SAME 12 CHOSEN

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32788, 13 December 1971, Page 28

SAME 12 CHOSEN

The 12 players chosen for Canterbury’s knock-out match yesterday have been selected for the first Plunket Shield fixture of the new series, also against Otago. The team is: G. T. Dowling (captain), M. L. Ryan, B. G. Hadlee, J. W. Burtt, B. F. Hastings, A R. Hounsell, D. G. Trist, C. M. Kirk, B. P. Isherwood, D. W. Stead, D. R. Hadlee. C. K. Baker. Only Baker has yet to appear in first-class cricket. The Canterbury players no doubt won considerable satisfaction from their victory yesterday, but the team’s performance was far from flawless. Of the bowlers, only Hounsell was impressive. He alone had some bite and devil about his bowling.

Canterbury’s bowlers will have to find and retain much tighter lines than they had yesterday, and while there was some good fielding, the catching was deplorable. It is unlikely that it will be as bad as that again, but fielding has inevitably become one of the anxieties about this team. However, Canterbury will field an experienced team with considerable batting potential, and a set of bowlers who will have to be at their very best to contain opposing teams. The practices in the next two weeks have assumed particular importance. V. Pollard, R. J. Hadlee, and K. Ferries have been asked to attend practice with the team.