Cricket: Test recall on cards for Twose

By RICHARD BOOCK

New Zealand World Cup star Roger Twose is poised for a recall to test cricket under the selectorship of Sir Richard Hadlee.

Twose, a 32-year left-hander, had been unavailable for the test squad since last year, when he decided to specialise as a one-day player.

But he has now been pencilled into Hadlee's short-list of batting reserves for the upcoming series against South Africa, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

As Twose headed for Australia this morning with the balance of the Singapore-bound New Zealand one-day side, Hadlee was departing for India with the New Zealand Academy squad, and a slightly enlarged list of prospective test candidates.

"Roger indicated to me that he could be available for tests," Hadlee said yesterday.

"We've only discussed it briefly but from my point of view, he would be an option if there was a major injury or a chronic loss of form.

"He definitely left the door open on the question of a return.

"As a selection panel, we've been measuring our playing resources very carefully over the past week, and Roger was one of several cricketers we identified who could have more to offer at the top level," Hadlee said.

He suggested that former New Zealand representatives Matt Hart, Andrew Penn, Kerry Walmsley and Simon Doull might still have international futures.

Young Cantabrian Michael Papps had potential as a wicketkeeper-batsman, and, in the broader sense, there was still time for Jeff Wilson to launch a comeback.

Wilson, who is also a much-capped New Zealand rugby representative who jointly holds the record for the most test tries with Christian Cullen, stepped out of the international sporting arena earlier this year.

"Jeff has told us that if and when he plays cricket again, he'll play with full intensity and commitment, so I wouldn't rule anything out there," Hadlee said.

"He's a wildcard. It could take him months to come back, it could be years.

"But when he's ready, we'll certainly be there taking notice."

The panel had been impressed by Papps, who went to England with the New Zealand A side as a batsman, ended up taking the gloves when Martyn Croy was injured, and demonstrated excellent hands and mobility behind the stumps.

While Adam Parore remained New Zealand's No 1 wicketkeeper in terms of glovework, Hadlee said Chris Nevin was still an unknown quantity, Croy had injury problems, and the No. 2 spot was still up for grabs.

"We liked what we saw of Papps and feel he should be developed more as a wicketkeeper-batsman," Hadlee said.

"He seems to have the ability and he took his chances well in England."

As far as the test team's batting order was concerned, the panel were less well off in terms of experienced back-up, and they were encouraged by Twose's positive response when they "tested the water" this week.

First selected to play for New Zealand in 1995, Twose made his test and one-day international debut while touring India.

However, he struggled under the Glenn Turner regime, and declared himself unavailable in the summer of 1997-1998.

His recall the following season was something of a surprise, and although he repaid the selectors by helping to save the third test against India, he managed to average just 17.45 in his next seven tests, including a nightmarish run against England.

On the other hand, the Devon-born Twose has proved one of New Zealand's most consistent batsmen in the shorter game.

He has scored 1810 runs in 61 one-day internationals, at an average of 37.70, including 14 half-centuries and a top score of 97.