TEST CRICKET SELECTION Reputation Alone Not Sufficient

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31841, 20 November 1968, Page 19

TEST CRICKET SELECTION Reputation Alone Not Sufficient

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. Reputations, experience, past performance will not carry players into this year’s New Zealand cricket teams for tests at home or on tour overseas.

The chairman of the national selection panel (Mr M. E. Chapple) made this clear yesterday in setting out the selectors’ requirements for the summer.

There have been cases from time to time of players taking the field for New Zealand while unfit for the stresses and strains of four or five days of test cricket, but Mr Chapple, speaking for the three selectors, is emphatic that this will not happen this year. “We say. quite emphati cally that players who are nol completely fit, whose stamina is suspect, or who cannol carry out their captain's instructions, will not be considered for further matches,” he said. “This will apply to all players, irrespective of past performances.” Sunday Games Expressing a personal view in response to a question, Mr Chapple also clarified the position of players who declined to play cricket on Sundays. “The chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council has said that it would be putting things out of plumb to consider a situation which would affect, probably, only two

games on tour,” said Mr Chapple. i “In the light of that I do i inot feel we need concern ! ourselves with the matter at this stage. Players will be (selected on merit alone.” I Mr Chapple said the selectors felt this season was of j ; vital importance to New Zea-1 land cricket. The game would! 'be stimulated by the tour] ihere of the strong West In-1 | dies team and by the New Zealand tour of England, India and Pakistan. “Strongest Side” i ® “It is our intention to select' (the strongest team for all( (the home test matches,” he] (said. ; ! “The only factor which would render this policy impracticable would be the unavailability of certain key players for the overseas tour. (At this stage of the season (we are not aware of more ; than one player who is unable (to travel.” The panel would continue | the policy of having at least (one selector present for part (of each first-class match (played in New Zealand. How'(ever, the programme the selectors had set for themselves was flexible and allowed for changes to meet emergent: i needs.

I Expressing pleasure at the decision to hold a North Island-South Island match, Mr Chapple said: “We intend to make this game as competi-

tive as possib’e but the North and South matches against the West Indies should allow us some latitude for experimentation. “This season will be demanding for administrators, selectors and players. We (hope to play our part by selecting players who are fully (fit, enthusiastic, and who have a positive and responsible attitude to the game.”