Seam bowlers look for first test field day

Press, 26 February 1982, Page 30

Seam bowlers look for first test field day

From R. T. BRITTENDEN

If and when the covers come off the Basin Reserve pitch today there is likely to be a lengthy period of close inspection. It now seems unlikely that the first Australian and New Zealand cricket test will begin on time and when it does the side winning the toss will have seamers with itchy fingers.

In the one-day match last Saturday the misfortune of the toss had a profound effect on the New Zealanders. The Australian bowlers looked their leanest and hungriest. Should New Zealand be required to bat first again they will be in for a very testing time. There is no reason to suppose that the Australians’ luck with the toss will leave them. They have called correctly al each of the five tour games so far. They will probably give no thought to that when Geoff Howarth spins the coin: this will be entirely new business. It may be that Howarth, who has lost four tosses in four to Greg Chappell and Kim

Hughes, may borrow the stratagem of sending a deputy to the middle. Lance Cairns appeals as the most likely choice. Winning the toss may be more a psychological than a practical victory. There has been a lot of rain in Wellington in the last three days and the final preparation of the test pitch has been badly hindered. It was not likely to be batsman's paradise had the weather been benign, judging

by the behavior- of the strip alongside it used for the Rothmans Cup final. But it is inconceivable that the side batting first will be wrecked on a pitch which will suddenly become devoid of malice. Batting may be difficult throughout the match if recent events provide a proper pointer. The covers have been on for a long time and the forecast for today is for showers with increasing bright intervals. The weather prospects for tomorrow are good. New Zealand will not make known its final selection until shortly before the start. This seenis to be the time for Ewen Chatfield to replace Martin Snedden. There is bound to be something in the pitch for the bowlers and Chatfield is much less likely to waste it than Snedden. In ordinary conditions Snedden is a more' aggressive bowler than Chatfield but Chatfield’s accuracy should take him into the side. New Zealand was in a difficult position last Saturday but far more resolution will be needed from the batsmen if they are to help sustain New Zealand's newly

acquired reputation for being good competitors. Australia has named Ray Bright as its twelfth man. leaving a squad of 12. Dennis Lillee. Terry Aiderman. and Jeff Thomson are certainties and with Chappell in support they should give Australia ample attacking power if the ball moves about. It may well be that the highly successful off-spinner, Bruce Yardley, will be in the 11 to the exclusion of the fourth pace bowler. Len Pascoe, who is still suffering from a bruised instep. Pascoe is the sort of man who would bowl with a broken leg if he thought it would help. Here he may not be needed.

The first’game in a threematch series is always of particular importance to both teams. For the New Zealanders, this one carries a special burden of responsibility. Much has been achieved in the last few years. In the last two summers, home series have been won against the West Indies and India. If New Zealand’s present proud reputation is to be sustained it must not be run over by a capable and confident Australian team.