Test chances good, says commentator

Press, 2 November 1985, Page 80

Test chances good, says commentator

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The Australian cricket commentator, Alan McGilvray, gives. New Zealand a very good chance of achieving its first test win against his home country in Australia in the forthcoming three-test series. “The Australian team is psychologically down at present after its 3-1 loss to England in the Ashes series recently. The players have to re-establish themselves — top-order batsmen such as Hilditch are going out there conscious of the fact they have to get runs,” he said. Mr McGilvray, who was in Christchurch yesterday on the last leg of a visit which has taken him to Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin to promote his book, “McGilvray — The Game Is Not The Same” — was also concerned about the retention of Kepler Wessels. “I imagine Hadlee knows him and his weaknesses,” he said. “I hoped the Australian selectors would have picked some younger fellows. Robbie Kerr — he’s got what it takes given an opportunity.” Mr McGilvray, whose first live broadcast on A.B.C. Radio was in 1946 of an Australia and England clash, finished his illustrious career in September commentating on the Ashes series in England. He has been to all the main cricket playing countries, although he has visited New Zealand only once previously. He has deep admiration for New Zealand’s key strike bowler, Richard Hadlee. “From the feet up, he has a lovely delivery action, beautifully co-ordi-nated. “When I was in England this year I twice , went to see him play at Notts — the first occasion Notts batted first!”

Mr McGilvray’s knowledge of the present New Zealand team has been confined to one-day games, but he seemed mildly surprised that Geoff Howarth was not in the team as captain. “I understand it is to do

with his form, but I liked Howarth as a captain from what I saw of him in the one-day games. He made a study of the batsmen, made adjustments to the field to keep them under pressure. He was very skilful, an excellent tactical captain,” he said. In the coming test series, Mr McGilvray feels that Australia will be well served by the fast bowlers, Geoff Lawson and Craig McDermott.

“There was an excuse for Lawson in England. He was not well, he should have been rested for the first two tests. He had a severe virus. Still, it remains to be seen whether he can regain form. “McDermott is a strong, big lump of a lad. He lacks experience and has to learn to bowl straight. But the’s only 20 and from Queensland — they’re pretty tough that side of the wood — although you have got to have brains.” What of the Australian spin bowling? “The spinners are just not there,” Mr McGilvray said, but he added that Bob Holland would get wickets. “New Zealand might not be used to playing leg-spin. Holland’s prepared to keep the ball up, he could have them in trouble.” The title of Mr McGilvray’s book reflects his attitude to the game of cricket as it has become more

influenced by money. He says the years, of necessity, have wrought much change. “In some ways the gentle game has been tainted by the money and commercialism that has followed its popularity. They have brought their attendant greed and selfishness. My generation will always lament the shift in attitudes. “The game we knew as one of pure sport and pleasant conversation has inevitably become immersed in the quagmire of modem commercial life in which corporate high finance and individual avarice have become the supreme motivations.”

While not an advocate of coloured uniforms, white balls and night cricket, Mr McGilvray does not begrudge the payments to cricketers “and Australian cricketers are especially well paid.” “It is to protect players when they are finished. Where can you go at 35 years? So many past cricketers disappeared into the gloom. About 10 years ago, sports businesses would employ these players, it doesn’t happen these days,” said Mr McGilvray. He has valued the friendships formed in countries throughout the world, and made possible by his job. “I have been in the luckiest field, it’s been a marvellous experience.” After entertaining millions of listeners for 40 years, Mr McGilvray is now a keen listener himself. It is a measure of the esteem he Is held in that many budding young commentators have turned to him for advice. He is only too willing to listen to them and offer assistance. His first instruction is simply to keep the score going to the public. “The average commentator returns after a lunch break and forgets what happened in the morning. You don’t know when someone is tuning in for the first time, but you do know that the first thing that person will want to hear is the score and scoreboard.”