BATTING AND BOWLING PROBLEMS Shield Team Choice Full Of Uncertainties

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31856, 7 December 1968, Page 15

BATTING AND BOWLING PROBLEMS Shield Team Choice Full Of Uncertainties

(By

R. T. BRITTENDEN)

Seldom in recent seasons has the selection of a Canterbury Plunket Shield team been so clouded with doubt as it is this year. Lack of form among some players who would normally have acquired places as of right and concern at the fitness of R. C. Motz make the composition of the team to play Otago at Christmas a matter of conjecture.

Four players are assured of selection—G. T. Dowling, J. T. Ward, K. Thomson and J. Mclntyre. Four others—J. W. Burtt, B. F. Hastings, J. D. Riley and B. R. Taylor—have very good claims. But the final batting and the last bowling places are wide open.

R. C. Motz would be a first selection if there were no doubts about his fitness: and he might be included purely as a batsman.

With his well-remembered I punitive powers, he has shown this season, more titan before, that he ean produce innings of orthodox qualities and values. The principal problem is the choice of Dowling’s opening partner, and onlj when this is resolved will the last batting position, or perhaps two positions, be resolved. Four In Line Two of the candidates Riley and P. G. Coman could bat with effect lower in the order; the other possibilities are the present incumbent, C. L. Bull, and the wicket-keeper, Ward. Should Ward be required to open, there would be an extra batting position available: if he is not the considerable group challenging for places at number six would be reduced by one. The use of Ward as an opener has been put forward before, but it has been advanced with particular force this season because Ward has been batting so well. He has the virtue of playing straight, and he has shown that he has lost the suggestion of timidity which sometimes marked his batting in the past Keeper’s Burden There may be a temptation to play Ward as an opener, and to drop him down the order if he is not a success But it miaht be wisest to recognise the demands made on a wicket-keeper, who is thoroughly in the game with every ball bowled while he is on the field, to appreciate that asking him to open, perhaps after a day behind the stumps, would be an undue burden, and to put. him ahead in the order of one or two he used to follow. If Ward is not to open, the alternati"es are the rather out-of-form Bull, the aggressive but vulnerable Coman. or the impressive newcomer, Riley. Bull would have to be taken on trust for his batting has not been impressive, and the position might well go

to Riley, one of the most promising prospects of recent years. He usually looks safe, but has an attacking bent which could be of much value.

Classic Century Burtt has not made all the (runs expected of him this season, but one has only to remember his classic century against Wellington last season, and his eagerness in the field, to have him in the side. Burtt, with examinations behind him, and the prospect of a tour ahead, should be a very good bet. Hastings would be an automatic choice in most seasons, but last Saturday was the first on which he scored substantially. However, his class is too clear for such trifles as averages to carry undue weight. Thomson is very much the form player, but the sixth batting place has several candidates.

B. G. Hadlee, Coman, R. W. Anderson, C. J. Stevens and —if Ward opens— Riley are the principal prospects. Should Ward go in with Dowling, Riley should have the number six position. Several Choices

But if he does not, the selectors will have to assess the merits of Hadlee’s good record this season and his

ability as a driving, attacking batsman against those of; Coman. who also hits hard and is, like Hadlee, a fine fieldsman; Stevens, not so good in the field, but a batsman of vigorous methods; and Anderson, a well-merited selection last season, who has done little this summer, although there must be merit in the theory of showing faith in a young player, and taking into account the experience he has won.

Notwithstanding his reputation for being easily contained when forced on to the back foot, Hadlee would probably be the best choice, but Coman would win the place if there is to be a search for new blood. Hadlee is an experienced player who, if not a brilliant success, has a good record for Canterbury. Huxford Reliable Taylor should have staked a firm claim to a place, but has not been bowling at his best. However, he could hardly be omitted, for the challenge of shield cricket and a forthcoming test series and tour should bring out the best in him. And how could one omit a player who, as likely as not, will add to his bowling with a match-winning innings? Mclntyre, in the absence of the off-spiner, B. C. Irving,

from the squad, seems to have a firm hold on Canterbury’s spin bowling position, and Motz is an automatic choice if fit The last bowling place is warmly contested, but it will probably go to N. A. Huxford, for guile and reliability and stamina. The others in line—R. C. Merrin, K. 1. Ferries, K. A. Nicholson, B. Sampson, D. G. Trist—make an interesting collection of talents. One of them would probably be called on should Motz not be able to play. Nicholson and Merrin have more appeal as truly attacking bowlers; Trist is the steadiest and most accurate of them; Sampson has the added value of being, in perhaps a lesser mould, a Motzlike batsman; Ferries has enough heart for several bowlers. The only other real possibility is the Linwood High School boy, B. Bhana, with his left-arm off-breaks. It would be a great gamble to put him in the side, and his inclusion—although he is a more than useful batsman—would upset what is regarded as the usual balance. The Canterbury team could well be: Dowling, Riley, Burtt, Hastings, Thomson, Hadlee, Taylor, Motz (Sampson if Motz is unfit), Mclntyre Ward, Huxford, with Anderson twelfth man.