Snow’s last chance to solve run-up problem

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 24

Snow’s last chance to solve run-up problem

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) BRISBANE. The M.C.C.’s match against Queensland, starting today, will provide the fast bowler, J. A. Snow, with a final opportunity to solve the problem of his run-up before the first test on November 27.

Snow has been noballed for over-stepping the batting crease in all three tour games he has played so far and. the failure to sort oiit his approach is causing the M.C.C. considerable concern.

The no-ball saga began in the opening first-class fixture against South Australia. The umpire (Mr R. Joseph) called him 15 times in five overs in this match, and as a result Snow was reduced from a penetrating fast bowler to very ordinary mediumpacer. If this happens again in the first test, England’s chances of winning, or even drawing, would be seriously affected. The England attack has already been weakened by file injury to A. Ward and cannot afford to have Snow bowl ing below his best. Mr L. Rowan, a police detective and one of the umpires for the first test, will also be officiating in the match starting tomorrow, and

is certain to keep a close eye on Snow’s front foot.

There are many who feel Snow has been unfairly treated by a harsh interpretation of the rules, and the M.C.C. skipper, R. Illingworth, said after the South Australia match that he thought Snow would not have been called by an English umpire. But the fact remains that Australian umpires are clearly dissatisfied with Snow’s front foot placement and he must make the necessary adjustment if he is going to overcome the problem.

The Brisbane pitch looks like being the fastest the M.C.C. has encountered in a first-class fixture on the tour.

The groundsman (Mr J. Hines) said yesterday that it was hard and should favour the pacemen. He added that it would hold together for most of the match and should be particularly lively in the early stages. Illingworth, after inspecting the pitch, said: “It is the best suited to our.attack we have had so far.”

The teams are.— Queensland (from): S. Trimble (captain), T. Graveney, I. Seib, R. Surti, R. Parker, M. Lucas, P. Carlson, K. Dudgeon, J. Maclean, R. Paulsen, R. Duncan, A Dell. M.C.C.: Illingworth (captain), G. Boycott, B. W. Luckhurst, J. H. Edrich, K. W. Fletcher, M. C. Cowdrey, B. L. D’Oliveira, A. P. Knott, Snow, D. L. Underwood, K. Shuttleworth.