SOBERS IN FORM

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32005, 4 June 1969, Page 15

SOBERS IN FORM

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON. The West Indians, admirably led by G. S. Sobers, gave a sound batting display to gain a first innings lead of 85 runs over the M.C.C. yesterday. The tourists were dismissed for 285 at the close of of the second day’s play in their three-day match. Sobers scored his first halfcentury of the tour and went on to make 74. His batting was a class above anything else seen all day. He started feverishly with 10 runs in an over from the fast bowler, J. Snow, and settled down to play a highly responsible innings which included 12 fours, some of them superbly hit drives. He was last out after a stay of two hours and a half.

The touring team got its best start for a month, 78 for the opening stand between S. G. Camacho and R. A. Fredericks. C. Davis made 57 without looking a test match No.

3, although his bright stroke play, which brought him a six and six fours, might bring him runs lower down in the order. Scores:— M.C.C. First Innings 200 WEST INDIES First Innings R. A. Fredericks c Cottam b Wilson .. 351 S. G. Comacho c Prideaux b Birkenshaw .. 39 B. F. Butcher lbw b D’Oliveria .. 271 C. A. Lloyd b Snow 0! C. Davis c Taylor b Snow 57 | G. S. Sobers b Cottam 74 J. N. Shepherd c Wilson b Snow 20 ‘ T. M. Findlay run out ... 141 V. A. Holder b Cottam . 2 L. R. Gibbs c Wilson b Cottam 0 P, Blair not out 0 Extras (byes 8, leg-byes 7, no-balls 2) ..17

Total .. 285 Fall of wickets: one for 78, two for 100, three for 145, four for 145, five for 198, six fOr 233, seven for 271, eight for 280, nine for 282.

Bowling: Snow, 29, 12, 70, 3; Cottam, 25.4, 8, 56. 3: Wilson, 33, 10, 67, 1; D’Oliveria> 19, 6, 33, 1; Birkenshaw, 14, 4, 42, 1.