SIMPSON RETURNS TO LEAD TEST XI

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 15

SIMPSON RETURNS TO LEAD TEST XI

(X.Z. Press Association-- Copyright) SYDNEY. In spite of his failures in the Sheffield Shield match which finished yesterday, R. B. Simpson has been recalled to lead Australia in the second cricket test against England, which starts at Melbourne on December 30. . Simpson missed the first test, in Brisbane, because of a broken arm, and returned to cricket last week-end, playing for New South Wales against South Australia.

He scored 10 in the first innings, a duck in the second, and New South Wales, the shield holder, was beaten by five wickets.

The team is:— Simpson, B. C. Booth (vicecaptain), P. Allan, P. J. Burge, A. Connolly, A. T. W. Grout, R. M. Cowper, W. M. Lawry, G. D. McKenzie, P. Philpott, T. R. Veivers, K. D. Walters. The twelfth man will be named on the morning of the match. There are two changes from the 12 chosen for the first test, Simpson replacing I. R. Redpath, and the Western Australian pace bowler, G. D. McKenzie, coming in for N. J. Hawke. McKenzie lost his place in the first test because of injury, being replaced by Connolly, and now Hawke is out for the same reason. He pulled a muscle during the N.S.W.-South Australia match in Adelaide yesterday. However, the Australian selectors are obviously not completely satisfied with McKenzie .His inclusion is subject to medical fitness.

The changes expected in some quarters from the side that had the better of the first test have not been made.

It was suggested that B. A. Jarman, the South Australian wicket-keeper, who made a century against New South Wales, and the young spinner.

D. Sincock. would replace Grout and Veivers. While Veivers was not a success as a bowler at Brisbane his splendid innings of 56 not out, probably weighed heavily with the selectors for Australia's batting is not long in the tail. Veivers obviously is being given another chance, and on a pitch where his off-breaks may prove more effective.