Can Aust. selectors forgive Thomson?
NZPA Southampton Can the Australian cricket selectors forgive Jeff Thomson for publicly calling them “a bunch of idiots?”
Logically that’s what they should do now that Dennis Lillee has viral pneumonia and looks like missing the first month of the English tour.
Lillee spent his fifth day in hospital in London yesterday, while the rest of the team spent their twentyrfirst day on tour without playing a first-class match. Rain washed out the first day of the match against Hampshire, and the game will now be restarted today and finish on Saturday.
That means the Australians will play 12 days cricket out of the next 13, travelling between Southampton, Taunton, Swansea and Bristol in between.
But Lillee’s condition remains the main concern. Without him Australia’s chances of regaining the Ashes are considerably slimmer. Already without Greg Chappell as the rock of the batting order the bookmakers are offering 7-4 against Australia winning the series, with England 6-4 favourite, and a drawn rubber, 9-4.
Lillee is unlikely to be fit for the first one-day international against England at Lord’s on June 4, and without the proper match conditioning there must now be a doubt about his being ready
in time for the first test at Trent Bridge on June 18.
The need for another fast bowler is apparent, and who better than Jeff Thomson, whom many thought should have been in the party in the first place, not the least of them Thomson himself.
•A newspaper quoted him as saying at the time: “I always thought the selectors were a bunch of idiots — this just confirms it.” The board has since reprimanded him for that indiscretion, and the matter should be closed, but it will not be easy for it to swallow its indignation and ask him to join the team in the first weeks after arriving in London.
Logically Thomson is the man Australia needs. He is the best qualified for the job: he is only 100 kilometres away in London, and he is match-fit and taking wickets. Thomson himself would be delighted, and as sorry as he must be feeling for his old mate, Lillee, it’s a fair bet he has already got a bag packed. _____
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Press, 21 May 1981, Page 32
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372Can Aust. selectors forgive Thomson? Press, 21 May 1981, Page 32
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