Springboks canter in

Press, 3 February 1986, Page 44

Springboks canter in

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg South Africa took an unbeatable lead against the rebel Australian cricketers at Johannesburg yesterday with a five-wicket victory in the penultimate game of their six-match limited overs series. After containing the touring team to 185 for seven in a match reduced to 49 overs a side after a few minutes were lost through bad light, the Springboks cantered home with almost 10 overs to spare and took a 3-2 lead in the six-match series.

The rebels struggled for runs through much of their innings and the

Springboks were helped by three dubious decisions by a local umpire, Ted Wood.

Anton Ferreira, the South African-born Warwickshire seam bowler, making his debut for South Africa, had the distinction of taking a wicket, that of the opener, Steve Smith, for 20, with his first ball. But slow motion television playbacks appeared to show his foot overstepped the popping crease, as he did in taking two further vital wickets, those of the captain, Kim Hughes, for 25, and John Dyson for 32. Those wickets proved to be the important break-

through for the Springboks, and although the vice-captain, Graham Yallop, criticised last week for lack of commitment by Hughes, top-scored with 42, the rebels were never able to master the five-man pace attack of the home side.

The Springbok captain, Clive Rice, slammed his team to victory with a hard-hit, undefeated 34.

Rice was awarded the batting prize, Ferreira the bowling award and an Australian, Greg Shipperd, who took a marvellous diving catch to dismiss the Springbok opener, Jimmy Cook, for 12, was given the fielding prize.