Turner out of tour

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 1

Turner out of tour

By

RAY CAIRNS

Glenn Turner is not available to tour Australia •with the New Zealand cricket team early this summer, nor will he play cricket at all in New Zealand. ■

Turner, chosen for the tour and given until early September to make known his availability, telephoned “The Press” from Worcester yesterday and announced his decision, after first advising Mr Bob Vance, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council board of control, who is at present in England. “I told him that regrettably I must decline the N.Z.C.C. invitation to tour Australia this summer” said Turner. “I have recently accepted captaincy of Worcestershire for the 1981 season, and after 16 years in the first-class game, I have no real desire to return to playing cricket for 12 months of the year.” After noting that he would return to New Zealand for the summer, Turner said: “I do not intend getting involved in any cricket, that is, club or first-class." “I hope my replacement in Australia will grasp his opportunity, and I wish the side every success.” Asked if this decision meant that his . international career was finished, Turner simply said: “I am never actually going to retire. There is no point — one is either available or not.”