Bitter feeling over loss

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 60

Bitter feeling over loss

PA Auckland John Guy is almost certain to turn his back on New Zealand cricket following his replacement on the national selection panel by Bob Cunis. Mr Guy, aged 52, said he was disappointed at the way he had been overlooked and was especially bitter at the way in which he had learned of the news. “When faced with the unsavoury task of telling a player he has missed a

place in the test side and will be twelfth man, it is accepted that as a courtesy the convener of the selection panel in home teste or team manager or captain when overseas, tells the player,” he said. “I would have expected the chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Bob Vance, would have extended the same courtesy to me.” Instead, Mr Guy was told by the Hamilton council member, Barry Paterson.

Mr Guy, who was on the panel during one of New Zealand cricket’s golden eras, said he had already spoken to the convener, Don Neely, and been given an assurance that he was in no way dissatisfied with Mr Guy’s efforts as the New Zealand team won four out of five series at home, beat England and Australia away and drew with the West Indies. “I feel something other than cricketing reasons are behind it,” said Mr Guy. “I had an inkling

something was up a couple of months ago and that the Auckland Association were behind the call to get rid of me.” Auckland nominated Mr Cunis. Mr Guy’s time on the national panel followed eight years of doing the same job during a successful period for the Northern Districts team. Before that he had played at all levels since his first senior representative game, in Nelson, as a 16-year-old. He played 12 teste for New Zealand.