Date-stamped : 08 Jan97 - 16:48 27 December 1996 Dykes Expects Hot Contest For Test Positions AUCKLAND -- National cricket selection panel chairman Ross Dykes is looking forward to hot competition for places in the New Zealand team for the first test against England at Eden Park, starting on January 24. Dykes said this week that he and fellow selectors Mike Shrimpton and Rick Pickard, with input from national coach Steve Rixon, would have to measure the form shown by the New Zealanders in Pakistan against strong displays by several players in the home Shell Trophy and Cup matches. "We will have to use moderation in that judgment," Dykes said. "We picked what we thought were the best players in New Zealand last October for the Pakistan tour. Maybe some of them lost form, but that does not mean they suddenly become poor players. "Still, recent matches have shown we could have weaknesses in certain areas. "The opening batting question would be high on the list. We must also continue to look at the slow bowling situation." Dykes identified continuing injury problems among the seam bowlers as also important. "We are not likely to get through the season with the same four medium-fast bowlers, so we will need to build up a pool of support bowlers. "Fortunately, bowlers such as Robert Kennedy, David Sewell, and Shane O'Connor, of Otago, Andrew Penn, of Central Districts, and Chris Brown, of Auckland, have bowled really well. "They might not be at international level yet, but they are certainly good enough to look at in trial matches." Dykes said he was heartened by the runs coming from Phil Chandler, Blair Pocock, Craig McMillan, Darrin Murray, and Michael Parlane in the Shell matches. "One good thing was that these batsmen did not just stop at 100. At least three of them went on to really big scores." The home players had been helped by playing on, with few exceptions, very good pitches. "The Basin Reserve pitch was excellent, the one at Lancaster Park possibly too good for batting." The selectors will watch Shell Cup games during the holidays, paying special attention to those who have been affected by injury. Dykes said he was also pleased by the news that New Zealand bowlers Danny Morrison and Chris Pringle were unaffected by their recent injuries in the North Harbour match against Auckland-Manukau. Dykes said Pocock, who withdrew from the Pakistan tour because his shoulder injury was still a problem, was now moving much more freely. Mark Haslam and Gavin Larsen, who left the New Zealand touring side with injuries, had recovered and were playing well. The selectors and Rixon will meet in Wellington on January 5 and make plans for choosing the President's XI, which plays a four-day match against England in Palmerston North from January 13 to 16. "By then we will know the Shell Cup semi-finalists and we will take that into account in the choice of the President's XI." -- NZPA Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)