New Zealand favoured to win first test

Press, 4 March 1983, Page 32

New Zealand favoured to win first test

If the Sri Lankan team wins the first cricket test with New Zealand, which is scheduled to start at Lancaster Park this morning, it will be against the odds — and, it will probably feel, against the portents. The Sri Lankan team, already beaten by Canterbury, once by the New Zealand Minor Associations, and in the first one-day match with New Zealand at Carisbrook on Wednesday, arrived in Christchurch before noon yesterday. It is lodged at the Clarendon Hotel near Cathedral Square. About 1.45 p.m. Christchurch was whitened by a fierce hail storm, which must have been particularly spectacular for the cricketers from a green and serene island. Then at 2.25 p.m. the hotel, which has a full complement of guests, was emptied because of a fire alarm. This, it was discovered, was caused by the hail having overloaded the guttering.

The temperature in Christchurch has meanwhile been reduced to somewhere in single figures. Not the day, really, for Sri Lankans to be lining the street. Some 80 minutes later, there was a second fire alarm, and the exercise was repeated. One can only hope that the sun shines today, to persuade the visitors that there is some sanity in New Zealand.

The test — provided there is no rain this morning — is certain, to start on time. The Lancaster Park chief groundsman, Russell Wylie, was told about midday yesterday that no further rain was forecast. He put his trust in his eyes, and his instinct. And he was busy in the middle of the ground when the storm broke.

It was not a happy time for him. There was some vivid lightning, and he was conscious of the fact that he was adjusting the heavy metal pitch covers. But there was no damage to Mr Wylie,

or the pitch, which, after the storm had gone, was perfectly dry. The beautifullygroomed outfield was also no more than damp an hour after the hail storm. This first test between the two countries is likely to be played on a pitch which, in the early stages, is likely to favour seam bowling. The pitch looked very grassy yesterday, and even after another cut, is likely to be green when, the match starts.

The New Zealand 12 will not be reduced to 11 until this morning. The full Sri lankan party is at present in line for test selection. There was one item of good news from the manager, Mr Abu Fuard. The seam bowler Ashantha De Mel — who bowled the first ball in tests for his country and took the first wicket — is expected to play, although he could not complete his 10 overs at Carisbrook on Wednesday because of muscle injury. The captain, Duleep

Mendis, is “very doubtful,” according to Mr’ Fuard, but another star batsman, Roy Dias, might play. Dias in- ■ jured a thumb while fielding., at Wanganui against the combined Minor Associations.

Neither side was able to practice yesterday. New Zealand will go into the match as favourite, not only because of the prospect of the pitch helping Richard Hadlee in the early stages.

However, the Sri larikans might well offer very serious opposition. They bowled a very tight line and a good length at Carisbrook on Wednesday, and they have attacking batsmen with a particular penchant for getting on the front foot and driving.

They are said to be very nimble and enthusiastic fieldsmen, and have considerable strength in spin bowling. They have the reputation of being friendly and sporting. For this, they are especially welcome.