Some M.C.C. Tourists May Play For England

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 13

Some M.C.C. Tourists May Play For England

rpHE M.C.C. team which re- ■* cently toured New Zealand came with a two-fold purpose—to give New Zealand a full-scale tour by a strong side which could help rekindle an interest in cricket, and to try out some of the younger, promising English cricketers with an eye to the coming Australian tour. At least six of the M.C.C players, R. M. Prideaux, D E. V. Padgett, R. W Barber. D. A. Allen, J. M. Parks, and J. T. Murray, must have claims for consideration for the test teams against Australia this year. Parks is a wicket-keeper-batsman, with an emphasis on the batsman, and as England has never been able to find a good understudy to T. G. Evans, it seemed that he only had to improve his wicket-keeping to make his place certain. But the Middlesex wicket-keeper, J. T. Murray, made such an advance during the tour that the selection of Parks for the third test against New Zealand was only made after considerable thought Three spin bowlers were included in the M.C.C. team, D. A. Allen, R. W Barber,

and D. Wilson. For a lefthand spinner from Yorkshire, Wilson was disappointing. He rarely spun from leg and although accurate, he never looked the type of bowler to take over the mantle of G. A. R. Lock. Allen and Barber both had their moments of success, Allen particularly so against the second-class teams. Allen has an impressive record in county cricket and already has been spoken of as the successor to J. C. Laker as England's off - spinner. Whether the rough treatment Allen received from New Zealand batsmen in two of the tests will have changed that view will be known soon. Possibly the English cricket selectors may have some suspicions of an off-spinner who can be hit with confidence by New Zealand’s middle order batsmen. Barber has all the potential of an accomplished legspinner. He spins the ball sharply from leg, he has a googlie and top-spinner, but at the moment he is inclined to bowl too many loose balls. If he can tighten up he could well gain a test place, although leg-spinners have seldom played a major part in tests in England. Of the other bowlers Sayer and Smith looked no better than good county bowlers

and barter, although taking many wickets at low cost, does not at this stage impress as an international fast bowler. Padgett and Prideaux looked the most likely of the batsmen to be near English selection. Prideaux in the early part of the tour was rich In promise and runs. M. C. Cowdrey has signified often he does not like opening the innings. If Prideaux can display the form of his New Zealand tour in county cricket he could open for England against Australia. Padgett undoubtedly is a cricketer of ability but it is unlikely he will be able to challenge May, Cowdrey, Dexter, Barrington or M. J. K. Smith for a place in the English team. W. E. Russell and W. J. Stewart did nothing to further their claims for higher honours and at 41 W. Watson is unlikely to be recalled to an English team.

Parks, because of his batting, could find a place even if not as wicket-keeper. In an arbitrary selection, only Prideaux, Parks, Barber and Allen could hope to be among those in the tests against Australia this year, with Murray coming close if a specialist - wicket-keeper is chosen.