Cricket leaders can expect stiff opposition

Press, 31 October 1981, Page 64

Cricket leaders can expect stiff opposition

Both the leading teams in the A.N.Z. Bank senior cricket competition can ex-< pect stiff opposition when the third round begins today.

Burnside-West, which leads Lancaster Park by 1.68 points, will play Old Boys, the fourth-placed side, at Ham- Burnside-West has dropped Darryl King, who will be replaced by John Smith, who scored a secondgrade century in the opening round. The side’s wicketkeeper, Kevin Collins, has a bruised hand, but it is hoped he will be able to take his place in the team. The presence of Richard Hadlee will mean much to Old Boys, but his brother, Barry, is not available for this round. That brings back Paul Ellis, who batted very competently in the opening game, and Ross Bayliss may also be in the side, because

the seam bowler Ross Cameron is in doubt, through injury.

Burnside-West lost narrowly to East-Shirley last Monday, but it was a defeat which was also a victory. Peter Wallace, the Burnside captain, declared as soon as he had a first-innings lead. If he pursues such a positive policy, he will have more successes than failures. Had he had his side bat on, it would probably have killed the game. If it turned out to be a triumph for East, it was also to the benefit of the game. Lancaster Park, the titleholder, will meet St Albans. Park will field the same eleven which took firstinnings points from Riccarton. St Albans has made one change. Mark Priest is not available because of examinations, and he has . been

replaced by the former Central Districts all-rounder, Lyn Sparks. At Elmwood Park, Old Collegians will play EastShirley. Collegians have dropped Geoff Gray', and he has been replaced by a former St . Albans player, Graham Sercombe, who had a highly successful secondgrade season last summer. Tony Gray is not available for East, and if this leaves the side without a spinner, the replacement, Stephen Booth, is a young player of promise. He has had his senior successes, and last week, in second grade, bowled his seamers particularly well. Riccarton and Sydenham will meet at Sydenham Park. Sydenham has an unchanged side, and Riccarton expects to field its second-round team.