McEwan in the running

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 34

McEwan in the running

Canterbury’s dashing right-hand batsman, Paul McEwan, has been included in the 12 New Zealand players chosen for the final cricket test against the West Indies at Eden Park tomorrow.

McEwan, who had a highly successful Shell Trophyseries for his province, was in the New Zealand team for the one-day game against the West Indies at Christchurch, and was the fielding substitute in the test which ended yesterday, but this is his first selection in a national team for a firstclass match.

To make way for him, Andy Roberts of Northern Districts has been dropped. He was chosen for the Christchurch match, ic appears, mainly to cover the possibility that the all-roun-der, Jeremy Coney, would not be -fit. McEwan may well be twelfth man again, but there are two entrances for him into the final eleven. He may possibly be preferred to Peter Webb, who has made only 12 runs in his three test innings. Webb has, however, suffered rather more than his share of misfortune, and he certainly has a confident, calm approach, which means much in the tensions of this test series. He has twice won ‘.he Rothmans test awards for fielding.

McEwan is also an outstandingly "ood fieldsman, and his aggressive batting approach could be valuable. His chance of selection may also depend on the fitness of John Wright. If Wright is unable to play — he has a very sore left leg, with a muscular problem in the -thigh which is causing internal bleeding — Webb may have to open and McEwan take his place further down the order. No doubt the selectors are keen for Wright to play. But he is not the only casualty in the New Zealand -team. Stephen Boock is still troubled by the finger which was dislocated early in the match, and Richard Hadlee’s left ankle had him hobbling at times yesterday.

The New Zealand team is: Geoff Howarth (captain), John Wright, Bruce Edgar, John Parker, Jeremy Coney, Paul McEwan, Peter . Webb, Warren Lees, Richard Hadlee, Stephen Boock, Lance Cairns, and Gary Troup.