N.Z. cricketers lose

Press, 7 September 1989, Page 29

N.Z. cricketers lose

NZPA London The New Zealand youth cricket team suffered the most embarrassing defeat of its tour of England when it went down to a Kent Young Cricketers side by two wickets yesterday. Kent recovered from 43 for six to score 245 for eight to win the match at Gillingham and inflict a damaging loss on the tourists just three days before the deciding third test against. England at Manchester. Kent began the day at 13 for three needing 242 to win on a very difficult pitch which gave considerable assistance to the spinners. The next three wickets fell in quick succession, but a middle order batsman, Greg Myers, made a fighting 64 and found support in the lower order.

The No. 8 batsman, Graham Kersey, scored an unbeaten 83, batting intelligently, and adding 91 for the seventh wicket with Myers. He then found support from M. Patel, who hit 24 of a 32-run stand for the eighth wicket, before sharing an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 79 with M. Brimson, who was dropped at slip off the left arm spinner, Mark Richardson. Richardson and fellow spinner, Matthew Hart, bowled unchanged throughout the day after the opening 15 minutes. Hart got through 40 overs in taking five for 133 — giving him an excellent match analysis of 12 for 170 — while Richardson bowled 37 overs in taking two for 77. There were other bowlers on the field, including the vice-captain, Chris Cairns, but

they were not used. Cairns played as a batsman in the match, giving a leg muscle injury a rest from bowling. The manager, John Howell, said the pitch was playing at its easiest yesterday, but he was not making excuses for a disappointing performance, when the players eased off with a seemingly certain win in sight. “Suddenly they found the horse had bolted,” Mr Howell said. The tourists travel to Manchester today for the final test, leading the series 1-0. Scores:— New Zealand 242 and 137 lost to Kent Young Cricketers 138 and 245/8 (G. Kersey 83 not out, G. Myers 64, M. Brimson 29 not out, M. Patel 24; M. Hart 5/133, M. Richardson 2/77, K. O'Dowda 1/25) by. two wickets.