NOT AVAILABLE Canterbury Must Find New ’Keeper

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30886, 20 October 1965, Page 23

NOT AVAILABLE Canterbury Must Find New ’Keeper

[By

R. T. BRITTENDEN.]

k. Because of business commitments, the Ganteran° .ew Zealand wicket-keeper, J. T. Ward, will □e available for any representative cricket this season.

• . Some weeks ago Ward announced his retirement from n ernational cricket, but he hopes to be a candidate for the Canterbury team next summer.

The loss of Ward is a serious one for Canterbury this season.

He is not only a wicketkeeper of genuine quality, but the team’s vice-captain and a player who by example breeds the spirit needed to produce a successful team. On New Zealands’ overseas tour this year Ward was sadly handicapped by injury, but showed a selflessness which was wholly admirable. Choice Not Easy

The choice of a replacement for Ward will not be easy. Last season, in Christchurch elub cricket, the most successful wicket-keepers were R. K. Allen, who effected 29 dismissals, and K.

Priest, who had 27. Both these players will no doubt be considered, but there are at least three others who will be strong candidates. They are: G. R. McAulay, a Canterbury B 'keeper on several occasions; at his best he is a very active and safe ’keeper. J. E. England will also be

considered. He is the best batsman of those in line for a place as wicket-keeper. Return From Overseas

T. L. Haydon is expected to return to the St. Albans senior team soon after a period in England. Before he went overseas Haydon enjoyed considerable success for St. Albans.

The Show Day matches ita Christchurch against minor associations may disclose other possibilities, such as B. Tutty, of Ashburton, who is also a batsman of ability. The field is a wide one.