Coach stops Dyer apology

Press, 28 December 1987, Page 1

Coach stops Dyer apology

By

DAVID LEGGAT

of NZPA in Melbourne New Zealand’s cricket manager, Alby Duckmanton, said the Australian wicketkeeper, Greg Dyer, “must live with his conscience for the rest of his life” after his controversial catch on Saturday, the first day of the third cricket test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Mr Duckmanton issued an official statement last evening from the New Zealand camp after a day of conflicting reports on where the two teams stood on Dyer’s catch off Andrew Jones in the first innings. He said he would make no specific comment on the incident The statement said that Dyer had told Australia’s cricket coach, Bob Simpson, that he wanted to make an apology to the New Zealand team at the end of play on Saturday. “Simpson suggested to Dyer it was not an appropriate time to do so, that he (Simpson) would talk to the New Zealand camp in the morning. Mr Duckmanton said he had told Mr Simpson that he was prepared to let the matter die and had told the New Zealand team of his discussions. “I said what has happened in the past is history, we were looking forward to today, adding that Dyer has to live with his conscience for the rest of his life and in no way could I blame the umpires.” Mr Duckmanton said he agreed to have a statement made by the Australian manager, lan McDonald, under certain conditions. “That Dyer was prepared to make an apology as conveyed by Simpson to me; that I wanted the incident and further discussion to die, as we had four more days to play in the test “The statement that came out on television was incorrect and not consistent with Simpson’s remarks to me. “No way can I accept that Dyer did not know he had not made a fair catch and wanted to make an apology after seeing the TV replay. “This is inconsistent to his remarks made to Simpson,” Mr Duckmanton said. Hadlee’s bag, back page.