Australians seize on N.Z. errors

Press, 4 December 1985, Page 80

Australians seize on N.Z. errors

From NZPA staff correspondent,

KEVIN HART,

in Perth

Australia took advantage of a series of New Zealand blunders to take a major stride towards saving the third and deciding cricket test in Perth yesterday.

Four missed chances in the field cost the tourists dear as Australia, inspired by Allan Border, reached 166 for three in its second innings at tea on the fourth day. Australia trailed by 96 runs on the first innings and started the day poorly placed at 38 for two. In the final session on Monday, Ewen Chatfield had missed a return catch offered by David Boon and the chance to run out Border. Those misses proved expensive as the pair developed an 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Yesterday four more chances were lost, with Lance Cairns dropping a simple return catch from Boon in the fourth over. Boon was bowled by

Hadlee, seven minutes before lunch, for 50, reducing Australia to 109 for three. But soon afterwards, Martin Crowe dropped Border at forward short leg, off the spin of John Bracewell, when the Australian captain was 42. Bracewell was also the unlucky bowler when the wicketkeeper, lan Smith, missed stumping chances on Greg Ritchie and Border in the afternoon session. Ritchie had scored eight at the time of his life and Border was on 62 when Smith missed the second opportunity. New Zealand captured the valuable wickets of Border and Ritchie soon after taking the new ball in the final session. Richard Hadlee was again to the fore, and took

his thirtieth wicket for the series in clean bowling Border on 83.

Hadlee struck again shortly before stumps, with the valuable wicket of Greg Mathews, out lbw for 14. Greg Lawson and Craig McDermott played out the remaining minutes before stumps, Lawson surviving a confident leg before appeal from Bracewell. AUSTRALIA First innings 203 2nd innings (2/38 overnight) D. Boon b Hadlee 50 A. Border b Hadlee .... 83 G. Ritchie c M. Crowe b Coney . 44 D. Hookes b Bracewell. . 7 G. Matthews lbw Hadlee. 14 G. Lawson not out 15 C. McDermott not out. . . 2 Extras 14 Total (for 7 wkts) 239