England’s stylish win

Press, 4 December 1979, Page 32

England’s stylish win

NZPA Hobart ' The touring English cricketers go into their match against South Australia at Adelaide today looking for their second outright victory of the present tour. Their first outright victory came in convincing style at , Hobart on Sunday when they defeated Tasmania by 100 I runs, Derek Underwood finishing the match with the combined figures of ten for 77 off 45.4 overs. The English captain for the match, Bob Willis, described Underwood’s figures and performance in the match as incredible. “I would rate him as the

best bowler of this (spin) type produced by England since the war,” Willis said. England closed at 214 for three in its first innings and Tasmania 71 for three — England declared at 135 for one in its second innings giving Tasmania 279 to win in 240 minutes. For Tasmania Robbie Knight scored a brilliant 74 in 104 minutes including nine fours and one six. When he did go out, he had scored all but 13 of the Tasmanian second innings total.

But the Tasmanian selectors later ommitted him from the state line up to play Queensland next week. Brian Davison closed Tas-

mania’s first innings at 71 for three in reply to England’s three for 214 declared, helping to keep alive the wea-ther-shortened game. Bob Willis closed his second innings just 10 minutes before lunch at 135 for one, leaving Tasmania 279 runs to win in 240 minutes. Tasmania was spun out by Derek Underwood and Geoff Miller for 178 with two balls remaining, giving England a win by 100 runs. England provided the Tasmanian crowds with some exciting batting with Geoff Boycott’s unconquered 101 on Friday, and Graham Gooch’s 70 in 111 minutes on Sunday.