CANTERBURY v. CENTRAL STARTS TODAY Aggressive start made to shield series

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32493, 31 December 1970, Page 22

CANTERBURY v. CENTRAL STARTS TODAY Aggressive start made to shield series

(By R. T. BRITTEN DEN)

Nothing could have heartened the cricket enthusiast more than events in the first two matches of the Plunket Shield series. A magnificent match at Dunedin between Canterbury and Otago provided a tense finish; a day later Central Districts snatched victory from Wellington by three runs, against enormous odds, to end another game full of aggressive batting.

Today, all six teams are engaged. Auckland begins its campaign against Northern Districts at Hamilton, Wellington is at Carisbrook, and Canterbury meets Central Districts at Lancaster Park.

Auckland has a strong side, and one which seems particularly suited to the demands of the brisker cricket which the new performance points system appears to have induced.

Already there have been a few complaints about the system. Telephone calls to “The Press” on the subject have been made on the basis that Canterbury does not deserve, on its performance at Dunedin, to be 12 points behind Central Districts. Change of attitude The merits of the scheme are not yet fully understood. Canterbury had every chance —75 minutes to dismiss two tail-enders—and it could hardly be regarded as unfair that Central has taken such a lead.

Moreover, a year ago there would have been a distinct possibility of a more decided “steady as she goes” attitude, one which would have prevented the build-up to such a fine finish. Auckland must have every

chance of beating Northern Districts outright and also picking up a substantial tally of performance points on the way.

Wellington and Otago should be more evenly matched. Wellington has considerable length in its batting, and some useful bowling —the young W. A. Greenstreet’s performance will be of especial interest, after his success against Central Districts.

But Wellington may find it difficult to dismiss G. M. Turner twice for 60, as Canterbury did. Otago’s batting is brittle, but nearly all its players can bat aggressively, and it should be an interesting match. Same 12 named Yesterday, Otago announced the same 12 players from which it will select its team to meet Wellington. The prospects are that Canterbury and Central Districts will have a particularly attractive game. Not only do both sides possess enterprising batsmen; there are high hopes that the pitch at Lancaster Park, which has been under a verbal cloud, will

have life and lift in it. It is carrying a healthy sole of grass, it is very firm, and there must be a very good prospect that it will give both batsmen and bowlers a chance to exploit their skills. Sampson impresses No one batsman will attract more attention than the young Taranaki player, H. Sampson, who scored 25 and 119 at the Basin Reserve in his first representative game. Sampson played grade cricket in Sydney last season and is clearly an outstanding prospect. B. E. Congdon was in form at Wellington, M. J. F. Shrimpton is a most accomplished player, K. J. Wadsworth is one of the most dashing of New Zealand batsmen, and there is batting well down with B. W. Yuile, L. Sparks, R. M. Gearry and B. D. Furlong. „ Central may include R. M. Schofield, its former wicketkeeper and a very useful batsman, in place of Gearry, or perhaps the Taranaki fast bowler, A. B. Jordan, whose chances of playing may be enhanced by the .state of the pitch. If Jordan is dropped, there is adequate new-ball bowling from J. H. Howell, a tremendous trier and a player with a rising reputation, from Sparks and Congdon.

Unsuccessful decade Canterbury has not beaten Central Districts outright for 10 years, and it has a formidable task today. But the form of the six batsmen at Dunedin was most encouraging. Ail of them made fine strokes and produced useful scores, or better. There was some doubt about the availability of T. W. Jarvis, who scored 161 for once out at Carisbrook. He was hit above the pad several times by M. G. Webb, and was limping badly at the end of the match.

There is every chance now that he will be fit, and Canterbury’s prospects will be enhanced if he is. Canterbury may field the same eleven which played at Dunedin. If there is a change, and A. R. Hounsell is included to strengthen the pace attack on a lively pitch, B. C. Irving would probably be left out, for although the Canterbury batsmen have all shown encouraging form, a further reduction of the list is most unlikely. There was a refreshing vitality about the first two Plunket Shield matches. And there is every evidence to suggest that today’s matches Will follow similar lively courses.

Certainly, cricket enthusiasts in Wellington were fully appreciative. In the three days, the Wellington Cricket Association took $3265 on the Basin Reserve gates, more than for many years at a single Plunket Shield match. There were crowds of more than 2000 each day.