who headed the wicket takers in the shield series, are unlucky not to gain selection, bu. they had to compete with players who were successful in South Africa and also did well in the shield matches. Northern Districts, which won the Plunket Shield team for the first time, has no representative in the team, but it is more than possible that before the test series has finished, B. Sutcliffe and B. H. Pairaudeau will be earnestly considered by the selectors. Although the New Zealand teain may be suspect in its batting, it is one of the best fielding sides selected for New Zealand. Playle. Bartlett, Dowling, and Reid are outstanding close to the wicket, and Sparling and Sinclair are brilliant in the outfield. The New Zealand team will play a match against Central Districts at New Plymouth on February 18, 19, and 20.