England fast bowler has broken toe

Press, 30 January 1984, Page 17

England fast bowler has broken toe

PA Dunedin A freak training accident resulting in a broken toe has ruled the promising young Essex fast bowler, Neil Foster, out of England’s side for the second cricket test against New Zealand at Lancaster Park, starting on Friday. Foster trudged off a practice pitch and out of test reckoning yesterday when struck on the toe by a fullpitched delivery from his captain, Bob Willis, which cracked the joint in the little toe of his left foot. He was taken to Dunedin Hospital where X-rays confirmed the fracture and the tour manager, Alan Smith, immediately announced the 21-year-old seamer out of contention for England’s second-test side. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s just one of those things,” said Mr Smith. “This could have happened to anyone at any time. It’s just an unfortunate thing that it’s happened to Neil at this time. “There is no chance, I’m certain, that Neil will be available for the Christchurch test. As far as his availability for matches after that — we’ll be taking things as they come.” Mr Smith said Foster’s toe was badly bruised and swollen, causing the bowler considerable pain. - “We expect the injury to settle over the next two or three days and we will know at that point how severely Neil is likely to be affected and how long he might be out of circulation,” Mr Smith said. Foster’s unavailability for the Christchurch international poses severe problems for the touring team, compounding the already difficult task of balancing its attack.

Before Foster's injury pacemen Norman Cowans and Graham Dilley appeared to be vying with the off-spinner, Nick Cook, for a place in the tourists' 12-man test squad. The deciding factor in that selection would have been the character of Lancaster Park's controversial wicket, which has yet to be inspected by the tourists. If it appeared likely to encourage pace, Dilley or Cowans might have been included. If it seemed to favour spinners, perhaps breaking up in the later stages of the match, Cook might have retained selection after being included in England’s 12 for the Wellington test. Now Dilley, who returned encouraging bowling figures in the tourists’ match against Otago which concluded in Dunedin yesterday, seems likely to become Fowler’s replacement, while Cook and Cowans shape up for the remaining bowling berth. Mr Smith had the unhappy duty yesterday of reporting two injuries — Foster’s and one of less severity, but almost equal concern, to Bob Taylor. The wicketkeeper, Taylor woke yesterday morning feeling a minor groin strain which flared during the later stages of the match on Saturday. The English management decided immediately to rest the 42-year-old ’keeper to ensure his injury became no more serious. He missed the full final day yesterday, allowing the part-time ’keeper, Graeme Fowler, to take the gloves for the first time on tour. Taylor will also stand down for the tourists’ oneday match against Otago at Alexandra today.