Bowlers supreme

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 34

Bowlers supreme

PA Auckland The unequal struggle ol batsmen against fast bowiers on a helpful pitch was mercifully short in the world Series Cricket match at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday. After 20min the Australians’ second innings had been finished at 196. After another 134 min the World XI, which needed 253 to win, had been bundled back into their dressing room by Dennis Lillee and Max Walker for only 85. Thus the Australians were; 167 runs, and $3OOO in prize money, to the good. Then came the post mor-; terns, for W.S.C. players are! nothing if not professional ; and they want answers to their questions. The pitch was put under; the microscope. lan Chappell, the Australians’ captain, said the dents caused when the pitch was fairly soft (by Australian standards) on the first day had caused the ball to nip about awkwardly, especially when Lillee—who took five more wickets at bargain rates ■ was bowling like an avalanche. ! Bob Woolmer, of England, suggested that Lillee had [bowled him with a fast leg [break and Tony Greig was not able to come down from such a lofty height to stop a scuttier from Walker. It may have been an unequal battle, and bowlers of

the class of Lillee, Walker and Richard Hadlee made it even more unequal. Tumbing wickets also < meant tumbling profits for . the promoters of the match. ! The gate takings for the three days were estimated at about $14,000. The daily ! break-even rate throughout . the seven matches in the ! North Island is believed to - ' be about $BOOO. i!

In an effort to trim the losses the scheduled fourth day today will have a limit-ed-over match between the Australians and the World XI, for a stake of $lOOO. Scores.— Australians 184 and 196 (G. Chappell 89, R. Marsh 48; R. Hadlee 5/26, A. Padmore 2/10, J. Snow 2/35) beat World XI 128 and 85 (R. Hadlee 21; Lillee 5/30, Walker 4/34).