Robertson, Edwards in N.Z. team

Press, 9 February 1981, Page 28

Robertson, Edwards in N.Z. team

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

The New Zealand team to play India in the two . 50over matches at the weekend will have a neat division of duties; there will be five specialist batsmen, five front-line bowlers, and a wicket-keeper. - 4 There are six seam bowlers in the 12 players named for the match, but one will have to be dropped. It may well be Lance Cairns, whose inclusion is subject to a fitness test. The plavers selected are: G. P. Howarth (captain) B. L. Cairns, E. J. Chatfield, J. V. Coney, B. A. Edgar, G. N. Edwards, R. J. Hadlee, G. K. Robertson, I. D. S. Smith, M. C. Snedden, G. B. Troup, and J. G. Wright The inclusion of Jock Edwards will be welcomed. He has had a fine Shell series (576 runs at 52.4) and made good quick runs in the oneday Shell Cup series. He is quick in the field, and might be able to give the middle batting extra punch. Neither Mark Burgess nor John Parker, regular members of the team in the Australian 50-over matches, were available. The selection of Robertson may be a little premature. He "is a fast-medium bowler of particular promise, but he has shown no particular ability at providing the mean sort of fare demanded in one-day cricket. It is known he has a shoulder

problem, and this 20-year-old has already had a heavy bowling burden in the Rothman’s . and. ...Shell competitions. It is to. be hoped that the intention is simply to have him there for experience. However, if Cairns cannot play because of his groin injury, Robertson will almost certainly play. Coney also has to have a fitness test, and it is unlikely that he will be in the side as the fifth bowler. Should Coney not pass his test, another batsman will have to be bound. No matter how useful the batting of Hadlee, Robertson, and Smith may be, New Zealand could hardly go into the match with four specialist batsmen. There are plenty of candidates if a batsman has to be rushed to Eden Park. There is one nearby — John Reid. He has batted especially well this season, but his fielding is a problem. Barry Cooper, of Northern Districts, might fill the bill, and so could Martin Crowe of Auckland. Otago . has Bruce Blair, and there are two from Canterbury — David Dempsey and Vaughan Brown.

Dempsey has made his runs as an opener, Brown at number three. Both field well, but Brown is perhaps the better and more versatile. He would be a very good choice to go in at four or five.