N.Z. can make it 3-0 even without Hadlee

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 64

N.Z. can make it 3-0 even without Hadlee

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

A New Zealand cricket team lacking Richard Hadlee is rather like an English Christmas pantomime without the Demon King, but there is a strong prospect that Hadlee will not be in the side to meet England at Lancaster Park today, in the last of the Rothmans Cup matches against England.

Hadlee was satisfied with his fitness after the New Zealand squad practised yesterday morning. If he is omitted — the final choice from the squad of 13 will be made today - it will not be merely because New Zealand has twice beaten England without him. The New Zealand captain. Geoff Howarth, said in Wellington earlier this week that he could see no reason why the winning side should not be retained. There was no truth in the rumours that there was a rift between Hadlee and the team. Howarth said. “He has had an injury, and it has taken him a while to get over it. The side has done pretty well with the resources at its command, and it would be nice to win threenil. “Richard seemed to be okay today after a good work-out, but he has not played for three weeks, and it may be best if he does not come back too soon. He is needed for the matches against Sri Lanka.” said Howarth. "To suggest there is animosity is ridiculous." he said. Howarth said he had not found any complacency about his team, although it had won at Wellington to take the series. "We do have a high confidence level, but we do not want to see it all slip away. We want to win. and take the series three-nil if we can.” If Howar.th's hopes bear fruit, it will be a victory of some statistical .significance. It would leave the countries at seven each in all the oneday matches between them. The pitch at Lancaster Park is expected to be ideal for a one-day game. It would be a great pity for the 30,000 spectators if Hadlee does not play. He is

the local hero, and al Lancaster Park. Lance Cairns may have to take second place in the crowd's, affections. Perhaps it would be unwise to risk a recurrence of his hamstring injury with the series already won, but if he is fully fit, ’ the lack of a game for the last three weeks would not be a great handicap. Hadlee is the best bowler New Zealand has. and he gives the side an extra batsman. The selectors will this morning have to balance concern about Hadlee's fitness with the need to put the best side into the field. Anything else would be an affront to the English team. The New Zealanders trained for about two hours, mainly on the back ground at Lancaster Park. There were three ground bowlers — David Boyle. Ross McNally and Mark O'Donnell. New Zealand will give a good account of itself. It has strong batting, and at both Auckland and Wellington, better-disciplined bowling, sharper fielding than England could muster. It would be foolish to write off this England team. To be sure, it lacked real fight at Wellington, its bowling does not seem strong enough, and it is undoubtedly showing the effects of more than' four months of touring. But it has four batsman capable of winning the match almost single-handed. It is unthinkable that David Gower, lan Botham, Derek Randall, and Allan Lamb — will not produce at least one innings of real significance todav.

The England team spent yesterday at leisure. The inanagef. Mr Doug Insole, said that practice at this stage of a long tour was counter-productive. One alteration has been made to the team. Norman Cowans, the young fast bowler, has been included, and Derek Pringle omitted. One dramatic change has been made in the batting order. The hard-hitting lan Botham will now be at number five, and the wicketkeeper. lan Gould, will open, with Chris Tavare. Botham was not at home against the movement of the new ball in Auckland, and made only 15 at Wellington. Lower in the order, he might well rediscover his punishing powers. It should be a tremendous spectacle and, if England can find the urge to finish its tour on a proud note, a great match. At Wellington, the touring team turned up its toes. Its captain, Bob Willis, thought after the Auckland loss that professional pride might restore England’s fortunes at the Basin Reserve. One must hope that this team does not self-destruct again. The teams are: England: lan Gould, Chris Tavare, David Gower. Allan Lamb, lan Botham. Derek Randall, Geoff Miller. Vic Marks. Robin Jackman, Bob Willis, and Norman Cowans. New Zealand (two to be omitted): Glenn Turner. Bruce Edgar, John Wright, Geoff Howarth, Jeff Crowe, John Morrison. Jeremy Coney, Richard Hadlee, Warren Lees. Lance Cairns. Martin Snedden, Ewan Chatfield, and Richard Webb.