Wright hits 164

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 28

Wright hits 164

NZPA-Reuter Chesterfield

The Pakistani cricketers, eager to get some bowling practice, had more than they bargained for as Derbyshire romped 333 for three declared on the opening day of their three-day match yesterday. The New Zealand opening batsman, John Wright, and Alan Hill put on 156 for the first wicket, with Wright going on to make 164 before he was finally dismissed by the spinner, Abdul Qadir. At the close the Pakistanis had replied with 28 for no wicket, with Sadiq Mohammad on 19 and Mudassar Nazar on nine, both having been dropped in the slips.

>. i Wright and Hill were in • superb form before lunch, • Wright completing his half ; century in the twenty-eighth over as Derbyshire reached

139 without loss at the interval.

The Pakistani bowlers struggled in vain on an easy-paced pitch, but in the afternoon they tightened up considerably and Derbyshire began to struggle. Hill was caught behind by the wicketkeeper, Masood Iqbal, off Aamer Hameed for 58 and, with Wright struggling to recapture his pre-lunch form, it was left to the South African, Peter Kirsten, to accelerate the run rate.

His fluent shots inspired Wright and the pair added 100 in 25 overs before Kirsten was caught by Javed Miandad off Wasim Raja for 58 with the score at 268.