NEW ZEALANDERS AT LEEDS

Chronicle (Levin), 10 June 1949, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS AT LEEDS

Received Thursday, 7 p.m. LOXDON, June 9. Sunshine — a good omen? — greeted the New Zealandcrs when they arrived at Leeds after an eight-hour train journey from Cardiff. As soon as they had tea the selectors, Hadlee, Wallace and Donnellv, visited the criclcet ground where. the first Test will begin on Saturday, and inspeeted.the wicket. With no rain having fallen for five days, they found it hard, fast and "naturab" That is to say it has been prepared with verv little "-treatment" and with the intention that a flnish to the match may be reached in three days. Every member of the team will practice on Thursday morning and the twelve names from which the Test team- will be selected, are expected to be announeed about 3.30 p.m. the same day. There will be another practice on Friday. A theory that those wjio won't plav in the Test may be' Reid, Smith, Burke and Hayes, may be upset, firstly, bv Smith having struek batting form anff scored 200 r^ns 'in his last three inings; secondlv, by Ihe possibility that a hard fast wicket may suit Burke rather than Cresswell. It may be that the selectors will piek Smith for hk ■ batting and relv in Cowie, Cave, Burtt and Rabone for bowling with Reid a* twelr'th man and Cresswell, Burke and Haves "on the bank. " The team will be given a civic luncheon by the I.ord Mayor of Leed • on Friday and will be the guests of thr Yorkshire Cricket Society on Monday.