Dashing Batting By Old Collegians

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31577, 15 January 1968, Page 7

Dashing Batting By Old Collegians

Splendidly aggressive batting by two young players, M. C. Bidwell and D. A. Pickering, gave Old Collegians a first in* mngs lead of 31 runs over Sydenham at Sydenham Park. Coming together in a tricky situation when Old Collegians had lost two wickets for 20 runs. Bidwell and Pickering scored 133 runs in 83 minutes for the third wicket. Such was their mastery of the bowling at the latter part of their partnership that the last 50 runs came in only 20 minutes. Bidwell was the more aggressive. His 76 was scored in S 3 minutes, and included one six and 12 fours. His cutting and pulling was used most effectively against bowling rather short of a length, and he used the lofted drive with certainty and discretion. Pickering, while not as assertive as Bidwell, batted most competently and played some attractive shots off the back foot.

Some lusty hitting by N. H. Lindo ensured Old Collegians of a first innings lead and a

useful margin ahead of Sydenham’s first innings score of 178,

D. L. Gallop bowled well for Svdenham after some rather exploratory opening overs. Salt did not receive his usual respect, and the opening bowlers, A. Walshe and P. O. McKenzie, while quite effective with the new ball, were not nearly so dangerous later In the innings. A patient and sound innings of 60 by Gallop—his best score for some time—saved Sydenham from an embarrassingly low score. Gallop batted for 158 watchful minutes. He defended soundly for the most part, but Sounced on anything loose to it 10 fours. I. R. Hartland and R. L. Thomas made useful contributions and added 28 valuable runs for the last wicket. The off-spinner, N. G. Clark, had the very good bowling figures of six for 40 off 23 overs. Calrk’s clever flight and slight turn imprisoned most of the batsmen, who were reluctant to use their feet to him.

The umpires are Messrs T. Mathie and J. Streeter.