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NZC contract persuades Priest to keep playing

by Geoff Longley

18 August 1998


Canterbury and New Zealand cricket's longest-serving player, Mark Priest, will be back for another turn at the bowling crease this season.

Priest, 37 last week, was yesterday named in a 31-strong Black Caps squad picked to prepare for the 1999 World Cup and subsequent tour of England.

Priest said his decision to remain in the game for another year, after he had been contemplating retirement, had been influenced by NZC's decision to offer him a year-long contract.

``That was really what swayed me into staying on. It gives some financial security while I'm playing the game, not having to worry about lost work,'' said Priest, a self-employed electrician.

Priest is one of only four spin bowlers named in the squad, alongside Daniel Vettori, Paul Wiseman and Auckland newcomer Brooke Walker. Left-arm slow bowlers Matthew Hart and Mark Haslam, who were picked ahead of Priest in past years, have been overlooked.

Priest feels his inclusion is a back-up measure, as his recall was last summer when he was unexpectedly summoned from the wilderness to play a one-day game and test against Zimbabwe at Auckland, having previously last appeared for New Zealand in 1990.

``I'm just around in case somebody gets injured. I don't realistically envisage playing again for New Zealand.''

Priest was selected as one of three specialist spin bowlers on the tour to Sri Lanka, but was disappointed at how little bowling time he received.

Priest said his contract with NZC meant he was available for all cricket this summer. Last season as an uncontracted player he did not play at Shell Conference level.

Canterbury cricket will be pleased with the decision to again have Priest's wealth of experience spearheading its spin bowling resources.

Walker, a 21-year old leg spinner, gets an opportunity to develop alongside the established players after making an impact on his Shell Trophy debut when he took eight for 105 against Canterbury.

Walker finished with 20 wickets last season in first-class play at the highly respectable return of 18.65. Another newcomer to the top bracket is consistent Central Districts batsman Mathew Sinclair who has also kept wicket in one-day games. He averaged 42 from 12 matches last season.

The squad will gather in Christchurch on August 29 and 30 for skills and fitness work.

Squad:

Batsmen: Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Llorne Howell, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris (Canterbury), Matt Horne (Otago), Bryan Young, Mark Bailey (Northern Districts), Blair Pocock (Auckland), Matthew Bell (Wellington), Craig Spearman, Mathew Sinclair (Central Districts).

Bowlers: Shayne O'Connor, Paul Wiseman, David Sewell (Otago), Geoff Allott, Chris Cairns, Mark Priest (Canterbury), Chris Drum, Kerry Walmsley, Brooke Walker (Auckland), Dion Nash, Alex Tait, Simon Doull, Daniel Vettori (Northern Districts), Gavin Larsen, Robert Kennedy (Wellington), Andrew Penn (Central Districts).

Wicketkeepers: Adam Parore (Auckland), Robbie Hart (Northern Districts), Martyn Croy (Otago).


Source: The Christchurch Press
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Date-stamped : 07 Oct1998 - 04:24