‘Winning N.Z. team only’

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 38

‘Winning N.Z. team only’

NZPA London Some of the New Zealand world cup cricketers could be going home at the end of this month without playing in the competition. The New Zealand side for the match against India tomorrow (N.Z. time) will not be chosen until shortly before the start of play, but the manager, Graham Dowling, said yesterday it would not be chosen with a view to giving everyone a game. _ The batsmen, John Morrison and Bruce Edgar, and

the opening bowler, Ewen Chatfield, missed the first cup game against Sri Lanka on Saturday, although Morrison would have been chosen but for his injured shoulder. “We will pick the sides we think capable of winning,” Mr Dowling said. “That may mean some of the party will not play at all but all members of the side were conscious that could happen before they left New Zealand.” Morrison, if he is fit, is

almost certain to find his way back on to the team but Edgar and Chatfield could miss out.

Edgar, the sharp lefthander who showed such promise in England last year, has not been in form in practice matches and his inability to score runs then could have cost him his place in the first XL Chatfield too had been struggling to find form and in his four practice games, he took only one wicket for a total of 102 runs.

Morrison came through a strenuous practice session at Trent Bridge yesterday and seems certain to step into the side in place of Geoff Howarth. Howarth is likely to miss the Indian game because of his damaged hamstring. . Edgar would get back in only if both Morrison and Howarth are ruled unfit. The New Zealanders had one of their stiffest practice sessions of their tour yesterday, playing at the Trent Bridge nets for about three hours.