O’NEILL OUT FOR 74 Simpson’s XI Has Decisive Victory In “Bushfire Test”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31341, 11 April 1967, Page 23

O’NEILL OUT FOR 74 Simpson’s XI Has Decisive Victory In “Bushfire Test”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

MELBOURNE.

R. Simpson’s South African tourists decisively beat L. Favell’s team which toured New Zealand, in the “Bushfire test” in spite of fine innings by the two retiring test players.

Simpson’s XI won by seven wickets, with 22 minutes to spare. During the four-day match it had proved the stronger side and vindicated the selectors who sent it to South Africa as Australia’s premier team.

But N. O’Neill and P. Philpott, two members of Favell’s team who are retiring from first-class cricket, almost saved the match yesterday.

Favell’s XI began at four for 165 and needing a further 12 runs to force Simpson’s team to bat again.

O’Neill, who began the day 50 not out, had the crowd cheering every shot he played. He was out to the new ball for 74.

got regrets already,” said O’Neill as he took off his pads in the dressing room. He retired because of growths on the knees which doctors say could cripple him if he continued to play first class cricket. Philpott, in one of his best innings, was most unlucky to miss his century. He ran out of partners when on 90, and was out to a brilliant catch as he threw caution to the winds with the last man in. Set 125 runs to make in 158 minutes, Simpson’s XI had to score briskly to win. When the first three wickets fell for only 62 runs, it looked

as though Favell’s side might snatch a draw.

Simpson was out cheaply for the second time in the match —caught in front for six by a ball that kept low. Lawry and Walters batted brightly until Lawry was brilliantly run out by P. Sheahan. Then Walters fell, caught by Favell off Philpott. But I. Redpath and R. Cowper knocked up the remaining 63 runs for victory without further loss, at a run a minute.

Around 40,000 people attended the match which was held to help the Tasmanian bushfire fund appeal.

“Well, that’s it, and I’ve