From: zorl@hippo.ru.ac.za (Mr RK Laubscher)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Amre's batting performance
Summary: Amre's batting performance
Date: 16 Nov 92 21:06:39 GMT
Article-I.D.: hippo.1992Nov16.210639.4839
Distribution: rec.sport.cricket
Organization: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa

In response to India's slow batting on day 3 at Kingsmead, perhaps I
could make a few comments.  At the end of day 3, Azur and Amre were
batting fairly well and their scoring rate was fairly brisk (compared to
the following day). It appeared that India's batsmen were not too
perturbed by the loss of early wickets and were determined not to let
the SA bowlers get the better of them. Kapil Dev showed this soon after
he came in after Azur's dismissal (a fine piece of fielding by Donald at
deep mid-on position), and Richardson gloved a catch off McMillan. Dev 
attempted to cut a rising delivery outside his off-stump.  Prabhakar
stuck it out with Amre until the umpire offered the batsmen the light
(all three days so far have ended early due to poor light).  The
following day the two batsmen faced some very firey bowling (the sun had
come out, little cloud cover and less moisture in the air and therefore
less lateral movement of the ball). Pringle bowled 13 no-balls,
including 4 consequetive ones (India bowled 13 in their innings).
Schultz was vicious in his few overs.  Prabhakar was eventually caught
by mcMillan in the slips off Donald. Disaster then struck SA as Schultz
had to leave the field with a strained muscle in the buttock (from
overextending on delivery - and consequently a no-ball). With only three
seamers/pace in attack, and one spinner (Henry), all Amre and More had
to do was to let the bowlers tire themselves (leaving everything bowled
on the off-side (McMillan 17 maidens in his 38 overs for the innings),
and hitting the bad ball (usually for two if Rhodes was chasing it, or
four if anyone else was).  Henry was fairly economical before the new
ball was taken, but when he was asked to take the new ball after 25
overs, Amre was particularly harsh on him, hitting him for two
consequitive fours.  Amre eventually got his ton with a four much to
satisfaction of the crowd (certainly quite a few fans in the crowd as
well as Indian flags). After getting his ton, Amre chased a few balls
leaving his off-stump (and a few went through him), when he eventually
made contact with a McMillan riser, and cut straight to Rhodes at point.
Amre had survived some hostile bowling and hit 10 fours in his 103. More
reached his 50 (with three fours, one off a Donald full toss off
leg-stump). India put 30 more runs on the board before Henry wrapped up
the tail, his first test wickets (bowling Kumble and getting More out
lbw off the back foot trying to sweep - apparently a contentious
decision).  More scored 55, Kumble 8, and Srinath 1 n.o.

Rain has eventually come to this drought-ravaged land. A low pressure
trough lies diagonally across the land, drawing moist air in from the
tropics. Rain and bad light stopped play on the fourth day. Weather
predictions for day 5 is 60% chance of rain and early stoppage for bad
light.

Nevertheless, the highlights of this match are Kapil Devs first ball
dismissal of Jimmy Cook (first time a batsman has been dismissed first
ball of the match on debut), probably the finest ball bowled in the
entire match, as well as a superb slip catch, forward and low on the
ground, by Tendulkar; Wessels' and Amre's centuaries (Amre's maiden,
Wessels the first batsman to score centuaries for two countries [Aus and
SA]); Rhodes/Hudson run-out of Tendulkar (first time technology has been
used to assist an umpire give a run out [Tendulkar was out by a foot] 
the first time SA and India have played a test match.  Also Amre and
More's 8th wicket stand is the record for a Test match at Kingsmead.

Rain may be a problem at Wanderers in 2 weeks time, with the drought
being broken inland. Lets hold thumbs!

bye
Richard
-- 
Richard Laubscher - Rhodes University - Grahamstown - South Africa
Internet: zorl@hippo.ru.ac.za 
Phone: +27 [0]461 22023 ext 524 Fax: +27 [0]461 24377