PM Transcripts

E 0 E PROOF ONLY
TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP PARLIAMENT HOUSE 22 DECEMBER 1986
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, can we talk to you for a moment or
two about the cricket?
PM: Why not?
JOURNALIST: All the fortunes for a great day tomorrow.
PM: Yes indeed.
JOURNALIST: And we should be flattered I guess that the English
have picked something like a full strength side?
PM: well, that is not entirely an accident. I told them they
would be deported if they didn't.
JOURNALIST: And we gather that a bit of Prime ministerial muscle
has been brought to bear in the selection of Ian Botham tomorrow?
PM: Well, I just told Ian that I am sure he enjoyed his time out
here and that if he wanted to stay for the remainder of the tour
that he and the selectors had better make sure he was playing and
they have done that. But seriously I am very glad that Ian and
David Gower and Mike Gatting are playing because this is a very
important match for many reasons. Important for all the young
fellows that I have chosen. They want to feel that they are
playing against the best side. It is important for Australian
cricket that we have the opportunity of seeing whether these
young fellows have got what it takes. I am sure they have. It is
just a question of whether they show it tomorrow. And also from
the Englishmen's point of view in the lead up to the next test it
is important for them. And then finally and very importantly for
the people of the ACT and this region it has become a very
important fixture. we have been fortunate for the first two games
in 84 and 85 with the West Indies. We had two great games there.
Unfortunately the last one against New Zealand was washed out and
so I was very keen that this be a good game so that the people
who did miss out last time get their moneys worth in 1986.
JOURNALIST: The weather looks absolutely superb.
PM: It is working out great.
JOURNALIST: We do hear that ticket sales are a wee bit-down.
Any message for employers tomorrow?
PM: I am sure it should be a full house by the time it starts
tomorrow.
ENDS