MAGNIFICENT 143 HIT BY HASTINGS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30367, 17 February 1964, Page 14

MAGNIFICENT 143 HIT BY HASTINGS

W. A. Hadlee’s decision to •end West ChristolMirch-Univer-•ity in after he had won the toss seemed reasonable when G. A. Bartlett was out early. M. Henderson showed the bowlers such respect that after 80 minutes he had scored but a single; Hastings, however, was in top gear immediately—almost, it seemed, in an automatic drive, so free and fluent was his stroke production from his opening overs. While Henderson clung on adhesively, 88 was added for the second wicket, with the runs flowing so sweetly from Hastings's bat that he was at 50 within the hour. Magnificent drives sent the ball skimming to the boundary, and often from the back foot he crashed it away with the precision and power of a fine batsman at the top of liis bent. J. L. Williams, again batting most attractively, helped Hastings score 95 for the third wicket in only 52 minutes, and Hastings reached his century in 110 minutes. In all, he batted 157 minutes and hit 19 fours, a delightful exhibition. B. H. Hopkins, making a welcome return to the side, made • useful contribution, but A. T. Waters contributed most of the remainder. Although he has an unimpressive senior record. Waters showed that he needed only confidence; he revealed an impressive technique. His left-handed driving was most attractive in an innings lasting almost two hours. Slow Reward On an unresponsive pitch, the Old Boys’ bowlers toiled without much prospect of immediate reward. Until the day was well advanced, the only chance dropped was by C. J. Stevens,

who made a great effort to hold Hastings on the run. G. A. Bartlett bowled some fast overs when Old Boys batted, but D. Hill attracted particular attention with some fine, fluent batting. The umpires are Messrs J. Streeter and R. V. Taylor. Scores:— WEST CHRISTCHURCHUNIVERSITY First Innings G. A. Bartlett, b Hicks .. 6 M. Henderson, lbw, b Barberel .. ..10 B. F. Hastings, b Duncan .. 143 J. L. Williams, lbw, b Ryan 30 A. T. Waters, b Barberel .. 76 B. H. Hopkins, c W. A. Hadlee, b Duncan .. 28 J. M. McEwan, c sub, b Hicks .. .. 8 A C. Timpson, c Jones, b Barberel .. .. 0 P. A. Sharp, b Ryan .. 3 R. K. Allen, lbw, b Barberel .8 L D. Hounsell, not out .. 0 Extras (wides 2, byes 8, leg byes 7, no bails 8) 25 Total .. ..330 Bowling.—W. M. Duncan, 21, 6. 67, 2; D. H. Hicks, 22, 3, 94, 2; B. A. Bolton, 17, 3, 47, 0; M. L. Ryan, 17, 4, 55, 2; W. R. Barberel, 12.1, 2. 30, 4; D. Hill. 1. 0. 12, 0. OLD BOYS First Innings D. Hill, not out .. ..28 B. A. Bolton, c Allen, b Bartlett . . .. .. 10 C. J. Stevens, c and b Timpson .. ..16 M. L. Ryan, not out .. 2 Extras (byes 8, no balls 8) .. ..14 Total for two wickeis 70 Bowling.—G. A. Bartlett, 9,1, 29. 1; J. M. McEwan, 5,1, 18 0; A. C.. Timpson, 5,2. 4,1; I. D. Hounsell, 4,3, 5,0; P. A. Sharp 2,2, 0, 0.