Priest likely to be chosen in Canterbury XI

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 68

Priest likely to be chosen in Canterbury XI

JOHN COFFEY

Outstanding performances with bat and ball, for club and province, at home and away last weekend might have assured Mark Priest of a recall to Canterbury’s first cricket XI. Priest greatly assisted his St Albans side consolidate its lead in the Turst Bank Trophy first grade championship with six inexpensive wickets and an unbeaten half-century against Woolston Working Men’s Club at Garrick Park on Saturday. The next day Priest scored 38 (run out) and claimed four wickets for only 21 runs in helping Canterbury to victory over a Marlborough Invitation XI at Blenheim. 'He complements his other cricketing skills with fleet-footed fielding and sure catching. A left-handed batsman and left-handed spinner, Priest has particularly strong claims for inclusion in the provincial team to be announced late this afternoon for the Shell Cup fixtures against Otago

at Dunedin on Boxing Day and Wellington at Wellington pn December 28. As a lead-up to the cup series, the same side will participate in warm-up matches with Otago (at Oainaru, December 6), Queensland (at Lancaster Pai;k, December 13) and Auckland (at Auckland, December 20). Bryan Andrews, the chairtoan of the Canterbury; selection panel, said yesterday, that it was intended to review the cup line-up/after the first two rounds. Canterbury’s next two fixtures are at Lancaster t’ark and Rangiora. “WeHaiend to use all of the cricket available to us,” said Mr Andrews, a reference to’ the rule allowing players to be promoted from .the Canterbury B team in midmatch. He said that some candidates were more suited to three-day, rather than limited-over cricket and would be best employed in the national second XI competition while advancing their claims for places in the Shell Trophy team.

Priest, whose sole Shell Trophy appearance was against Central Districts in 1984-85, has been more than competitive at second XI level. In the last two summers he has taken 54 wickets (at 16.53) and accumulated 503 runs (at 38.69) in the B side’s back-to-back title successes. >, It would not surprise if both Priest, aged 26, and the younger but more established leg-spinner, David Hartshorn, are both among the 12 cup players. The West Indian international, Michael Holding, and three other medium-, fast men, backed up by the medium-paced de-/ liveries of Paul McEwan .. and David Dempsey,’ ' would provide Canterbury with numerous bowling options. One of the more diffi« cult decisions for Messrs Andrews, Lyn Sparks and Wayne Wilson is to separate the left-armers, Chris Flanagan and Steve McNally. The selectors have to choose between Flanagan’s better batting and fielting skills and

McNally’s accuracy and experience. Flanagan perhaps has greater appeal in limited-over matches. The identity of the wicket-keeper is even more intriguing. Barry Ward is .the incumbent, Paul Rutledge the perennial challenger, Lee Germon the young, pretender, and David; Bond at longest odds though probably a more accomplished batsman than all his rivals. Another photo finish might be that between Justin Boyle and Blair Hartland to partner Dempsey at the top of the batting order. Boyle’s share in a 64-run stand against Wellington gave him the inside running, but Hartland got back Into the race with a fine club and provincial double last week-end. The Canterbury team could be.— David Dempsey (captain), Justin Boyle, David Boyle, Paul McEwan, Max Bremner, Mark Priest, David Hartshorn, . Chris Flanagan, Michael Holding, Barry Ward, Andrew Hintz, Bill Lawrence.