THIRD TEST TOMORROW . M.C.C. Plays Golf, N.Z. Toils At Net Practice

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30080, 14 March 1963, Page 20

THIRD TEST TOMORROW . M.C.C. Plays Golf, N.Z. Toils At Net Practice

It was a day of relaxation for the M.C.C. team in Christchurch yesterday but the New Zealand team for the third test beginning on Friday had a strenuous practice at Lancaster Park. All the members of the New Zealand team reported fit, although R. C. Motz, who was injured in the Auckland test, still has his right ankle bandaged.

The players had all arrived at Christchurch by mid-after-noon. and had two nets on the oval at Lancaster Park.

Today there will be an open-wicket practice for the New Zealanders on the back ground at Lancaster Park. It is expected that the M.C.C. team will have nets at the ground this morning. Three members of the team observed what has become something of a tradition with M.C.C. teams in New Zealand. D. S. Sheppard, A. C Smith, and the captain, E. R. Dexter, practised for an hour in the nets at the Christ’s College ground, against extremely eager bowling by members of the college’s first eleven. Golf Enthusiasm Several members of the visiting team displayed an aptitude as well as enthusiasm for golf. At Shirley, K. F. Barrington and J. T. Murray played with Mr J. L. Kerr, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council’s board of control.

Mr Kerr reported that he had “had a good hiding" from Barrington, a proficient

golfer, and Murray “a very good beginner.” Also at Shirley were R. Illingworth and F. J. Titmus, who were accompanied by the former New Zealand test player, A. R. Mac Gibbon. At Waitikiri, the team manager, the Duke of Norfolk. sank a seven-foot putt on the last green to give his partner, Dexter, and himself a victory over the assistant manager, A. V. Bedser, and Mr W. A. Hadlee, president of the Canterbury Cricket Association—this although Bedser had covered the first eight holes in scratch figures. It is expected that some members of the M.C.C. team will be taken fishing at the Rakaia river today. Grassy Pitch The pitch at Lancaster Park looks as if it will be grassy on Friday morning, but it is very similar in appearance to those which played so well during the Plunket Shield season. There is every prospect of the test beginning on a true, fast wicket. Bookings for the match have been good, and considerably in advance for those or the Commonwealth team's match last season, when the Saturday crowd numbered 15,000.