Strong Hawke Cup Challenge

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31865, 18 December 1968, Page 21

Strong Hawke Cup Challenge

The Ashburton cricket team to challenge Hawke’s Bay for the Hawke Cup, beginning on Boxing Day, should travel to Napier feeling reasonably confident of winning the trophy, the symbol of supremacy between minor associations.

Controversy has surrounded the match because the dates clash with a Central Districts Plunket Shield fix[ture and five of the leading Hawke’s Bay players will I therefore miss the Hawke [ iCup challenge. The twelve players named [for the match by the Ashbur[ton selector. Mr P. Zouch, are: G. Laine (captain), K. Butler, B. V. Sampson, B. White, O. D. Bruce, C. Tew,

R. O'Reilly, D. Isherwood. L. Newbegin, B. Tutty, R. Hortin and R. Jenkins. The team is very experienced, most of the players having represented Ashburton for many years. The batting is extremely strong and the final eleven will probably include only two players who are not capable of scoring many run in this type of fixture.

Lane and Jenkins are likely openers, although Isherwood could also fill the position in the second innings if quick runs are required. All three have been scoring consistently this season and much will depend on them to give the side a good start. The main batting hope is Sampson, who has ’>een a prolific run-getter this season. It is Ashburton’s good fortune that he was not needed by the Canterbury Plunket Shield selectors. In his last three innings Sampson has scored

414 runs without being dismissed—2o4, 160 and, last Sunday against the Plunket Shield team, 50. The bowling will be based on medium-pace and five bowlers of this type have been selected in the twelve. Three can be classed as allrounders and the other two, Butler and O'Reilly will share the new ball. It is not a dangerous attack but all the bowlers can move the ball in the air and the Hawke’s Bay batsmen will have to fight for their runs. It seems likely that either White or Newbegin will be named as twelfth man. Both spinners, Bruce and Tew, are inexperienced at a representative level. However it is necessary to have two spinners in a Hawke Cup challenge to balance the bowling in case the opposition is not prepared to attempt to score runs from the mediumpacers.

Tew has a lot to learn about the art of leg-spinning but he has the ability to turn the ball and take a vital wicket. The team has been training hard and has had morning practises beginning just after 5 a.m. With the depth of batting and the good team spirit that has developed, Mr Zouch has reason to feel confident. “The boys have all been working hard and I’m sure they will rise to the occasion,” he said. Ashburton last had a Hawke Cup challenge in 1963 against Nelson. Three new bowlers and two new batsmen have been brought into the Hawke's Bay team. The players are: L. Jones, L. Hepburn, D. Selby, I. Woon, A. Roberts, R. Small (captain), B. Furlong (vice - captain), P. O’Shaughnessy, D. Dine, J. Smith and H. Richardson. D. Caldwell is twelfth man.