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Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 14

Members of the New Zealand women’s cricket squad have made tremendous improvement since a coaching school in March, says the Cricket Council coach, M. J. Horton, who is conducting a course for the squad ,a 1 the Hagley Sports Centre, in Christchurch. “I am very impressed with the improvement of the players, especially in the way they are hitting the ball,” Horton said yester day. “They have ' obviously been practising during the winter.” Horton also said that he found women cricketers “more receptive to ad vice than men: you tel) them something, and they work hard to do it.” The 18 players are practising about five hours every day this week, under the supervision of Horton, and the New Zealand selectors from the North Island, Mesdames I. and J. Lamason. The Christchurch national selector. Miss P. Blackler, has also been present.

Mrs J. Lamason said the Hallyburton - Johnstone Shield tournament would last from December 27 to January 6, and the selector hoped they could keep the present squad—or something similar to it—together for at least two days afterwards. They hoped for a continuity of coaching with Horton, but if he was unavailable because of Plunket Shield commitments, possibly B. Sutcliffe, who assisted at the March school, would be able to take his place. They also hoped Horton would be able to join the test team for the games against the England side in February and March. Mrs I. Lamason said that the girls at the present school were being billeted by the local association but had all paid their full fares to Christchurch. The photograph shows Mrs I, Lamason taking fielding practice with members of the squad.