Barrett not happy at Worcester

Press, 19 June 1986, Page 38

Barrett not happy at Worcester

By

KEVIN HART

NZPA staff correspondent London The young Auckland fast bowler, Brian Barrett, has joined the New Zealand cricket team soured by his experiences with the English county, Worcestershire. The lanky 19-year-old believes the county turned its back on him after his selection for the New Zealand tour of England. That selection meant Barrett, who was able to sign a one-year contract with Worcestershire as an English player by virtue of Irish parentage, automatically became an overseas player. In response, Worcestershire decided Barrett would no longer be considered for first team matches and consigned him to second XI play. It has also failed to indicate whether it might consider signing him as an overseas player next year. “I was very disappointed with Worcestershire’s attitude,” said Barrett today. “I felt as though I was just brushed aside.” It seemed apparent given the county’s attitude, he said, that his days at Worcester were at an end. The action of Worcestershire, the county served so well and for so long by the present New Zealand cricket manager, Glenn Turner, was governed by the fact that counties are now limited to one overseas-registered player. Worcestershire, not a

rich county, already has the Zimbabwean all-roun-der, Graeme Hick, on its books, and a relatively strong bowling staff. Barrett’s wish to forge a county career initially led him to turn down the chance to play for New Zealand, on the tour to Sri Lanka, Sharjah and Hong Kong earlier this year. “That was just a tour with one-day matches and I thought it was better for me to try and become established at Worcestershire,” he said. “But I wanted to play for New Zealand on a full tour.” Barrett, the only new cap in the New Zealand side, has had a meteoric rise as the search to find replacements for Richard Hadlee and Ewen Chatfield intensifies. Barrett claimed 10 Shell Trophy wickets at 21 runs each in three matches in his first season for Auckland, but illustrated his potential most vividly on the New Zealand under-19 side's tour of Australia. Called on to bowl long spells, he demonstrated a stamina which belied his slim physique, taking about 40 wickets into the bargain. Barrett said that after the hard - Australian pitches he had experienced problems adapting to English wickets, with the need to pitch the ball up. “I took 20 wickets in five games for the Worcestershire seconds, but really struggled, especially in the first month, to put the ball right up,” he said.