Four century partnerships

Press, 25 February 1986, Page 34

Four century partnerships

From

DAVID LEGGAT

For those with a mind for statistics, the first cricket test between Australia and New Zealand at the Basin Reserve has produced its share of interesting facts and figures. Four century partnerships have been achieved, and three have forced a rewriting of the record books. The highest stand—2l3 between Greg Ritchie and Greg Matthews for Australiaset a new mark for the fifth wicket against New Zealand. Just when New Zealand was precariously placed in its first innings, Jeremy Coney established records for the sixth and seventh wickets against Australia with Ken Rutherford and Richard Hadlee, of 109 and an unfinished 132 respectively. The Australian opening batsmen, Geoff Marsh and David Boon, put on 104, three short of the record

against New Zealand, set by Bruce Laird and Graeme Wood four years ago.

Marsh and Boon have enjoyed spectacular success since first opening together against India before Christmas.

In five innings, they have compiled stands of 17, 32, 217, 57 and 104 for an average of 85.4. Coney’s third test century is the first by a New Zealand captain in five seasons. The last captain to reach three figures was Geoff Howarth, whose 137 was a significant factor in New Zealand beating India by 92 runs at Wellington.

It is also the first time Coney has reached 50 in 10 tests as captain.

Matthews’ 130 was his highest test score, Rutherford’s 65 was his first test half-century, Hadlee’s unbeaten 72 was his twelfth, rounding of a momentous match-