Cricket trad and mod
Sir: Though my theological persuasion is that which would normally be called 'fundamentalist' and is thus far away from the movement to- wards unity with the Anglican church, I had almost sooner side with the Rev Gordon Wilson on every one of his thirty-nine articles than in his outburst of literary hooliganism about Brian Close (Letters, 22 March).
What misplaced Northern patriotism or open- handed 'Love Thy Neighbour' mentality can have caused a man one assumes is so learned to divest himself of reason's raiment and draw a thick red line through common sense?
Let it be stated once and for all—myriads of bigoted Yorkshiremen permitting—that Cow- drey is the best English cricket captain avail- able at the moment. The decision is as clear-cut as the eternal gulf between right and wrong. The MCC ought to be applauded, not only for their decision, but for the way they bore the brunt of initial uproar by the aforementioned hot-tempered North-countrymen (not, Mr Wil- son, the weight of public opinion). Even had the series in the West Indies been the debacle prophesied by those same disgruntled Yorkshire- men, I would still be convinced the MCC were right and Close could not have done better.
Contrary to days of old, Cowdrey's baaing has not suffered under the weight of captaincy. Rather has it been enhanced.
The reasons are elementary, my dear Wilson. Close is not an infallible fielder. He is not in the same class as one of his predecessors, Mike Smith, now retired, in this respect. Cowdrey's test batting average—and over a much longer period—is twice that of Close. As for bowling: Even the mighty Sobers has been humiliated on his own green fields. I am not unkind enough to wish that Close had gone on tour just so his own supporters could be proved wrong.
Even if there were some mystical guarantee that Close would have held every catch that came his way. what is the use of a superb fields- man who bowls and bats like a five year old?
These are facts. By inference Mr Wilson must have been suggesting that England should have taken the equivalent of a 'non-playing' captain on tour. England's name is a laughing- stock in enough quarters without adding to the dishonour.
Mr Wilson recalls Close's innings of seventy- odd in the second Test in 1963. My memory outreaches that to 1961 in the second innings of the fourth Test against Australia. Close scored eight, made up of a violent six, a hit- or-miss strike for two, and a mere half-dozen other strokes of utter irresponsibility before he got out. that was at a time England were in need of solidarity after a good start, a few wickets had tumbled—circumstances similar to those in which Cowdrey recently excelled in the fourth Test—and yet Close was unequal.
At risk of being a voice crying in the wilder- ness, a sheep among wolves, a Daniel in the lion's den, I claim I am proud to be proud of Cowdrey. Though onznes ad unum the North is embittered against me, I shall be unrepentant.
Australia are with us this year and we will be fighting to regain the Ashes after nine years. Under Cowdrey we can win.
Cricket memories die hard. For many a year to come contests between England and our friends from the Caribbean will be also known as the Ashes .. . the ashes of Brian Close, whose fading fire finally went out in 1968.
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