REFLECTION

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31237, 8 December 1966, Page 26

REFLECTION

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. The New Zealand opening batsman, G. P. Bilby, is using a mirror in a bid to end a “nightmare” succession of failures. The Wellington represents, tive is practising in front of a mirror in an attempt to correct his baek-lift. He has taken this action after club scores this season of 19, 10, 12, 10, 12 and 14.

Bilby said yesterday there were two faults in his batting which would have to be eradicated before he would be able to score heavily. “One is my back-lift—l’m not coming down

straight,” he said. “And when I’m going forward, I’m going only half forward—the bat is to the ball, but the foot is only half-way there, and there is a gap between bat and pad. “I’ve got to practise these two things, and then I’ll

be right. “I didn’t work these things out for myself. I went to

Barry Sinclair for help, and he pointed them out. “It’s the first time I’ve ever been in the doldrums over a trot.

“I had one once before but I got out of it by making runs in Plunket Shield series.

“But this year I’m batting so badly I’ll be surprised if I’m selected for the shield team.

“In my own mind I’m struggling to make the shield team, and this must affect my batting.” Bilby was dismissed on Saturday when he changed his mind after shaping to drive. “It’s something you do—you change your mind four times when you are batting badly.”