K.O. for Parker, Hadlee?

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 28

K.O. for Parker, Hadlee?

By

RAY CAIRNS

The Canterbury cricket team to contest the Motor Corporation knock-out series will almost certainly be announced this week-end, and it seems likely to differ quite dramatically from the Shell series side. The convenor of selectors, Mr I. B. Cromb, would say little of the team last evening but said he was “not aware of the team yet, but the other selectors told me some names yesterday.’’ Mr Cromb would not elaborate — and the team w r as not in the hands of the Canterbury Cricket Association chairman, Mr D. J. Elder, yesterday —- but

strong rumours of the composition of the side were circulating around Christchurch.

The most persistent of these were that two regular batsmen, Murray Parker — a test player only three! months ago — and Barry Hadlee would be dropped, along with Henry Sampson. Equally persistently, there were rumours that the Lamcaster Park player, Tony Collins, would open the batting; that Kevin Collins would keep wickets — although Maurice Ryan would remain captain — and that John Calder would come into the side.

There also seem to be problems with the opening

bowlers. The availability of the brothers, Richard and Dayle Hadlee, is not yet certain, and the other names being bandied around are those of Lindsay Forde — who played with scant success for Canterbury this season — Bob Impey, who has had unbroken success since the New Year, and Steve Bateman.

But perhaps the strongest rumour of all is that all is not well within the threeman selecticm panel — the others are Messrs P. A. Sharp and G. W. Frampton — and Mr Cromb’s brief comment indicated as much. But he refused to be drawn any further. 7