U-19 tournament team strong

Press, 10 December 1983, Page 80

U-19 tournament team strong

The convener of the provincial under-19 cricket selection panel, John Grocott, is confident that Canterbury can win the New Zealand under-19 tournament in Christchurch next week.

“It is a very strong batting side on paper. I think we have picked a team that can win,” he said.

Mr Grocott said there would be a special incentive for Canterbury to win the United Building Societysponsored tournament, which will start on Monday. “As far as I am aware, only David Hartshorn will be eligible from this year’s team for the next tournament,” he said.

It is an experienced Canterbury team; last season’s captain, John Radovonich, will lead it again. Also back from the side which finished fequal second behind Northern Districts in 1982 are Richard Hartshorn, lain Boyle, Roger Ford, David

Hartshorn, Gary Jones, Peter Kennedy and Grant Lucas.

Four of the cricketers, Radovonich, Richard Hartshorn, Boyle, and Kennedy should be match-hard-ened by now. They were in the Canterbury team which competed in the New Zealand under-22 tournament in Dunedin earlier this month.

The brunt of the batting will be borne by Radovonich

(the wicket-keeper), Darin Cusack, Lucas, Kennedy, Danny Halligan, Jones, and David Bond.

Lucas, a second-grade player for St Albans, is the only batsman not to have played first-grade club circket.

The opening bowlers will be Richard Hartshorn and Ford. Both are sharp of pace and have the ability to move the ball. Gary Chamberlain, a strong leftarm medium-paced bowler from North Canterbury, is likely to be used as a stock bowler. The draw for the first round is: Wellington v. Northern Districts, Hagley 1; Otago v. Auckland, Hagley 3; Central Districts v. Canterbury, Christ’s College 1. Canterbury’s opponents in order for the next four rounds will then be: Northern Districts, Ham 3; Auckland, Hagley 1; Wellington, flam 2; Otago, Hagley 3.