From: WEABEP@DEVAX1 (Peter ABELA)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: We lost (but only just)
Date: 27 Jan 93 00:06:07 GMT
Organization: BHP Information Technology
Nntp-Posting-User: wezamg
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.11

Damn it ! West Indies has just one the fourth test by 1 run, the smallest
winning margin ever in test match history. They deserved to win, but having
come so close, it's a shame the Aussies couldn't go that last step.

At the start of Day 4, we were chasing 186 to win. David Boon fell early to
Ambrose, LBW, and Mark Taylor followed shortly after for 7, caught behind off
Benjamin. Mark Waugh and Langer took the score from 2/16 to 2/56 before Waugh
fell to Courtney Walsh, caught in the slips by Hooper for 26. It was an innings
of flair, one notable moment being when he stepped a long way down the leg side
to slash Bishop (I think) over the slips for 4. At lunch it was 3/60.

First ball after lunch Steve Waugh hit the ball to Artherton at coverpoint off
Ambrose, 4/60. Border got 1 (caught at bat-pad off Ambrose), Healy got 0, (a
pair for the match, bowled Walsh), and Hughes got 1 (LBW Ambrose). The score at
that stage was 7/74, with Justin Langer still at the crease on 20*. He was
joined by Warne, and together they put on 32, before Warne fell LBW to Ian
Bishop for 9. 8/102.

Tim May, the bowling hero joined Langer, and played some glorious cover-drives.
Together they took the score to 144 before Langer got a bottom edge off a
pull-shot, and was caught behind off Bishop. His innings of 54 lasted 253
minutes. McDermott and May wittled down the score, May looking very safe, and
McDermott a bit streaky. When the score reached 9/185, Courtney Walsh ripped
through a ball short of a length which just clipped McDermott's glove on the
way through to the keeper. McDermott fell for 18, with May remaining 42 not
out.

Australia lost the game due to the failure of the top-order. In particular Mark
Taylor, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh and Allan Border had poor games. Langer showed
great determination, and I would keep him in the side for the 5th test,
dropping Taylor for Martin. Taylor is badly out of form, and his average has
plummeted from mid-60s to 46. He hasn't scored a 50 for 16 test innings.

The selectors choice to play 2 spinners was vindicated, with May and Warne
bowling very well. Together they took 8 of the 20 West Indian wickets. May's
second innings figures of 6.5 overs, 3 maidens, 5 for 9 made good reading.

Jo Angel the WA fast bowler has been included in the 14 man squad for the 5th 
test, as has Martyn, Langer and Taylor. Australia must win to regain the Frank
Worrell trophy.


The Speaker.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------/\/\----
Peter Abela, Computing Science Cadet, Process & Engineering Section   / / /\
               BHP Information Technology, Wollongong Region         / / /  \
Mail      :    P.O. Box 261, Warrawong 2502, NSW, Australia         / / / /\ \
Telephone :    +61 42 755625 Fax: +61 42 755215                     \ \/ / / /
Internet  :    Peter.P.A.ABELA@BHPMELMSM.BHP.bhpmel04.telememo.au    \  / / /
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All opinions are my own, and not BHP IT's
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