Bowling, Batting Strength In N.Z.’s “Test” Team

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 3

Bowling, Batting Strength In N.Z.’s “Test” Team

(By

R. T. BRITTENDEN)

New Zealand will present a formidable threat to the Australians in the match which begins at New Plymouth on Friday. New Zealand’s strong pace attack, batsmen who have shown convincing form, and the Australians’ own frailties hint that this four-match unofficial test series will be far more closely fought than some in other years.

On the last Australian visit seven years ago, New Zealand led the tourists in the first two tests, and was in a very strong position, each time, in these drawn games. In the remaining two matches, Australia was clearly the stronger side.

This season, something similar may occur. The Australian top batsmen, apart from N. C. O’Neill, have not shown convincing form, but it cannot be very long before the tourists produce their best as a team. Moreover, the return to the side of R. Bitinead will probably strengthen the Australians considerably. Although there has been some good bowling from the Australians in their matches so far, New Zealand’s provincial players have discovered that they have been able to score runs at a reasonable rate at both ends. If Bitmead succeeds in keeping a really tight rein on New Zealand batsmen with his slow left-arm bowling, it would strengthen the whole attack. The Australians already have a very high regard for the bowling of R. C. Motz, and with support from B. R. Taylor and R. S. Cunis, New Zealand has a fine pace attack. There is. too, the possibility that G. A. Bartlett may again be found in a New Zealand team. He left Christchurch with the avowed intention of giving up bowling on medical advice. But the unpredictable Bartlett has since been bowling fast, and well.

With Bartlett in the wings, the Australian team must have some discomforting thoughts about New Zealand’s pace bowling. As expected, B. W. Yuile won the slow bowling position, but J. M. Mclntyre must have been given close consideration, and Yuile will need to be at his best to retain his place. It seems certain that R. O. Collinge, the fourth pace man > chosen, will be twelfth man I for the first test. The selectors cannot have had too much difficulty in i choosing the six batsmen. < They may have had fleeting i doubts about the merits of K. ■ Thomson and M. G. Burgess. If a touring team had been < chosen yesterday, Burgess > would undoubtedly have been in it. But to have left Thomi son out of the side for New i Plymouth would have been i difficult, for after a great run t of scores, he lost his wicket ! in exceptional circumstances several times, for small ' scores. ■ Obviously the selectors I have seen beyond the score- • sheet and chosen a man who • has it in him to make a pro- . found impression in New Zea- ■ land cricket. B. A. G. Murray, of Wel- • lington, was perhaps a little • unlucky to be passed over for ■ T. W. Jarvis, but he may yet ; have his chance. He is a forth- ■ right batsman, a quick starter who could bat further down the list.

The choice of R. I. Harford as wicket-keeper must have been made after much debate. His dogged batting on Saturday must have helped him; competition was extremely close.

So New Zealand goes into the first match of the series with hopes high, a situation it does not often enjoy. Several of the batsmen have scored well against the Australians, the bowling must command respect, and the fielding should be first-class. The fast bowlers will be comforted and assisted by the knowledge that Dowling, Jarvis, Congdon, Yuile and Pollard are likely to be in close catching positions. The rather longer spread of the Plunket Shield matches this season, and the provincial matches against the Australians, have given New Zealand players an unusual opportunity to retain form. Often, they have gone into a test after about 10 weeks of club cricket. It is a chance which should not be wasted.