da dobrowin： The England selectors announced this morning their squad for the Test series with New Zealand,but there was no place in the 16-man party for Glamorgan off-spinner Robert Croft
Andrew Hignell03-Jan-2002The England selectors announced this morning their squad for the Test series with New Zealand,but there was no place in the 16-man party for Glamorgan off-spinner Robert Croft.In announcing the party David Graveney, the Chairman of Selectorsconfirmed that Robert was still in their thoughts, and intimated that if a third spinner hadbeen required, the Welshman may well have got the nod.”Robert`s performances, particularly overseas, have been very good, and he is very muchpart of the future.”These were the sentiments in a phone call last night between Robert and the Chairman ofSelectors. “When players aren’t involved,” Croft said, “all they want to know is why andwhen, and if not, when can they come back. David said the door wasn’t closed and I firmlybelieve that. The main aim for me now is to play well for Glamorgan and to get some silverwareon the table.”In naming the 16-man party, the selectors kept faith with Richard Dawson and Ashley Giles asthe spin bowlers, but they did not call-up Martyn Ball, the Gloucestershire off-spinner,who had been summoned as a late replacement when Robert Croft and Andy Caddick decided not totour.Croft has no regrets about deciding not to tour India- “I don`t think regrets work in sport,”Croft added, ” and this time round I felt for my family’s sake it wasn’t a risk I could take.I’m just over the moon that the players have come back from India safe and well – and havingplayed some good cricket, especially in the last two Tests.””If you’re big enough to take the pats on the back, you’ve got to take a few on the chin nowand again. I’ve taken a few along my career but I’m not asking for pity at all. It’s a case ofknuckling down now, playing hard for Glamorgan and showing everybody what I can do.”