Dismal record

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 30

Dismal record

Historically, the New Zealand under-23 cricket team’s chances of defeating Wellington next week in the opening first class match of the 1979-80 season are slim indeed. Since the first national under-23 team was selected in 1961-62, 11 first class matches have been played between the side and, on all but one occasion, the association that has hosted the annual Rothmans-sponsored under-23 tournament. But the national team has never won a match, and has in fact been soundly beaten in eight of the nine games. Two, against Auckland in 196364 and Otago two seasons ago, have been drawn. The national under-23 team will be picked at the end of this year’s Rothmans tournament, and the youngsters might perhaps take heart from the result of the only other match between the side and the province, in 1965-66. On that occasion, Wellington won the match by one wicket, the closest margin in any of the 11 fixtures. The biggest drubbing was handed out by

Canterbury in 1964-65, when the under-23 team lost by an innings and 158 runs. Brian Hastings scored 226 for Canterbury, helping the side to . the highest total, 396, scored against the New Zealand team. Canterbury skittled the under-23 batsmen in their second innings for 81, the lowest total by the side. Tile only international fixture played by the under-2.3’s was against Australia B in Napier in 1969-70. Dennis Lillee claimed six under-23 wickets for 40 runs to help the Australians secure a comfortable outright win. Over the seasons, 97 players have represented the under-23 team, 56 < f whom made their first class debut in the side. For 14 of these 56. it was to be their only first class match. For 10 others, however, it was a taste of things to come for they went on to become test cricketers. These nlavers included Hedlev Howarth. Rodney Redmond. Bruce Tavior, Mark Burgess. Davie Hadlee, Geoff Howarth. Jeremy Coney, Warren Lees.