South lost inter-island match by eight runs

Press, 21 December 1981, Page 19

South lost inter-island match by eight runs

PA Alexandra South narrowly failed in a gallant attempt to beat the North Island in the limited overs cricket match played at Molyneux Park, Alexandra, on Saturday. South was only eight runs short of the north’s total of 259 for 6, when Craig Thiele, the last batsman, was dismissed. There were still 13 balls remaining when Thiele foolishly tried to run a single after pushing a ball to cover from the second-last ball of Martin Sneddon’s ninth over.

Thiele was sent back by John Bracewell, the senior partner, and was run out in an anticlimax to an excellent day of cricket. Temperatures soared to 34 degrees, and batsmen from both sides thrived on the true easy-paced wicket.

South lost its first three wickets for 43, but there was then a tremendous revival, led by Bruce Blair, which almost salvaged victory for the southerners.

Blair and Wayne Hodgson

put on 82 for the fifth wicket in quick time, before Hodgson was run out by the length of the pitch, after a disastrous mix-up. Blair was splendidly caught a few runs later, but there was a stubborn partnership between the Bracewell brothers which kept the South hopes alive until Brendon lost his middle stump to Troup. Martin Crowe, the North opening batsman, who also took two excellent catches, was named man of the match.

Earlier, a magnificent opening partnership of 174 between Crowe and Trevor Franklin, both Aucklanders, enabled the North Island to compile a handsome total. Crowe and Franklin capitalised on an indifferent South bowling line-up to post 174 runs in 130 minutes. Both were dismissed when well set for their centuries, trying to score at an even faster rate.

Crowe was out in the thirty-seventh over, getting a top edge to an intended hook

shot and giving Steve Bateman an easy caught-and-bowled. Franklin followed six overs later, trying to force Bateman through the off-side, but succeeding only in giving an easy catch to Vaughan Brown at mid-off.

Crowe faced 117 balls to hit six fours, and Franklin struck nine fours and a six in facing 118 balls.

The North lost wickets regularly in the last 10 overs, in a charge for quick runs, although Barry Cooper managed to score 40 off 42 balls before lan Rutherford held a fine catch at mid-off. Brendon Bracewell was the sharpest of the South bowlers, although Bateman, who was the fifth bowler used, was the most successful.

NORTH ISLAND M. D. Crowe c b Bateman. 94 T. J. Franklin c Brown b Bateman 96 B. G. Cooper c Rutherford b B. Bracewell 40 B. L. Cairns c Lees b Bateman 2 J. F. Reid c Lees b B. Bracewell 1 G. P. Howarth c sub (Leg-

gat) b Bateman 14 J. V. Coney n o 3 I. D. Smith no. ...... 1. . 0 Extras 7 lb, 1 nb. Iw. . . 9 Total (for 6 wickets) 259 Fall of wickets: 174. 207: 213: 216- 248- 257 Bowling: B. P. Bracewell 10, 2. 49, 2. C. H. Thiele 7. 0. 35. 0. J. G. Bracewell 10, I. 46. 0. B. R. Blair 10, 0. 41. 0. S. M. Bateman 10. 0. 54, 4. D. A. Dempsey 3. 0, 25. 0.

SOUTH ISLAND D. A. Dempsey b Sneddon . 12 I. A. Rutherford * Coney b Sneddon 1 G. N. Edwards c Crowe b Roberts. . 22 V. R. Brown c Cairns b Troup 33 B. R. Blair c Cooper b Robertson 69 W. G. Hodgson run out . . . 49 W. K. Lees c Crowe b Cairns 12 J. G. Bracewell n.o 18 S. N. Bateman b Cairns. . . 0 B. P. Bracewell b Troup . . 16 C. H. Thiele run out 1 Extras (lb, 131 b, 3nb, Iw) 18

Total 251 Fall of Wickets: 13. 14, 43, 104, 186. 201. 217, 218, 246.

Bowling: G. B. Troup 9,0, 43, 2. M. C. Sneddon 8.5. 2, 31. 2. G. K. Robertson 10,1 51. 2. B. L. Cairns 10, 49, 2. J. V. Coney 5. 0. 27, 0. M. D. Crowe 5, 0. 32, 0.