Full N.Z. support

Press, 28 February 1981, Page 60

Full N.Z. support

PA Wellington The chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council’s Board of Control, Mr R. A. Vance, said yesterday that he fully supported the action of the England team in calling off the second test against the West Indies. “Should any country impose such sanctions against a New Zealand team, we would not tour that country. I hope that all cricket boards adopt this attitude,” he said. Mr Vance said that the situation in Guyana, which was precipitated by the government’s decision to ban the English player, Robin Jackman, was “disastrous” to cric-

ket’s future in the West Indies.

Guyana was a separate country and its action could be taken by other nations in the West Indies, especially Jamaica, he said. New Zealand is tentatively scheduled to tour the West Indies next year and Mr Vance said his board would seek a guarantee that the Guyanese action would not be repeated against the New Zealand team. “Before the selection of our team, we will require an unqualified assurance that all the West Indies countries we visit will allow entry to all players in our team. “There will be no variation

or concession made in this stance,” he said. No prosepective member of the New Zealand touring party has played cricket in South Africa consistently over recent northern winters as is the case with Jackman.

However, the opener, John Wright, is at present considering playing there this year at the invitation of his Derbyshire team mate, the South African, Peter Kirsten. Mr Vance said that the New Zealand Cricket Council could not stop Wright playing in South Africa as this would be classed as a restriction of the player’s trade.