History book stacked against Canterbury

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 18

History book stacked against Canterbury

(By

R. T. BRITTENDEN)

Canterbury will have to close cricket’s history book if its Shell series team is to go to Wellington today in an optimistic frame of mind.

Since the Second World War. the matches between the provinces have followed a distinct pattern. At Lancaster Park. Canterbury has won 10 times, Wellington on four occasions, with two matches drawn. At the Basin Reserve, it has been a very different story Wellington has won nine times, Canterbury only once, with four games left drawn. Canterbury’s last victory at the Basin Reserve was 25 years ago: the presence of Tom Burtt, John Hayes. Ray Emery, Zin Harris, Tony Mac Gibbon and Matt Poore recalls the strength of that side — but also its vintage. GOOD MATERIAL

It is a very long time to go without an away win. But for tomorrow’s match, Canterbury has the material to improve the record. Both sides have batsmen who have scored heavily in the series. On recent evidence. Canterbury should have the better attack. It will need only a lift in the catching standards to complement the bowling. Peter Coman (318), Barry Hadlee (332) and MurrayParker (181) all have averages high in the 40’s. Brian Hastings has made two big scores and is due for another. Bevan Congdon, struggling a little at present, has the sagacity and determination to fight his way back to top form. BATSMEN IMPRESSIVE Canterbury- also has a much more impressive-look-ing later list of batsmen

than Wellington, but at the top of the order Wellington has been well served by Graham Newdick (316 at 52.7) Robert Smith (201 at 33.5), Jeremy Coney (372 at 62), Grahame Biiby (322 at 53.7) and the English professional Mike Harris (175 at 35). Wellington’s bowlers have had a thin time. Ewen Chatfield has taken only nine wickets at almost 40 each, Michael Coles seven at 36, John Ross six at almost 50, Bruce Smith five at 32. Canterbury’s Dayle Hadlee has taken 18 at 16.7, Richard Hadlee 11 at 22.6, David Stead 11 at 19, Doug Bracewell three at 19.7 and Alan Hounsell four at 31.5. PITCHES VARY These bowling figures have, of course, beenachieved on pitches of vary-! ing characteristics; Dayle Hadlee had one to help him, particularly, against Northern Districts. Canterbury, however, does seem to have the stronger bowling hand, particularly if Richard Hadlee can regain some of the verve he displayed for a few weeks in club cricket, when he bowled with spectacular pace and hostility. He seems to have lost that edge. But so has Chatfield, his main rival for a third pace bowling place in the test team. Their performances at Wellington will be of particular interest to the New Zealand selectors. Must win Canterbury has to win this match to be certain of becoming the first holder of the Shell Cup — and a victory would go a long way to assuring the team of a place in the grand final for the Shell Trophv. after the sec-

ond round is completed. The match is the fifth, for) both sides, in a short period, and it may be hard for the

i bowlers, in particular, to keep at a peak. But it should | be a close, and most interestl ing encounter.