Cricket selection hard

Press, 5 November 1977, Page 56

Cricket selection hard

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

The most interesting aspect of the selection of the Town team to play Minor Associations in a two-day Shell Series trial at Hagley Oval today is the inclusion of both Maurice Ryan and Kevin Collins.

Last season Ryan was Canterbury’s captain and wi-cket-keeper. Collins is regarded as the best of the young wicket-keepers in Christchurch at present, although Graham Kench is expected to develop into a topclass performer. That Collins is to keep wicket hints at another of the dramatic about-faces which have marked the conduct of Canterbury cricket in the last few years. Have the

selectors a wish to drop Ryan? To be sure, he is the captain of the Town team today. But if he is not to keep wicket for Canterbury, he will have to take his chance with a host of others competing for batting places. Already Canterbury has on call such seasoned and successful campaigners as Barry Hadlee, Peter Coman, Bevan Congdon, and Rod Fulton.

If Collins is the representative keeper, and the usual formula of three seam bowlers and a spinner, with the all-rounders Congdon and David Stead to support the attack is followed, only four batting places remain to be

filled. Although Hadlee and Coman have in the last couple of seasons been most successful opening pair in many years, and although Ryan and Fulton have established reputations, there is likely to be a desire to include some of those young players on the fringe of representative selection — most of them vigorous attacking players. In this group are John Calder, Henry Sampson, Tony Collins, David Dempsey, Geoff Smith, and Paul McEwan.

Ryan has started the season well, but if he is not to be the wicket-keeper and captain, his position is in jeopardy. It would be a

strange situation if he was axed. He was the side’s most successul batsman last season, and his leadership won warm praise from his fellow players. Collins may have an edge over him in wicket-keeping, and, as the choice of the best keeper is usually a basic rule of selection, he deserves a chance. But Ryan’s keeping is adequate, and it will be a bold selection panel which is willing to drop him.

If selection is a complex business this season, it is a healthy situation. Rarely have Canterbury’s established and competent players been challenged by so many with flair and promise.