COLLINGE BEING SAVED FOR TEST

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31306, 28 February 1967, Page 19

COLLINGE BEING SAVED FOR TEST

The New Zealand cricket selectors (Messrs M. Chapple, K. Deas and D. Mac Anderson) are keeping the fast bowler R. Collinge in “cotton wool” for the first test starting at New Plymouth on Friday.

They requested the Central Districts to rest Collinge from the match between Central Districts and Australia which starts at Palmerston North today because of the possibility of him “losing his edge.”

This the Central Districts ' selectors have done, not without, perhaps, some misgivings, 1 as the absence of Collinge , will weaken the Plunket Shield holders considerably. I However, there is a more I than adequate replacement in i

G. Bartlett, who is fit and bowling very fast and accurately. He will cause the Australian team some difficulty. The prospects of Central Districts in emulating Canterbury and defeating the tourists must be still considered

to be rosy, in spite of the absence of Collinge. The batting is strong with plenty of depth, the fielding nothing short of brilliant at most times, and the bowling varied and aggressive. Coupled with the possibility of Australia resting some key players before the test, these factors make Central Districts a team to be respected.

The Australian team will be announced this morning. The Central Districts team is: V. Pollard (captain), P. Coutts, D. MacLeod, B. E. Congdon, M. P. Baker, B. W. Yuile, G. A. Bartlett, R. R. Schofield, G. Doublas, B. Andrews, M. Howell; twelfth man, D. Payton.