ENGLAND CAPTAIN

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31677, 13 May 1968, Page 14

ENGLAND CAPTAIN

Cowdrey To Lead Side (N.Z P.A.-Reuter —Copprlpho LONDON. M. C. Cowdrey, who led England to victory over the world champion, the West Indies, earlier this year, yesterday accepted the English captaincy for all five cricket tests against Australia.

This will be the first time that Cowdrey has led England in two complete series although, all told, by the fifth test this year, he will have been captain 25 times. Only P. B;,H. May (41) and E. R. Dexter (30) have led England in more tests. M. J. K. Smith was in charge of the team 25 times.

It has not been the custom in recent years tor the selectors to name a captain for the entire series. But bad they appointed Cowdrey for one. two or three games, it would have appeared that he was still on trial, and they almost certainly wanted to avoid giving that impression. ’ Cowdrey’s handling of the side on and off the field in the West Indies brought him high praise. The players, in particular, thought highly of him.

When he leads the side in the third test at Edgbaston, Cowdrey will be playing in his 100th test, the first time anyone has reached that total.

Also announced yesterday was the M.C.C. team to meet Australia at Lord's next Saturday I.' 1 .' It is: F. J. Titmus (captain), D. L. Amiss, G. Arnold, R. W. Barber, G. Boycott, B. L. D’Oliveira, J, H. Edrich, K. Higgs, C. Milburn, R. W. Taylor, D. L. Underwood.