Wilson showing the way

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 34

Wilson showing the way

One would expect that a cricketer who, one month into a season, enjoyed a batting average in excess of 70 and was leading his team’s bowling performances would be able to look to the remainder of the summer with a confident air.

But Wayne Wilson, who individual contributions have mirrored the dedication and determination evident throughout a long career, also has the unenviable task of captaincy of the Lancaster Park B side in the Trusteebank first grade championship. Park B has been outclassed on three of the four days of the competition — the exception was the second day, when it batted courageously in ideal conditions to deny St Albans outright victory at Hagley Oval.

It was not able to repeat that effort against its own A side at Ensors Road last Saturday, after a disastrous run out required it to follow-on for the second time in as many matches. . Wilson served Park splendidly for 16 seasons until he decided to restrict himself to lower grade play two years ago. He “retired” with more than 450 wickets from his left-arm medium-paced deliveries, and a share in five championship and numerous limited-overs victories.

At 38 years of age, Wilson responded to his club’s call when Park successfully nominated a second team this summer. His wide experiences and cheerful countenance made him a logical choice for leadership.

There were frowns, however, when Wilson invited St Albans to bat on opening day. Park’s bowlers sweltered in the heat as St Albans mustered more than 300 runs for the loss of only four wickets. One dismissal was a run out; Wilson caused the other three.

Before stumps Wilson was back in the centre, defending stubbornly after all of Park’s specialist bats-

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men had failed. He soldiered on the next Saturday morning, preventing St Albans from bringing an abrupt end to the Park first innings. With his unbeaten 32, Wilson had proved to his teammates that there were no demons in the Hagley pitch nor unplayable bowlers in the opposing line-up. But even after a muqh improved second innings display, Park needed Wilson’s coolness to see it through to its first competition point.

Against Park A in the latest round, Wilson was once more the only Park B player to reach double figures in each innings. His stubborn resistance and several well-chosen moments of aggression have given Wilson his aggregate and average of 74; the next best of those who have appeared in both games is Nick Foster, who is averaging just over 20.

What is more, Wilson is now in sight of 2000 senior runs. He needs another 60.

Wilson is no longer a sylph-like figure and his pace has diminished markedly since he played Hawke Cup cricket for North Canterbury as a youngster, but he still retains considerable energy and accuracy.' Both assets were invaluable when injuries left him with only

JOHN COFFEY

himself and the spinner, Robbie Foster, to carry on for much of Park A’s first

innings. They delivered 29 overs each. It promises to be a long and arduous summer for Park B. Its entry was hot

universally applauded, and the problems will be compounded by the loss of inform players to the club’s A . team and the inevitable comparisons made with the

spectacularly successful start of the other newcomer, Marist. At least it has on the credit side the wholehearted fortitude of its captain.