Century for Gomes

Press, 12 June 1984, Page 44

Century for Gomes

NZPA-Reuter England Larry Gomes went a long way towards clinching the number three batting position in the West Indies team for Thursday’s opening cricket test against England with his first century of the tour against Northamptonshire yesterday. The 30-year-old Trinidad left-hander battled through 78 overs for an unbeaten 109 on a pitch of unpredictable bounce. The touring team was all out for 268, a first innings lead of 48, and by the close on the second day of the three-day match, Northamptonshire had scored two for no wicket. Gomes looked as if he would run out of partners before he reached his century. He was 86 when joined by the last man, Milton Small, who played a straight bat to everything that came his way until a relieved Gomes posted his century, with 14 fours, after 289 minutes. It was the fifth time he had scored over 50 on the tour 3,nd he should have

done enough to keep the gifted Richie Richardson out of the Edgbaston test. ® England named its team for the test and the wicket-keeper for the last three years, Bob Taylor, was dropped in favour of Paul Downton. Taylor, 43 next month, was among a regular trio omitted from a squad of 12 named and based on the players who were called upon for the recent three one-day internationals against the touring team. The middle-order batsman, Mike Gatting, and the fast bowler, Norman Cowans, were the others left out, while the left-arm spinner. Nick Cook, was included after missing the limited-overs series. The recall of Downton, aged 27, after a three-year absence almost certainly means the end of Taylor’s international career after 57 tests and it leaves unfulfilled his remaining ambition — to play in a test against the West Indies. Even a career-best 258 against Somerset recently failed to save

place, while Cowans was not retained after an indifferent 12-test career and a moderate 1984 season. Bob Willis, replaced as captain for the series by David Gower, spearheads the new ball attack. He has Neil Foster and lan Botham in support, with Derek Pringle as the fourth seamer. But England’s strike bowlers are in no way comparable to those of the West Indies, and Pringle might be the twelfth man, with the off-spinner, Geoff Miller, and Cook being preferred. With only five specialist batsmen chosen, all are certain to play. Graeme Fowler and the uncapped, Andy Lloyd, will aim to continue the effective opening partnership they established in the one-day games, with Gower, Allan Lamb and Derek Randall to follow. England’s team is: David Gower (captain), lan Botham, Nick Cook, Paul Downton. Neil Foster, Graeme Fowler, Allan Lamb, Andy Lloyd, Geoff Miller, Derek Pringle, Derek Randall, Bob Willis.