Cricket NATAL FORCES DRAW

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28446, 28 November 1957, Page 6

Cricket NATAL FORCES DRAW

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) DURBAN, November 26.

Rain robbed Australia of its fifth successive win of the South African tour today when Natal, needing 222 runs to avoid an innings defeat, held on in an exciting finish to reach the required total in the last over of the match, with two wickets still intact, to force a draw. Benaud put up a grand performance, almost swinging the game Australia’s way. In a four-hour spell, during which he bowled thirty-two overs unchanged, he took six for 88, giving him match figures of thirteen wickets for 134 runs. The Australians, after declaring at tea yesterday with 369 for six, were unable to play between tea and stumps because of rain, while half an hour was lost this morning because of wet approaches to the wicket. Scores: — AUSTRALIA First Innings, for six, dec 369 NATAL First Innings .. .. .. 147 Second Innings McGlew, c and b Benaud .. 19 Goddard, b Davidson .. ..14 Keith, c Kline, b Benaud .. 41 Koch, st Grout, b Benaud .. 40 McLean, c Davidson, b Benaud 35 Burger, not out .. .. 42 Watkins, c Davidson, b Benaud 4 Jerome, c and b Benaud .. 4 Randles, lbw. b Drennan .. 25 Dodds, not out .. .. 9 Extras ■ ■ •. • • 5 Total for eight wickets .. 238

Bowling O. M. R. W. Davidson .. 10 1 45 1 Drennan .. 8 1 38 1 Benaud .. 32 12 88 6 Kline .. 19 6 45 0 Mackay ..5 1 12 0 Burke .. 1 0 5.0