Webb recalled to N.Z. team

Press, 31 December 1982, Page 34

Webb recalled to N.Z. team

By

JOHN COFFEY

The Auckland batsman. Peter Webb, has been recalled to the New Zealand cricket team for the international triangular limitedover series against Australia and England, starting at Melbourne on January 9. Webb edged out two of his provincial team-mates, Martin Crowe and John Reid, in a contest which must have given the national selectors (Frank Cameron, Don Neely and John Guy) cause for considerable thought.

The inter-district Shell Series has only extended for one round, but Webb made full use of his restricted opportunities to put his case to the New Zealand panel. He had scores of 59 and 76 not out in the three-day match with Otago, and added

an aggressive 57 before being run out in the cup game yesterday.

Not that Crowe and Reid were allowing Webb to make all of the running. Crowe could hardly have been expected to do more than make a century in the first-class fixture and a half-century yesterday. Reid had a more modest return in the trophy fixture, but shared a prolific partnership with Webb yesterday before also being run out, for 71. However, neither Crowe nor Reid managed to accumulate runs consistently or in substantial quantity during New Zealand’s brief tour to Australia earlier this summer, and that was undoubtedly a factor in the selectors' considerations.

Webb, aged 25, now has a chance to secure a perman-

ent place in international cricket. His previous opening was in the 1979 World Cup tournament in England, and in two tests against the West Indies in the next southern season.

The Crowe family will have learned of the composition of the team with mixed emotions. Martin Crowe’s omission could also be largely attributed to the inclusion of his older brother, Jeff. Jeff Crowe seemed destined for national honours from his schoolboy days, when he fashioned a quite outstanding record as a batsman. But his career deviated from the norm when he chose to pursue his future in South Australia, and he developed into a prolific scorer for that state. It is understandable that

the selectors want to capitalise on Jeff Crowe's knowledge of Australian conditions, and his awareness of the skills of the Australian bowlers. They were probably hopeful that he would aggregate more than 49 runs in this three innings against Otago, but both of his dismissals were run outs. Another of the batsmen, Jeremy Coney, could have benefited from more midfield practice for Wellington against Northern Districts. He was not required to bat in either innings of the trophy game, and his stay was brief in yesterday's low-scoring affair. Coney's experience, past success, grit and value as a supporting bowler combined to make him a logical choice.

There was surprise that

Warren Lees should be brought back for the first trip to Australia this summer. but Lees fought off his wicket-keeping challengers by gathering a total of 100 runs from the Auckland bowlers. His come-back as an all-rounder has been at the expense of lan Smith

The team is: Geoff Howarth (Northern Districts, captain). John Wright (Northern Districts, vice captain), Lance Cairns (Northern Districts). Ewen Chatfield (Wellington). Jeremy Coney (Wellington). John Morrison (Wellington). Jeff Crowe (Auckland). Bruce Edgar (Wellington), Warren Lees (Otago), Richard Hadlee (Canterbury), Martin Snedden (Auckland). Gary Troup (Auckland). Glenn Turner (Otago). Peter Webb (Auckland).

The selectors have reserved the right to replace any player at any stage of the tour.