Central’s pace attack

Press, 8 January 1980, Page 22

Central’s pace attack

PA Napier Central Districts are likely to introduce two new fast bowlers to their attack for their Shell series. cricket match against Canterbury at Napier’s McLean Park today.

The Central selectors have brought the Hawkes Bay medium pacer, Murray Jamieson, and Taranaki’s Gary Robertson, into the squad for the match following the injuries to their regular openers, Brendon Bracewell (Hawke’s Bay) and Alastair Jordan (Taranaki). Both Bracewell and Jordan have had to pull out of the Canterbury match because of the recurrence of back injuries.

Jamieson, a tall, - rangy, medium fast bowler, gets his chance after wreaking havoc in the Canterbury B match against Central Districts B in Hawera last. week.

He took eight for 29 as Canterbury B collapsed for 64 in its first innings and collected another three wickets for 57 in Canterbury B’s second innings. Although Jamieson has been one of the most successful Central Districts B bowlers over the last three seasons he has only been included, in the A squad once before — he was twelfth man for the side’s match against the touring M.C.C. team last season.

Robertson, who has opened the Taranaki attack with Jordan for the last two years, has already had an outstanding season and has been included in both the New Zealand Brabin (under--20) and Rothmans (under-23) teams.

He is the quicker of the two and if Central goes into the match with only, two fast bowlers he is likely to partner Denis Aberhart.

After the flush of success against Otago in Palmerston North at the week-end, Centra 1 ’ s captain, David O’Sullivan, is looking towards another match winning performance from his team against Canterbury.

Central Districts have not won a Shell series game at Napier for more than 10 years and O’Sillivan is particularly anxious to secure it. Canterbury has not fared well against Central Districts in their last two matches.

Last Season, at Nelson, central Districts beat Canterbury and the win was Central Districts’ first in 35 consecutive games over a five-year period.

When the two teams last met in Napier, Canterbury was lucky to hold out for a draw when it was seven down for, 138 chasing a second innings target of 248.