Appropriate match for McEwan

Press, 16 December 1988, Page 29

Appropriate match for McEwan

It is utterly appropriate that a highlight of Paul McEwan’s benefit season should be the limited-over match between Canterbury and Auckland at Elmwood Park on Sunday. The venue is, of course, the home of McEwan’s Old Collegians club and one of the most delightful settings for cricket watching and playing in Christchurch.

And it was against Auckland five years ago that McEwan had his most successful and satisfying apearance for Canterbury. On that occasion, on the main oval of Eden Park, Canterbury was poised to win the Shell Trophy. But the necessary first innings advantage over Auckland was far from certain when the third wicket fell at 29.

Auckland’s bowling attack included Gary Troup, Sean Tracy, Martin Snedden, Warren Stott, Tom Hellaby and Alan Hunt. They were all to be subservient to McEwan, however, as he made a princely personal best first-class score of 155.

In just four hours, McEwan struck 26 boundaries and reaped his runs from 192 deliveries. His contribution assured Canterbury of the trophy, and McEwan returned in the second innings for a

memorable encore — a half-century from only 35 balls in 35 minutes. That was a red letter day in a career which has included many triumphs, a few tragedies, as McEwan has steadily moved within range of Barry Hadlee’s Canterbury records for most runs and most appearances.

Over the next few month’s McEwan has a possible nine matches — which would extend his total to a new mark of 83 — to overhaul Hadlee, who is just 293 runs ahead of him.

Before and after those countdowns McEwan will be busy in conjunction with his committee involving himself in the various off and on field events of the first benefit season awarded to a Canterbury cricketer.

Sunday’s match, which starts at noon, received a boost yesterday when Auckland’s travel expenses were underwritten by Robbie Burns Cut Price Liquor Stores. A junior skills clinic will be held before the game.