Tavare, Lamb take England to easy victory

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 34

Tavare, Lamb take England to easy victory

From

JOHN COFFEY

in Alexandra

Chris Tavare threw off his test match ties and Allan Lamb joined with him in a rollicking partnership of 180 runs to ensure England of a decisive victory over Otago in the 50 overs cricket match at Molyneux Park, Alexandra, yesterday.

The much-malinged Tavare relished the opportunity to display the other side of his cricketing character in scoring 126, and Lamb was unbeaten on 106 when England’s innings ended at 297 for four. Otago also had a productive stand for the third wicket, between Stu McCallum and Bruce Blair, and it kept abreast of England’s progress over the first half of the innings; but once they were separated there was no-one to help McCallum increase the momentum and Otago had to settle for 185 for eight. Tavare proceeded with a little caution in the early stages, leaving the initiative to Graeme Fowler and David Gower during their brief appearances but the captain of Kent assumed control after Gower’s dismissal. The second of what were to be several lofted drives to the boundary damaged Tavare’s bat — he found another, one that he used to thump the ball to all points of the cricket compass, and over some of them.

After reaching his halfcentury in 75 balls, Tavare accelerated to three figures in just another 39 deliveries. But he should have been caught on 99, off a towering hit to Richard Hoskin at deep square leg. Tavare became utterly frivolous. He faced only eight more balls, and they brought him his last 26 runs. Three sixes cleared midwicket to go with his 12 fours.

Although Lamb had been faster to 50 (59 balls) than his partner, he was clearly overshadowed in contributing 70 of the 180 runs in the

partnership which extended for 103 dizzy minutes. Lamb, however, was to have his turn in centre stage. When his northamptonshire team mate, Neil Mallender, began the second-to-last over, Lamb needed 12 runs for his century. He got them in two lusty hits to wide long-on, bringing up his second 50 in 40 deliveries. That over cost Mallender 18 runs, and Stephen Boock — who conceded sixes to Gower and Lamb — and Richard Webb also had their expensive spells. It was all the more to the credit of the 18-year-old. and virtually part-time, medium-pacer, Ken Rutherford, that he should gain the wickets of Fowler and Mike Gatting, as bonuses for his economy, he could have had Lamb, too, had the last ball of the innings dislodged a bail after running from the batsman’s pads and nudging the stumps. Rutherford’s alertness in the field and accurate throw caused Gower’s downfall. McCallum was at his pugnacious best, hooking lustily at anything short, yet unveiling several handsome off-side drives when Graham Dilley was guilty of over-pitching. Blair increased in confidence, lofting a ball from Vic Marks for Otago’s only six, before offering Marks a simple return catch. They provided the only substance to the innings. McCallum battled on with minimal assistance until he needed seven runs from the final over for his century. He managed only four, but his was an exceptionally brave effort. It was a financial, as well

as festive, day at Alexandra, where the umbrellas were needed solely for protection from the sun. Receipts of more than $lB,OOO were double the previous record for a cricket match in the town, with about 5000 spectators ringing the picturesque park. A collection for the Southland Flood Relief Fund realised $1436. ENGLAND G. Fowier c Dawson b Rutherford 24 C. J. Tavare b Blair ... 126 D. I. Gower run out. . . . 20 A. J. Lamb not out ... . 106 M. W. Gatting c Boock b Rutherford 7 D. W. Randall not out. . . 0 Extras (wlO, lb 4) 14 Total (for 4 wkts) 297 Fall: 41, 72, 252, 297, 297. Bowling.—N. Mallender 10, 0, 63, 0; S. L. Boock 10, 1, 50, 0; B. R. Blair 8,0, 60, 1; R. J. Webb 10, 0, 55, 0; K. R. Rutherford 10, 2, 29, 2; A. H. Jones 2,0, 26, 0. OTAGO K. R. Rutherford c Fowler b Willis 6 S. McCullum not out ... 97 R. N. Hoskin c Gower b Cowans 5 B. R. Blair c and b Marks . 53 G. J. Dawson c Gower b Marks 0 A. P. Jones c Fowler, b Cook 0 S. Richards c Fowler b Dilley 0 W. K. Lees b Dilley.... 4 N. Mallender b Gatting. . 2 S. Boock not out 7 Extras (w2, bl, lb 3, nb2). 8 Total (for 8 wkts) 185 Fall: 11, 32, 132, 142, 142, 147, 153, 168. Bowling.—Willis 5,1, 14, 1; Dilley 10, 1, 39, 2; Cowans 10, 0, 46, 1; Cook 10, 2, 28, 1; Marks 10, 0, 40, 2; Gatting 5, 0,10, 1.