First test team cloaked in confusion

Press, 28 November 1980, Page 26

First test team cloaked in confusion

NZPA Brisbane While the Australians, relaxed and confident, breezed thrugh a lighthearted training session at the Brisbane Cricket Ground nets, the injuryplagued New Zealand first test team last evening was cloaked in confusion. The tourists will not name their final eleven until just before the start of play today. But the tour selectors were forced to leave out the talented all-rounder, Jeremy Coney, and the fast bowler, Gary Troup, because of fitness doubts and have bracketed the wicket keepers, Warren Lees and lan Smith.

The teams are; ' New Zealand: Geoff Howarth (c), Bruce Edgar, John Wright, Paul McEwan, John Parker, Mark Burgess, Warren Lees or lan Smith, Richard Hadlee, Lance Cairns, John Bracewell, Brendon Bracewell (twelfth man to be added). t Australia: Greg Chappell (c), Kim Hughes, John Dyson, Graeme Wood, Allan Border, Doug Walters, Rod Marsh, Dennis Lillee, Len Pascoe, Geoff Lawson, Jim Higgs, Ashley Mallett (twelfth man to be named). The New Zealand captain, Geoff Howarth, said: “It’s a real concern going

into the match knowing Steam would have different but for the injury problems. “But we can’t afford the luxury of naming anyone who might not last the full distance. “Morale, however, is high, and we are keen to build on our win over the West Indies at home last season.” Bright spots for the Kiwis were Howarth’s own recovery from a nagging groin injury and the fitness of the solid opening batsman, John Wright, who had been carrying a twisted ankle. The injury to ' Troup, who has not been able to

stretch out at the bowling crease for more than two weeks, has catapulted Brendon Bracewell into the test series after he was co-opted from Perth club cricket to plug an injury gap in the touring party. He comes into the New Zealand side for his fourth test and joins his older brother, John, to complete a fine family double. The biggest surprise handed out by the New Zealand selectors was the omission of the all-roun-der, Ewan Chatfield, the man of the match in New Zealand’s win’in the - oneday international at Adelaide, .

The New Zealand manager, Mr lan Taylor, said that the Adelaide win had boosted team spirit at “just the right time,” but New Zealand was anxious to improve its world standing as a test cricketing nation. However, the Australian captain, Greg Chappell, in a typically defiant reaction, said, “I' think we have the better side.” Chappell, aged 32, defended Australia’s ageing line-up with seven of the side over thirty. , “1., don’t believe test matches are the place to blood- young players. If they do well in state games and;progress, it is

good to have experienced players to give them the lead.

“I believe in this team — we have an ideal blending of experience and youth,” He gave a strong indication that one of the spinners, Jim Higgs or Ashley Mallett, would be twelfth man for the match. "To omit a fast bowler ’ might leave us a bit thin and the Gabba pitch hasn’t been too kind to the spinners so far this season,” Chappell said. Chappell said he would bowl himself if his main pace attack of Lillee, Pascoe and Lawson, needed help,