Century Touring XI Did Not Seek

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 6

Century Touring XI Did Not Seek

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CANTERBURY. W. M. Lawry’s 1968 Australians on Saturday achieved a century that no other touring cricket team will envy. When rain and bad light ended the opening days’ play of the match against Kent 75 minutes early, they had lost more than 100 hours of playing time on the English tour.

This Is the equivalent of nearly 17 full days—the most weather-ravaged tour In i memory.

The Australians begrudged losing that final 75 minutes on Saturday because they had England’s second - ranking county team, Kent, on the run. The Australian bowlers had dismissed Kent for 210 and A. N. Connolly had the satisfaction of removing the England skipper, M. C. Cowdrey, for 17. Then Lawry and R. J. Jnverarity put on 14 runs before play was halted. As a fifth test dressrehearsal, the Australian bowlers were in splendid form today. Only an adventurous, hit-or-miss innings by J. Shepherd, that yielded 84 runs, kept the Australian attack at bay for any length of time.

KENT First Innings M. Denness lbw b McKenzie 2 B. Luckhurst c Chappell b Connolly .. 21 A. Iqbal c Taber b Freeman 0 C. Cowdrey lbw b Connolly 17 J. Shepherd c Chappell b Freeman 34 A. Knott c Taber b Freeman 18 S. Leary lbw b Gleeson .. 39 D. Underwood b Gleeson 8 A. Dixon c Taber b Gleeson 6 A. Brown not out g N. Graham st Taber b Gleeson 0 Extras (3 leg-byes, 4 noballs) 7 Total 210 Fall of wickets: One for 3 two for 8, three for 38, four for 51 five for 112, six for 165, seven for 186, eight for 194, nine for 204. 70 Minutes Lost Rain also ruined the finish of the Australians match against the President’s XI on Friday. It began 70 minutes after lunch and there was no further play. Scores: Australia 222 and 140/8 (P. A. Sheahan 54 not out; J. Birkenshaw 5/50) President’s XI 195/4 dec.