N.Z.-Aust. women’s cricket affected by rain

Press, 27 January 1986, Page 21

N.Z.-Aust. women’s cricket affected by rain

Rain badly affected the third and deciding match in the women’s cricket series for the Shell Rose Bowl between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday; The game was scheduled to begin at Lancaster Park at 11 a.m. but persistent rain meant it was not until 3.20 p.m. that a ball was bowled. The match was reduced to 40 overs but again rain became set in and play

was abandoned for the day with only 17 overs being bowled, New Zealand having lost one wicket for 60 runs. Australia had won the toss and sent New Zealand in to bat. New Zealand’s intentions were clear from the outset as the openers, Jackie Clark and Lesley Murdoch, took seven runs off the first over. Both batswomen played positively and ran well

between wickets until Murdoch was bowled by a sharp delivery from Debbie Wilson for nine. Debbie Hockley came to the crease and, with Clark, took the score through to 60. Clark drove the ball strongly, particularly on the on-side, timing her shots to perfection. Hockley also looked in fine touch as she drove forcefully and cut delicately.

For Australia Debbie Wilson bowled at a lively pace and Karen Price got considerable movement through the air, but it was Karen Brown who was the most difficult to get away, conceding just 10 runs off five overs. Rain, which started as a light drizzle, developed into heavy showers and the ball became difficult for the bowlers to grip. The outfield was very slow and eventually the players left the field at 4.45 p.m. Play was not resumed, with bad weather also preventing play yesterday. In spite of the series being tied at one-all Australia, as the holder, retain the Shell Rose Bowl trophy. Other awards were.— best fielder, Chris Matthews (Australia); best batsman, Jackie Clark (New Zealand); best bowler, Lynette Fullston (Australia). Scoreboard.— NEW ZEALAND L. Murdoch b Wilson. . 9 J. Clark not out 36 D. Hockley not out. . . 12 Extras (wl, Ib2) ... 3 Total (for 1 wkt) 60 Bowling: K. Brown 5,1, 0, 10; D. Wilson 4,0, 1, 22; K. PricejS, 1, 0,19; L. Larsen-3, 0, 0, 7. i% Umpires: P. Carrick, F. Goodall.