D’Oliveira Recalled To England Test 12

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 17

D’Oliveira Recalled To England Test 12

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. England’s cricket selectors yesterday caused a surprise by recalling B. F. D’Oliveira as an emergency for the fifth test against Australia, which will start at the Oval today.

D’Oliveira comes into England’s 12 after the withdrawal today of R. M. Prideaux who has bronchitis. O'Oliveira’s recall has wider significance than merely filling the all-rounder’s gap in England’s line-up in a test match that it must win to level the series.

The English selectors have indicated that D’Oliveira is still well in the running for the approaching M.C.C. tour to South Africa. The selection of a South African-born Cape Coloured in the M.C.C. ranks might prove a most embarrassing test of South Africa’s apartheid policy.

Dropped After First Critics yesterday agreed that if D’Oliveira can find a place in England’s present 12, then he can hardly fail to qualify in England’s touring party of 16 players, to be named immediately after the fifth test.

D’Oliveira played in the first test against Australia at Old Trafford and made a courageous 87 not out on the last day. But England suffered a resounding defeat and D’Oliveira was made one of the scapegoats. His recall has added several question marks to England’s final line-up. Presumably, in Prideaux’s absence, C. Milburn will take over the opener’s role as J. H. Edrich's partner. If D'Oliveira is included as a batsman primarily, one of the bowlers would have to go. It could be the left-arm spinner, D. Underwood, or one of the fast bowlers, K. Higgs, D. Brown or J. Snow. The England selectors are playing this one close to their chests and critics yesterday were divided on the likely twelth man.

A fitness trial at the Oval nets this morning will decide whether R. M. Cowper is fit to play for Australia. Cowper had planned a private practice session at Lord’s yesterday but when he arrived at the ground he found that all his gear had been packed and sent to the oval.

A X-ray yesterday revealed two hairline fractures in his left thumb. The danger seems to be that he could be more vulnerable to a hard knock in the field than when batting. The likelihood is that the Australian selectors will be eager to gamble with Cowper because there is no adequate substitute. The weather in London was fine yesterday and the general forecast is for fine weather during the test