Team talk before practice for West Indies team

Press, 20 February 1980, Page 42

Team talk before practice for West Indies team

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

The West Indies cricket team, after arriving in Christchurch yesterday, had its first net practice of the tour (scheduled for the afternoon) but there was a team talk at the hotel and it may well be that the discussion will be of more benefit than the net practice.

The talk was almost certainly based on the touring players’ attitudes. The West Indies batsmen have been upset by -the pitches on which they have played, pitches which must be only distant relations of those on their own home grounds. They have not been good, even by the standards of a country often criticised for its slow strips. There has b' 3n a marked reluctance, however, by the batsmen in the team to face the realities of their present cricket conditii . A notable exception is Desmond Haynes, a comparative newcomer, who grafted conscientiously through two long innings in the Dunedin itest and again at Wellington. This team is top of the cricket world, it has many talented batsmen, and it has not been doing itself justice. It will almost certainly go nto the second test oh Fri-

day with the resolve to uphold the pride of a great cricketing nation. If the batsmen have sub-mitted,-too often, the bowlers- have bee- at fault too. There have been valid criticisms of the pitches on which the tourists have played, but it is reasonable to suggest that if they have helped Richard Hadlee and Ewen Chatfield, the West Indies top test bowlers should have had spectacular figures too. Present 5 indications are that the pitch will be the best on which the West Indies have played in this country. There was a thought th-at it might be as green and-fresh as the ’ one on ■ which’ New Zealand beat Australia-six-years ago — a remarkable pitch, for its consistent bounce and dura-

bility. In that match, the spinners were extras, seldom on stage. That situation will probably not apply in this game, although there . is certain to be something in the pitch on the first morning. There is no move by the New Zealand selectors to strengthen the seam attack. That would involve Chatfield who is having another remarkable season. Chatfield’s is a strange case. In his ’ five' home matches a<t the Hutt Valley Recreation ground and Maidstone Park, he has taken 37 wickets at the ludicrously low cost of 6.7 runs each. But in his three away games, his figures were very useful too — 12 wickets at 23.4. It can be argued that Chatfield has a wretched test record, eight- wickets at more than 60 runs each, but he has made only four test appearances, spread over

■ four seasons. ; The West Indies team will practise at Lancaster Park ■ this morning and in the ■ evening will attend, with the . New Zealand players, a ■ cocktail party organised by i the Canterbury Cricket Supi porters’ Club. It will be at > Ham at 6 p.m., arid is an i : official function on the West [ Indies itinerary. It is unfortunate that the ; West Indies have not made ■ the outstandingly good impression left behind by prei vious teams from the isi lands. ; There is no glossing over ; the acts of childish petui lance on t'.e field, but peri haps a little too much is ! now expected,’' off -..the field, • of a touring team’Lof the t 1980 s. . ; ' > If times have changed, it - is probably not for the bet-

ter. However a team of professionals these days does not expect, or wane to be on parade very often; a touring theatrical company might not be happy to be entertained by the local repertory in every centre. On stage, however, the best professional conduct is expected, and perhaps the second test will be played in a better spirit than the first. That may be but a pious hope. For one 'of the umpires, Mr Fred Goodall of Christchurch, the match is of especial significance. It will be his fiftieth first-class match as an umpire and so he will equal the New Zealand record set by Mr Trevor Martin, of Wellington. The New Zealand team will assemble this morning, and will probably practise in the afternoon.