Squash Team Left For Australia

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30211, 16 August 1963, Page 18

Squash Team Left For Australia

[By our Squash Racquets Correspondent!

The New Zealand squash rackets teams of four men and four women left yesterday for Melbourne, and the Australian inter-State series and national championships. The women return to New Zealand on September 1, but the mi n s team will tour New South Wales from Septemoer 2 before returning direct to Christchuich for the New Zealand championship meeting on September 13. There is reason to doubt the wisdom of sending another team of women. The top women toured Australia last season, but their standard is still far bemw that of Australia, and it is doubtful if much benefit is to be gained

when such a wide difference exists. For the same outlay eight men could have been sent, there is giounds for much optimism that our men can, in reasonable time, provide real opposition for Australia, given com.nuous play of the highest class and good coaching. C. R Waugh looks a betier all-round player each season. He is certain as a result of this tour to show further signiff -ant improvement. JL S. Walker must also benefit greatly—it is to be hoped that his ankle injury gives him no trouble. The selection of I. T. Easton ahead of others of Walker’s age and ability was surprising, but he will certainly not be out of his class.

When the team reaches Christchurch it is likely that most interest will centre on G. L. Bird, of Timaru, for this season he has shown greatly-improved concentration and application. He is now less likely to lapse into the errors that have cost him many an unnecessary loss. Bird gave fine displays in winning the Canterbury open title at Christchurch; he was less spectacular but extremely effective in winning the South Island title. With steady driving to a fine length, variation of shot and severe winners Bird beat his old adversary, K. R. Green, in the South Island semifinal. For once Green could not upset Bird's game; Bird was content to rally and await the

opening, and it was a great surprise to find him outmatching Green in length Green's great weapon in previous encounters.

In the final. Bird, almost equalled in pace by G. A. Davidson, was not tempted to try for almost impossible winners He often conceded Davidson court position, and in an unusual role for him, he retrieved splendidly. But he looked a much finer player than ever, when he, reached front court where his great winning shots left Davidson with no answer. In this match, Bird actually made fewer errors than hfs opponent. In Australia in 1959 Bird impressed greatly; it is to be hoped that this potential is now to be fully realised