New first grade format will be closely analysed

Press, 4 October 1984, Page 28

New first grade format will be closely analysed

There is considerable Kiise that the 1984-85 teebank first grade cricket championship will be one of the most intriguing for many seasons. There was little between the eight established clubs last summer, and they have been joined by the newcomers, Marist and a second Lancaster Park XI. Marist earned the senior status that it had sought for decades when it convincingly won the second grade competition last season, and Lancaster Park successfully applied for dual representation when a majority of clubs voted to avoid a bye.

Some concern has been expressed as to the possible effects the expansion of the grade might have on the standard of cricket, and no doubt the sport’s administrators will be very mindful of that as they gauge the progress of the new format. Both Marist and the second Lancaster Park side will have a number of very experienced players in their bids for prominent positions on the points table.

Marist has bolstered its victorious second grade combination by obtaining the services of the former Canterbury all-rounder, Warren Eddington, the prolific wicket-taking left-arm spinner, Garry MacDonald, from High School Old Boys, and John Larter (St Albans), Paul Stuart (Old Collegians), Greg Curtain (Sydenham), Paul Healy and Mike O’Neill (both BurnsideWest), and Kevin Thomas, who has played for Hawke’s

Bay as a batsman.

The club also has a leading Dutch cricketer, Yop Werle, a left-arm slow bowler who appeared for the Netherlands at the 1982 World Cup tournament.

Lancaster Park officials have moved to avoid labelling their sides as “A” and “B.” Instead, one team will be known as D.B. Lancaster Park in recognition of a sponsorship arrangement, and the other simply by the club’s name.

Dave Dempsey, having stayed beyond the boundary lines last season, returns to captain D.B. Lancaster Park, and Wayne Wilson also makes a come-back to senior cricket as captain of Lancaster Park. The club submitted a list of 40 names to the Canterbury association in support of its application for promotion of a second side, and only 10 of those players had not played at senior level. Missing from the squad was the very capable wicketkeeper and batsman, Graeme Kench, who has transferred to Nelson.

John Radovonich, having completed commitments with the New Zealand junior men’s hockey team, has university examinations as his next priority and is not available for the first few rounds. Simon Millichip’s availability had still to be confirmed earlier this week after an off-season in England and Holland, but Roy Gearry is strapping the pads on again. Old Collegians begins its defence of the championship with some vacancies for the more promising performers

within the club. Paul McEwan and Vaughan Brown have departed for Zimbabwe with the Young New Zealand team and McEwan, at least, will then go on to Pakistan with the full national side.

Doug McMillan has moved on to Motueka, and Stuart is with Marist. Old Collegians will again be under the leadership of Richard Leggat.

Only 14% points separated the first seven teams last summer, with High School Old Boys eventually slipping to fourth after having led for most of the championship. Old Boys have lost Tony Blain (back in Nelson) and MacDonald, and Barry Hadlee and Tony Davoren are regarded as unlikely starters. David Bull will not be back from Australia until mid-season.

Youth will also be given its chance at Old Boys. It was encouraging for the club that Jonathan Eaton and Paul Hartland made a smooth transition to senior level last season.

Burnside-West, seeking to improve one place on its runner-up position of last season, has lost the experience of Peter Wallace. A bowler, Hamish Hudson, and batsman, Andrew Vincent, are strong candidates for the first XI, with Alan Piper, a batsman, and Andrew Boyle, who bowls left-arm medium-pacers, also in contention.

David Stead again has the captaincy reins at Riccarton, which is virtually unchanged from the team which finished third in 1983-

84. The only regular senior player absent from preseason preparations was the opening bowler, Phil Stoyanoff.

St Albans begins its campaign without Larter, Mike Fullen — who has conflicting soccer commitments — and, until after university examinations, Roger Ford. A New Zealand Services off-spinner from Kaikoura, Paul Malone, a batsman, Andrew Martell, who is formerly from Blenheim and now at Lincoln College, and a left-arm quick bowler, Wayne Van Delsum, have claims for senior grading. Lyn Sparks retains the captaincy. It is expected that Bob Carter will again be tossing the coin and directing tactics at Sydenham, where there have been a number of changes. Greg Brown is not available until after Christmas, Tom White is in doubt because of a knee injury and

Curtain has joined Marist. The top run-scorer, Bryce Nicholson, and wicket-taker, Rob Sutherland, in second grade last summer have also departed — Nicholson for another rugby league season in Britain and Sutherland to East-Shirley. Among those vying for the vacant positions are Wayne Pluck, a batsman from North Canterbury, the bowlers, Roy Wesney and Joe Smith, and a promising lower grade batsman, Kevin Moore.

East-Shirley, to be captained by Keith Moorfield, has to wait until after university examinations before regaining the talents of David Grpcott and Gary Jones. But it is fortunate to have Russell Mawhinney for about the first three rounds — Mawhinney had two Shell Trophy matches for Otago last summer as a batsman and useful left-arm seam bowler.