Bob Taylor in doubt

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 34

Bob Taylor in doubt

Bob Taylor, England’s seemingly ageless and indestructible wicket-keeper, is in doubt for the second cricket test against New Zealand at Lancaster Park, starting on Friday. A decision is expected to be made today whether the Middlesex and former England representative, Paul Downton, will be called to join the touring team.

Downton is at present coaching at Stellenbosch University near Cape Town and could arrive in Christchurch in time for the test. A previous tourist to Australia, New Zealand the

West Indies, Downton made the most recent of his four test appearances against Australia in 1981. A strained groin, suffered during Otago’s first innings at Dunedin last Saturday, prevented Taylor,, aged 42, from keeping wickets in the second innings. It was not intended that he play in the limited-over fixture at Alexandra yesterday, when Graeme Fowler, no longer a specialist in the role, deputised. Concern about Taylor’s condition increased when he had a most uncomfortable Sunday night in Alexandra. The team manager, Mr

Alan Smith, has alerted the Test and County Cricket Board in England of the situation. There was some happier news in the England camp. lan Botham was rested yesterday, but has recovered from his hamstring problems, and Neil Foster’s fractured toe was causing him less distress. Foster, injured when batting against his captain, Bob Willis, in the nets in Dunedin, is still “80 per cent certain to miss the second test,” according to Mr Smith, but is no longer totally out of consideration.