PROSPECTS FOR U.K. TOUR EMERGED IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31339, 8 April 1967, Page 11

PROSPECTS FOR U.K. TOUR EMERGED IN N.Z.

ALTHOUGH the Australian cricketers who lost the international series with New Zealand may not have enjoyed heroes’ welcomes on their return tn Australia, it

seems likely that ■ good number of them could win places on the next tour of Bpgland. New Zealand has often been seen as a proper testing ground for Australian players English-bound, because the pitches are said to be similar. Perhaps they have been in the past, but the comparison was less useful this season, with the New Zealand pitches playing, in the main, slowly. The comparative lack of success of J. W. Gleeson, therefore, may not jeopardise his chances of getting to England. To be sure, Gleeson took most wickets for the Australians on tour —27—but they cost him about 27.5 runs each, and these were not the figures expected of Gleeson, who was supposed to have run through New Zealand teams. But Gleeson is a fine bowler, who needs the ball whipping through more to enjoy the full fruits of his labours. He beat the bat much more often than the other Australians. A. Connolly, a failure, pertly through injury, in England in 1964, must rarely win recognition again. His stamina and skill, in long spells of hostile bowling against New Zealand, provided some of the best cricket of the series. From his short run, he is a dangerous and accomplished bowler. There must be lesser hopes for A. Frost, who could be distinctly fast,

but whose concern over bowling footmarks handicapped him end provided him with an ankle injury at Wellington. Of the batsmen, A. P. Sheehan stood out He looks a great prospect accomplished, unassuming, with powers of concentration and strokemaking above the ordinary. G. R. Davies, a useful leg-spinner and a most promising batsman, looked better playing pace than spin, but he must have a very good chance of advancing further. B. N. Jarman was not available for South Africa and is still regarded as Australia's best wicketkeeper. There were times in New Zealand when he showed undeniable brilliance, others when he looked of moderate quality. At 31, he could tour again, if he has the mind to do so. K. Cunningham was the side's most consistant batsman in New Zealand. He looked suspect to the welldirected bouncer, and be could be contained firmly with bowling on his offstump, just short of a length, but he is a sound, solid batsman who could well find a place in the fullsize teams Australia sends to England. Of the older players, only B. C. Booth remains as a candidate for England. He is 33, which is certainly no great age, and he showed at Auckland what a fine batsman he is. His experience and skill could be of much value to an Australian team which will be lacking the lustre of recent conquests.