Old Boys retain nucleus of their championship-winning squad

Press, 2 October 1979, Page 10

Old Boys retain nucleus of their championship-winning squad

High School Old Boys have good reason to be confident of repeating

their success of last summer when the Christchurch first grade interclub cricket championship begins on October 13. Cran Bull, who has retained the captaincy of a side which came from well back to gain possession of “The Press” pennant earlier this year, said yesterday that there would be few changes in the Old Boys squad. In the normal course of events, the decision of Richard Hadlee to accept a coaching contract in Tasmania would be considered a crippling blow to his club. But because of his other commitments Hadlee bowled in only five innings for Old Bovs a

season ago, and he was absent, when his teammates made their dramatic march to the top of the table.

One of the major factors in the Old Boys resurgence was the bowling of Dayle Hadlee, restricted largely to off-spinners to ease the strain on his injured back. In recent weeks there have been encouraging signs that the former international will be able to return to his longer run-up this season, keeping his spin in reserve for when conditions

favour the turning ball. The other regular me-dium-pacers will probably be Gary Saunders and

Geoff Allen. Barry Hadlee, lan Morrison, John Calder, Bull, Peter Rattray and John Bierwirth are among the top-order batting candidates, and Bryan Ritchie is the logical choice as a wicket-keeper. Old Boys are likely to grow in strength ' and depth as the competition advances, provided, as Bull says, not too many players are called to representative duties. Chris Marks, David Bull and Ricky Page are to return from studies in Dunedin m

November, Ritchie’s young brother, Mark, should develop with further experience as a mediumpaced bowler, and there is the prospect, after Christmas, of new members from Christchurch Boys’ High School. On the debit side, Martin Hadlee will, at best, be a late starter, and Tim Evison, who was second to Rod Fulton (Old Collegians) in the 1978-79 batting averages, ig doubtful because of a proposed overseas trip.

One of the sternest challenges to Old Boys is certain to be extended by Burnside-West Christ-church-University, which has sufficient young talent emerging to ’make it a force for some years to come.

Burnside-West might, however, be without the experience of Peter Sharp, who is just one wicket short of 550 in his first grade career, and David Trist. The Williams brothers, Kevin and Michael, have yet to confirm their availability, and Bryce Nicholson has transferred to a suburban club.

Mike Fisher has not yet returned to Christchurch, and there is a strong chance that Gerald Cummins will be moving to Dunedin in the New Year. But Burnside-West has considerable and varying skills to call upon — batting solidity from Brian

Hastings. John Mitchell, Barry' Thomas, and Peter Wallace; a bowling battery which will include Steve Bateman, Chris Kirk and Tony Farrant; the potential of Justin and David Boyle. John Preece, Darrvl King (from St Albans) and David Farrant. And if the captain and wicket-keeper, Kevin Collins, is .required by Canterbury, his secondgrade under-study. Paul Winter, would be'a more than adequate substitute behind the stumps. Seeking their first championship triumph, Old Collegians should be boosted by the knowledge that they rapidly rose from last to third last summer. The captain. Dave Selhv has

an impressive list of bowlers — Lindsay Forde, James Paterson, 'Paul McEwan, Vaughan Brown. Tony Gray. Richard Leggat — at his disposal. But unless Fulton shakes off his nagging shoulder injury, Old Collegians could be even more susceptible to inconsistent efforts with the bat. Murray Polson has gone overseas for two years, and the responsibility for scoring runs is largely left to McEwan, John Phillips, Robbie Deans, Brown. Selby' and Roger Fuller. The wicket-keeping task is retained by Graeme Gordon, who achieved most dismissals in 1978-79,

Lancaster Park, fourth last time, should continue to be a prolific scorer, in spite of the retirement of Maurice Ryan. Dave Dempsey, the captainelect, and Tony Collins, Michael and Mark Johnston, and the wicketkeeper, Graham Kench, will trouble opposing sides, it is of note, too, that Bevan Congdon has been to the indoor nets, and he would be warmly welcomed if he returns to action.

Another whose presence would be most satisfying

to Dempsey' is the young Leeston pace bowler,'Mark Chamberlain, for there is an obvious vacancy for one qualified to add thrust to the attack. He would be given enthusiastic support by Wayne Wilson and Trevor Luke, Grant Craighead having left for Australia.

There is no sign that the long career of the offspinner, Bruce Irving, is nearing its end — and on figures returned there is no reason why it should — and Andrew Nuttall is an ideal foil from the other end. The batsman, Murray Smith, is not expected to play' because of his soccer commitments.

Riccarton, which will be attempting to improve on its fifth ranking, has just one significant Joss — John Ruston is now living in Brisbane — and no notable gains from outside the club.

David Stead is experiencing no lasting ill-effects from an operation on the spinning finger of his right hand, and Tim Murdoch and Gary Straw should have benefited from a northern summer in the Middlesex league. The leadership stays with Lindsay Thorn, and Peter Stubbings, Geoff Miller, Glen Bateman, Steve McNally, Bernie Rule Mike Hamel, John Mackie,’ Barry Lindsay, Mike Kirkland, Wayne Spanjer, and Ross Calder have been training. A major problem for St Albans will be maintaining the promising starts it has made in recent years, and the promotion of the very' experienced Ken Ferries to the captaincy might have the desired results. His predecessor, Henry Sampson, will be missing, as will Chris Heslop (back in country cricket), Ross McNally' (cartilage injury), King (with BurnsideWest), Paul Johnston (in Cheviot) and Colin Attridge (Rotorua). Mark Burtt, free of hockey commitments, Peter Joyce, who might be in his last season before furthering his medical career in England, George Nicoll, Geoff Smith, Graham and Rod Moore, Neil Francis, John Thompson, Miles Stapylton-Smith, Les Watson, Donald Ambrose, Graham Hulston, David Barlow, and Les Smith will be vying for positions.

The major addition to the St Albans squad, of course, is the English professional all-rounder, Trevor Jesty, and Joe Harrison is expected home from Papua New Guinea

in December. Other newcomers include Chris Waugh from Dunedin, Steve Parr, a former Auckland Brabin Cup representative, and the Suburban all-rounder, Dave McNaughtan. Sydenham is to lose a medium-pacer, Peter Visser, on transfer after two matches, and Richie Thomas has retired. But Warren Bell is back from overseas, and the new recruits include Trevor Patterson, an opening batsman from Dunedin, a Wellington Rothmans wic-ket-keeper, Alan MacLean, and Mike Dolden, formerly of BurnsideWest.

It w'ill be no easy assignment deciding between Mac Lean, the efficient Greg Curtain and the encumbent. Ashley Hart, as wicket-keeper. But all are more than useful batsmen, assets which support their claims. Ewen Spence, with the background of a fine sea-

son in second grade, wi join with George Ca noutsos. Bill Thomson - who had the top aggregat a season ago — John La ter, Kevin Congdon. Gre Brown, Nicky Diercl Peter Lublow. lan Wilsot Derek Burrell and Kevi Congdon as a contende for the Sydenham first XI After several disma seasons. East Christ church-Shirley will b ■hoping for more pleasin; returns from its policy o developing youth. But i will be without Pete Coman, and possibly Garrj Hooper. Alan Albertsoi and Peter Grigg are pos sible replacements for thi wicket-keeper, John Field ing, who has transferrec from Christchurch. A valuable acquisitior has been Colin Hight, ; medium-paced bowler anc forceful batsman from El lesmere. the seasoned Car Dickel and Graham Pullej have signified their availability, and the progress ol

Thiele and Steve Booth and the opening batsmen Ray Jones and Albertson will be watched with interest.