Date-stamped : 09 Apr97 - 10:22
9 April 1997

Priest Not Certain On His Future

New Zealand cricket's second longest-serving first-class
cricketer Mark Priest is undecided on whether he will play
another season.

"The end of a season is not the time to be making a decision.

"I've just hung the bag up in the garage," Priest said yesterday.

Unlike many first-class cricketers in this country, Priest has to
juggle his work as an electrician, his considerable Shell series
cricket commitments and the demands of a young family.

The ever-testing left-arm spinner said he, at times, had to work
before or after play during the season.

"It is a struggle to keep the business going for the better part
of six months."

Priest said time was a major factor in his decision and he would
wait to see next season's fixture list. This time players had not
only the Shell Trophy and cup competitions but also the Cricket
Max championship.

Priest, 35, second only to New Zealand slow bowler Dipak Patel in
the ranks of senior cricketing citizens, said the incentive of a
Canterbury wicket-taking record would not necessarily motivate
him to carry on.

"I don't really play for that and besides it could take a couple
of seasons."


Second to Hadlee

After Priest took 41 wickets during the last season he lifted his
career haul for Canterbury to 253 second only to Sir Richard
Hadlee on 285.

Priest said the only target he had aimed at was matching fellow
spinner Tom Burtt whose mark was 241.

Priest's also had a productive run return for Canterbury this
season with 357 runs at 44.62 which has lifted him to ninth on
the over-all batting list.

Having played for Canterbury since 1984-85, Priest would be a
worthy recipient of a benefit season following other
distinguished Canterbury cricket servants, Rod Latham (1992-93),
Paul McEwan (1988-89) and Hadlee (1989-90).

Also uncertain on their roles next season are coach Denis
Aberhart and selection panel convener Brian McKechnie, the two
integral components in Canterbury's Shell series successes in
recent seasons.

Aberhart, a primary school headmaster, also wants to assess next
season's programme before making a decision on whether to seek a
fifth season in the job.

McKechnie, who has been in charge for the last three seasons,
wants to make a decision by the end of this month.

"I've often thought three years is enough but if Denis and I both
went that would be two of the selectors gone. I don't know
whether that would be a good or a bad thing to start afresh."


Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz)

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