BIG INTEREST IN WEBB’S BOWLING Shield-Holder’s Game Against Australians

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32232, 26 February 1970, Page 13

BIG INTEREST IN WEBB’S BOWLING Shield-Holder’s Game Against Australians

(By

R. T. BRITTENDEN)

Although Otago, as this season’s winner of the Plunket Shield, may be expected to give a good account of itself in its match with Australia, which begins at Carisbrook today, there will probably be even more interest in the showing made by its young fast bowler, M. G. Webb.

After only four Plunket Shield matches. Webb is a strong candidate for the New Zealand team to play the Australians at Auckland next week.

He had outstanding success in his shield matches, taking 25 wickets at only 14 runs each. He is said to be really fast, and to bowl with great accuracy.

Webb will be bowling to batsmen of rather greater talents than some of those he dismissed in Plunket Shield games, but if he comes through this trial satisfactorily, he must have an excellent chance of winning a New Zealand cap. It should be an entertaining game, for the Australians have already shown that they bring a distinct air of enterprise into their cricket. Otago has batsmen who also play shots, notably L. R. Pearson and P. C. Semple. The side has the talented

Alabaster brothers, and their spin bowling, too. The Otago team is long in batting, L. Holland, who had a successful shield season; going in as late as No. 8. The team is: G. M. Turner! Pearson, B. Freeman, R. Wi Hutchison, K. O. Campbell,: Semple, G. D. Alabaster, Hol:

land, J. C. Alabaster, Webb and B. D. Milburn. From the Australian team. A. Thomson and T Jenner have been omitted and A Steele is twelfth man. This means that A. Turner, D. Lillee and G. R. Davies will be playing their first tour games. The Australian team Is S. Trimble (captain), D. Chadwick, G, Chappell, Davies, J. Inveracity, Lillee, J. MacLean, K. O’Keefe, D. Renneberg, Turner, and G. Watson. The pitch is fairly grassy and is not expected to lack pace. It should provide an even bounce. ■The forecast is for mild, overcast weather, but showers late in the day are a possibility. Cricket Win A team representing the Canterbury Cricket Support ere’ Club beat the St Andrew’s College first XI on the first innings in a match played al the college yesterday. The supporters’ club was set 100 minutes to score 180 runs and it achieved the tar get with five wickets in hand Scores: St Andrew's 179/8 dec. (Wilson 70. Johnstone 31, McEwan 29: J. G. Gunn 3/7). supporters' club 183/5 (J. W. Grocott 71. I. Chamberlain 35. W. McQueen 30, J. G. Gunn 26».