Barrington Dropped, But Milburn Back

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31762, 20 August 1968, Page 15

Barrington Dropped, But Milburn Back

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON. The England selectors have dropped the 37-year-old veteran, Ken Barrington, for the fifth test against Australia, which will start at the Oval on Thursday.

Barrington leads the England averages at 56.66, and his omission can only be a vote of censure against his slow batting.

C. Cowdrey will return to lead England after injury kept him out of the fourth test, at Headingley. C. Milburn, England’s 18stone power-hitting batsman who was forced out of the last two tests because of a wrist injury, is also back in the side.

With E. Dexter available again and in favour, judging by his much publicised return to test cricket in the Headingley test, the axe fell on Barrington.

Barrington has scored consistently in this test series after missing the first test through injury, but his run rate has come tn for heavy criticism, particularly at Headingley where he allowed the Australian bowlers to dictate terms. Previous Occasion

Barrington was omitted on a previous occasion as a censure against his slow playin a series against New Zealand and immediately after a test century performance. Because G. Boycott (Yorkshire) was again unavailable, R. Prideaux (Northampton) will hold his place. The England team Is stacked with batting strength with Prideaux. J. Edrich, Mil-

burn, Dexter, Cowdrey and T. Graveney. The England twelve is: Cowdrey (captain), Edrich, Prideaux, Milburn, Dexter, Graveney, A. Knott, A. Illingworth, D. Underwood. D. Brown, J. Snow and K. Higgs.