England cricket team surprises

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 36

England cricket team surprises

NZPA staff correspondent London English cricket's bare pace bowling cupboard has forced the selectors to choose Norman Cowans, a raw 21-year-old, for the tough tour of Australia and New Zealand this summer. • '

The Jamiacan-born Cowans has been thrust into the limelight to make up the England spearhead along with the skipper, Bob Willis, and lan Botham, after only 16 games for his county Middlesex, the 1982 champions. After playing two matches in 1981, Cowans was out of action until July this year with a back injury. But his explosive bowling then became an important factor in Middlesex’s title bid as he captured 28 wickets at

an average of 22.35. The preference for Cowans over more experienced candidates such as Graham Dilley is one of several surprises in the team which will defend the Ashes and play a triangular one-day series which will involve New Zealand.

The selectors, who were chaired by Peter May, have punished middle-order batsman Mike Gatting for his consistent failure to score heavily in the test arena. The touring party is: Chris Tavare, Graeme Fowler. Geoff Cook, David Gower (vice cap-' tain), Allan Lamb. Derek Randall, lan Botham. Bob Willis (captain), Norman Cowans, Derek Pringle, (subject to fitness test), Robin Jackman, ■ Eddie Hemmings. Geoff Miller, Vic Marks, Bob Taylor and lan Gould.