Spinners May Be Match-Winners On Sydney Pitch

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30952, 7 January 1966, Page 11

Spinners May Be Match-Winners On Sydney Pitch

(From W. J. O'REILLY, Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SYDNEY. Captaincy will have a tremendous influence over the result of the third test, which begins in Sydney today. I think the team which bats first will win. R. B. Simpson could not work out a plan to bring the offspinner, T. R. Veivers, into the play even when Veivers had captured important wickets at vital periods in Melbourne. Now that Simpson cannot play, his replacement as captain, B. C. Booth, faces the intriguing job of making valuable use of David Sincock.

Sincock is a spendthrift spinner. He can give runs away as easily as any bowler ever did.

But in among his i spending spree he sends I down deliveries which ; can win matches. He will be a constant challenge to Booth as well as to the English batsmen throughout this test. Tall Tales Recent results imply that Sydney’s wicket will be a sitter for spinners. In the recent inter-state match spinners on both sides collected wickets galore. It would be ridiculous to imagine this would happen in this test. Spinners do well on this pitch but tall tales about spinning the ball two feet can be discounted. Australia’s batting has gained depth. P. J. Burge’s match-saving century in Melbourne is a significant factor in surveying the prospects in this game. The manner in which Burge overcame the full army of England's bowling line-up breeds confidence. K. D. Walters continued his magnificent form and remains a constant threat to the English bowling. This young Australian is able to play whatever style the occasion demands. Booth Worried

W. M. Lawry is prepared to bat for days on end, but Booth’s form is worrying. He is right out of touch. On the other hand England has no reason to worry about its batting. The two openers, R. W. Barber and G. Boycott, set a pace which flattened the Australian attack in Mel-

bourne and they directed; their side well on the way! toward winning. M. C. Cowdrey is ready to take any bowling apart. His Melbourne innings was an ominous sign. He should be lifted to third position on the batting list from which he could cash in heavily on another good start from Barber and Boycott. England’s batting right down the line is strong and sturdy, and F. J. Titmus’s courageous effort in Melbourne was a prime example. Man for man. it is stronger than Australia’s Hawke’s Return Australia will be strengthened by the return of N. J. Hawke but so too will England by the presence of D. Brown. I cannot find a place in England’s side for either B. R. Knight and I. J. Jones, who played in Melbourne. Brown and K. Higgs should replace them and in these two Australia will find a mucji tougher proposition. This test is so wide open that the privilege of batting first on a wicket that has never been chary about favouring enthusiastic bowling is likely to decide the outcome.

Good, level-headed, encouraging captaincy will play an enormously important part. I welcome Sincock’s entry into the series. Most people think he is a terribly expensive luxury but I reckon that the hitting power he possesses is something Australia must be prepared to pay for. It is up to Booth to see this investment pays off.