Manager warns of W.S.C. threat

Press, 20 February 1979, Page 34

Manager warns of W.S.C. threat

NZPA-Reuter London Mr Doug Insole, manager of England’s triumphant cricket team in Australia, arrived home yesterday With a warning to the traditional game about the impact of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.

"Packer represents a real threat to Australian cricket and the game in general,” said Mr Insole. ‘‘There is too much cricket in Australia and their fans do not like supporting a losing side.” He did not think that England’s players would boycott the World Cup in England later this year when Pakistan and the West Indies are expected to include their Packer stars.

Much depends on a crucial meeting of the Professional Cricketers’ Association in April. Motions that remain pending after last year’s meeting include threats not to play against W.S.C. contracted players.

“I don’t know what the players will do but I expect them to play,” Mr Insole said.

lan Botham, England’s star all-rounder, hinted that there would be no disruption of the World Cup when he said he expected England to win it. Botham, who took 23 wickets in England’s 5-1 test series triumph over the Australians said that in spite of the margin, it had not been easy. “Australia have some good

players and, with Rodney Hogg such a fine bowler, they will develop into a) good side given time and ex-! perience,’’ Botham said. Mr Insole said that after; having a close-up view of j 'W.S.C. in Australia he did] (not see any narrowing of the gulf between traditional cricket and Packer. But he added one note of optimism. i “When the TV contract runs out later this year I suppose Packer will be in the bidding again, so that might bring the two sides closer together.” Packer formed W.S.C. in 1977 as a rival to the established game after he had failed to win exclusive television rights in Australia to relay test matches.