Congdon’s test captaincy criticised by former team-mate

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33435, 17 January 1974, Page 26

Congdon’s test captaincy criticised by former team-mate

<.VZ. Frew Association' , TIMARU. The suitability of B. E. Congdon as New Zealand’s cricket captain was questioned yesterday by the Wellington : Piunket Shield captain. I and former test allrounder, B. R. Taylor. He said that Congdon had established himself in previous seasons as the best No. 3 batsman in the country. In spite of this, [ he had moved to No. 5 in the batting order. Taylor feels that this decision has placed far too: much responsibility on the younger and less ex-i perienced players in the! test side. “1 can see no reason why Congdon has moved down in the order. I think it must be be- ■ cause he has lost all con-! fidence in himself as a batsman,” Taylor said.

The former South Canterbury cricketer said he was not alone in his criticism of Congdon, who has held the position of captain since midway through the West Indies tour. Several other top-class players were dissatisfied with Congdon’s leadership in recent matches, and this might have had something to do with the defection of M. G. Burgess, H. J. Howarth and R. O. Collinge from the New Zealand side before it left for Australia, Taylor said. “Bevan is fine off the field, but on it he is overcautious and lacks a positive approach to the game. He is never prepared to take the risk of losing a match when there is a possibility of winning,” he added. Taylor predicted that G. M. Turner would be New Zealand’s next test cap-

tain. “He has all the right qualities, and is the obvious choice at this stage.” Taylor, who has led Wellington to two consecutive Piunket Shield victories, reaffirmed that he was finished with international cricket. [For some time he has been troubled by g back injury which has affected all aspects of his play, [ and he is at present awaiting a specialist’s report which will determine his future in the game. ,“I would like to play for Wellington again, but if the report is unfavourable it will mean the end of my playing days,” he said.