Hadlee again ‘carries’ Canterbury

Press, 13 January 1982, Page 34

Hadlee again ‘carries’ Canterbury

PA Palmerston North Plav in the Shell Trophy series’cricket match between Canterbury and Central Districts in Palmerston North yesterday belonged to Richard Hadlee, but it could be that Canterbury will need another exhibition of his genius to win the game today. Canterbury’s fragile batting again failed early yesterday afternoon after it had been set a mere 204 runs to win. and two players were in the pavilion with only 13 runs on the board. Canterbury had Hadlee to thank for its total of 225 in reply to Central’s 241, and also had him to thank for dismissing Central for a disappointing 187 in its second innings Hadlee, with the bat. blazed his way to 83 not out after coming to the wicket when the total was only 120 for six. He was dropped four times, but hit the ball beautifully in his innings, which included the fastest Shell Trophy 50 this season, just 37 balls. ’

Mike Gill grabbed the glory for Central with six for

56. just narrowly worse than his career best, against Canterbury last year, when he took six wickets for 53. Robert Anderson started Central’s second innings looking as safe as the Bank of England, but he couldn’t really get anyone to stay with him. Hadlee and Paul McEwan wrecked the top. and then Richard Leggat grabbed a couple in the middle, just when Chris Webb and then Steve Gill were threatening to take root with Anderson. A rested Hadlee came back and totally wrecked the tail, bowling Anderson for 80 and tacking four wickets for three in this four-over spell. However, even Hadlee can’t open the Canterbury batting as well, and by stumps Mike Gill had Dave Dempsey, and David O’Sullivan had night watchman, John Mackie, back in the pavilion. Both batsmen were leg before. So Canterbury’s prospects today could rest on an out-of-form Paul McEwan and an in form Hadlee. Shell scoreboards page 3