Weighty problem facing yesterday’s- heroes

Press, 28 August 1980, Page 32

Weighty problem facing yesterday’s- heroes

NZPA London England captain, lan Botham, is not the only cricketer conscious of unwanted weight in this week of nostalgic reflections and the harsh realities of 100 years of playing tests in England. Greg Chappell’s hapless Australians look to the Centenary Test, beginning late tonight (N.Z. time), with some alarm after their humiliating loss to Nottinghamshire over the week-end. But another team of Australians, including

more illustrious names than some of their latterday successors, will be heavily backing themselves when “Old Australia” meets “Old England.” They are playing their test curtain-raiser match at the Oval in south London, a more fitting venue than Lord’s since it was where the first test in England against Australia was played. It was intended to be a leisurely day of sporting reminiscences and discoveries that the flesh is no longer as willing as the

spirit, until some official with an evil bent came up with the idea that the “Golden Oldies” would play 50 overs each. That’s a tall order for men who, for the most part, these days get no nearer the middle than anchoring an elbow in the members’ bar and who, almost to a man, have a girth to rival the dimensions of W. G. Grace — or even Botham. In spite of the team names, they are not all that old. Most are of 1950 s and 1960 s vintage

and some, from both sides, still play, even if it is more social than serious. The Australian captain, Bob Simpson, was playing test cricket only a couple of years ago — admittedly in a second career — and the batsman, lan Redpath, would probably be welcomed by Chappell should he again make himself available for tests. England’s captain, Colin Cowdrey, is not as trim as he was but he still plays minor cricket regularly, while Basil d’Oliveira finished county cricket only

last season and is still kept in form by being coach to Worcestershire. But some of the others, especially the bowlers, would have looked aghast at the rules which will have them playing for most of the day. Fred Trueman’s only fire these days comes in his radio commentaries, Frank Tyson is more an ageing, gentle zephyr than a typhoon and Tony Lock will probably be happy to bowl his slower one as often as he can get away with it.

The Australians have players of recent enough vintage like Keith Stackpole, Alan Connolly, John Gleeson and Brian Taber to make up for some of their heavier team-mates like the once-great Alan Davidson and Neil Harvey. For about seven hours today — especially if London’s elusive sun makes a guest appearance — yesterday’s. cricketers are likely to find that, unlike old soldiers, the age has wearied them and the years condemned. The teams which hope

to take the field are:— Old Australia: Bob Simpson (captain), lan Redpath, Alan Connolly, Bob Cowper, Alan Davidson, Johnny Gleeson, Neil Harvey, Barry Jarman, Brian Taber, Tom Vievers, Frank Misson, Keith Stackpole. Old England: Colin Cowdrey (captain), Ken Barrington, Basil d’Oliviera, John Edrich, Tom Graveney, Tony Lock, John Murray, Mike (M. J. K. Smith, Fred Titmus, Fred Truman, Frank Tyson.