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RHODESIA v EASTERN PROVINCE (Currie Cup match) Reports taken from the Rhodesia Herald - 4-6 December 1965 At Police Ground, Salisbury; 4, 5, 6 December 1965. Tuesday 23 November 1965 McPHUN IS DROPPED >From Our Correspondent John McPhun, Old Hararians' Springbok trialist, has been dropped from the Rhodesian cricket team to play Eastern Province at the Police Ground, Salisbury, on December 4, 5 and 6. McPhun, who failed in both innings against Transvaal, is replaced by Springbok Colin Bland, who has just returned from his honeymoon. There is only one other change in the team which played Transvaal - leg-spinner Jack du Preez regains his place, with the injured Dave Napier omitted. The team is: A Pithey (captain), R Gripper, N Frangos, R Ullyett, E Parker, G Lawrence, J Partridge, D Pithey, A de Caila and J du Preez. Twelfth man, A Procter. Friday 3 December 1965 NO VULGAR COMMENTS WANTED >From The Rhodesia Herald During the last major cricket match played at the Police Ground in Salisbury - Rhodesia v Worcestershire in February - the Mashonaland Cricket Association made the following statement over the public address system: ``Yesterday one or two spectators indulged in bad language and offensive comments much in excess of the ordinary barracking. The cricket authorities cannot allow this embarrassment to others and intend to take action against any further offenders. We feel sure that we shall have the public's support in our efforts to stop this nuisance.'' The Mashonaland Cricket Association hopes it will not be necessary to take similar action during the Rhodesia-Eastern Province match tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. WELCOME TO EDDIE BARLOW AND HIS MEN Sportlight, by Len Brown By the time most of you are reading this, the Eastern Province cricket team will have arrived by train this morning on their first ever visit to Salisbury . . . the bulk of them, that is. The Pollock brothers and Mallett arrive by air later . . . and this corner joins with all Rhodesian cricket fans in welcoming skipper Eddie Barlow and his men for their Currie Cup match against Rhodesia, starting at the Police Ground tomorrow. We don't doubt they'll enjoy themselves off the field . . . Rhodesians have a reputation for guaranteeing just that . . . and if the game as anything as exciting as the last Eastern Province-Rhodesia game in this country, the customers will be happy too. For in that game, played at Bulawayo on identical dates to this weekend's game . . . December 4-5-6 . . . in 1954, Rhodesia won by nine wickets, with four minutes to spare. . . . None of the current Eastern Province players was in that side, but Rhodesia will have two playing this weekend . . . Joe Partridge and skipper Tony Pithey . . . The only current player in the Eastern Province side we've seen up here previously is Graeme Pollock, who came up to play for a Rhodesian Invitation side against one of the Cavaliers' teams a few years back. Young Graeme has come a long way since that visit, and I have a feeling there'll be a special cheer for him when he walks out to bat in this match. There's only one thing got me worried about this game . . . that bloke Jupiter Pluvius, upstairs. If someone would just 'boppa' him and his rain-making apparatus up in a sack and shove him away in a corner under the mealies, we should be in for a grand three days' cricket . . . but I have my doubts. Saturday 4 December 1965 TALENT IN THIS CURRIE CUP MATCH CAN MAKE IT ONE TO REMEMBER By Len Brown The Currie Cup cricket match between Rhodesia and Eastern Province at the Police Ground this weekend has all the ingredients to make it the most attractive match of the season. Given the right weather, a fine pitch and perfect outfield, and some of the brightest characters on the Southern African cricket circuit, this could be a game to remember. But before we go any further, if there are any Rhodesian supporters who consider the result of this game a foregone conclusion because of that two-day tousing Eastern Province took from Transvaal last weekend - forget it. There are too many imponderables - on both sides - to make forecasting anything but a hazardous pastime. And if Rhodesia did have Transvaal backed up against the wall in Bulawayo when that untimely shower of rain came, that's another reason for treading warily with regard to this game. Cricket is great for putting over-confident players, and supporters, in their places. Who is going to stick his neck out with players of the calibre of Eddie Barlow, Graeme Pollock, Tony Pithey and Ray Gripper all due for runs - and Joe Partridge and Peter Pollock, probably the two biggest imponderables of all - in opposition? Perhaps the only certainty about this game is the uncertainty of what could happen in the end. Rhodesian supporters will feel, and with some degree of justification, that they have the better balanced side, and one which bats solidly all the way down to number 10 . . . and Joe Partridge will probably have a few words to say to me about that. Perhaps the real strength of the Rhodesian team is in the versatility of its all-rounders - David Pithey, Eddie Parker, Jackie du Preez, Rob Ullyett and Godfrey Lawrence. All have made runs this season and, apart from the off-spinners of David Pithey and du Preez's leg-spinners, Partridge has the backing of the pace of Parker, and the seamers of Lawrence and Ullyett. Given the normal Rhodesian support in the field they're capable of containing most Currie Cup teams. But then most Currie Cup teams cannot boast an Eddie Barlow and a Graeme Pollock in their batting line-up. Eastern Province are determined to regain some of the 'face' they lost at the Wanderers last weekend. They're first to admit they got what they deserved, if only for the way their batsmen contributed to their own downfall. Several of them were out to shots they thought they'd left behind at prep school, and they're hardly likely to fail en bloc, twice in a row. Although their practice at the Police Ground nets yesterday was more of a loosener than a serious business, there was enough talent on view to make Rhodesians sit up and take notice. Little Tony Biggs, a member of the S.A. Nuffield side which toured overseas two years ago, turned his off-spinners quite sharply at times, even if the pitches were taking a fair amount of spin. And I like, too, the easy action and controlled length and spin of the left-arm spinner Neville Mallett, who also showed useful form with the bat. Peter Pollock was never above half pace, but revealed the rhythm and control which has made him one of the best pace bowlers in the world. Brother Graeme had a happy knock, going for his shots all the while, and one prodigious six hit could quite easily have finished up in the main stand if played from the pitch in the middle. I've never seen the Police Ground looking better - it has surely the greenest outfield in Africa at the moment. The pitch had patches of moisture evident beneath the otherwise perfect surface, but if the weather holds will probably be hard and fast by this morning, when play starts. The Sunday Mail, 5 December 1965 MAGNIFICENT ULLYETT 135 By Fred Cleary Rhodesia 300/6 overnight. Robert Bassett Ullyett played an innings of greatness yesterday. Swinging his bat with controlled aggression never before bettered at the Salisbury Police Ground, he hit 135 runs, and in the process saved Rhodesia from humiliation on the first day of their A Section Currie Cup cricket match against Eastern Province. From being 57 for five, with men of the calibre of Tony Pithey, Colin Bland, Nick Frangos and Ray Gripper back in the pavilion, Rhodesia were able to make a remarkable recovery and be sitting comfortably overnight with 300 on the board and only six wickets down. Rhodesia need at least another 50 runs to feel reasonably safe on this slow wicket, but after that nightmare collapse yesterday morning, the crowd of 4000 who saw an enthralling day's play were quite happy to see that 300 rattle up on the scoreboard as the evening shadows fell on the ground. Only a few hours before they were wondering if they would see 100. In the years since it has become Rhodesia's premier cricket venue, the Police Ground has witnessed some memorable batting. But not even Tony Pithey's two great innings or Rohan Kanhai's century in Cavalier matches could be rated higher than Ullyett's performance yesterday. And David Pithey was only a shade behind him, scoring 98 elegant runs and is still there this morning, looking for his first century for his country. Together they put on a record 193 runs for the sixth wicket in 184 minutes. The previous best partnership for this wicket was 122 by Forbes McDonald and Bob Newson against North-Eastern Transvaal in the 1946/47 season. The most commendable thing about this wonderful partnership was the way in which Pithey and Ullyett scored their runs. Never did they hide behind their belts on the pretence of digging in and waiting for the runs to come. They were aggressive, supremely confident and determined from the moment they came together. They would not allow Eddie Barlow and his equally determined side to pin them down and they wrestled back the initiative and saved Rhodesia from what might have been abject shame by hitting out in the most responsible manner. Obviously they were victims of the most acute 'Bob Barberitis', and the crowd loved it. This was cricket at its glorious best, and no matter the outcome of the game, the first day's batting by this pair will long be remembered. With Ullyett square driving, cutting and offdriving with perfect timing and all the strength that poured from his broad shoulders, and Pithey driving severely on both sides of the wicket with an almost imperious manner, they put on 100 in 114 minutes and took only 28 minutes over their third 50. Ullyett batted 238 minutes before he eventually holed out to long-off with a shot that reflected an extremely tired man. But not before he had scored 135 (his career best) by way of 21 fours, and 250 runs were on the board. Pithey has been there 253 minutes, has scored seven fours and had only one 'life', being dropped by Mike Court at 90 off Hector. Rhodesia have only taken 336 minutes over their 300 runs, a most commendable rate of scoring considering the early disaster. We have long been accustomed to Rhodesia batting badly in the first innings, but yesterday morning's shambles was incredible. The wicked was slow and sweated a little. But those early Rhodesian wickets fell because of rank irresponsible batting and tenacious bowling by Eastern Province. Through this rash batting four wickets fell for only 14 runs. First Ray Gripper went. He and Nick Frangos had added a comfortable 29, then Gripper went to turn a half-volley from Alan Hector to midwicket and instead played him lazily into the leg trap. Then Frangos was deceived by a slower ball from Eddie Barlow that cut in and removed his leg stump. Two were down for 43. Could Tony Pithey make amends for his Bulawayo failure? He could not, slashing Hector into the slips three runs later and Biggs holding the catch after the ball had bounced off Barlow's chest. Hector was bowling most intelligently, varying his length a shade and pegging away at the off stump. Colin Bland came in to a mighty cheer. But he survived one ball - an appeal for leg before was dismissed - and was then yorked by the slim Hector. Four were gone for only 46 and Hector had taken three for 19 in nine overs. Eddie Parker tried to hit Rhodesia out of trouble, but he was brilliantly caught by Hector at long on, and five were back in the pavilion for 57. Then came Ullyett and David Pithey and the Eastern Province domination evaporated in the hot summer air. Seventy minutes' play was lost through rain in the afternoon, but by this time Rhodesia were well in the saddle and in the last session of play Pithey and Jack du Preez took runs as they pleased. But all credit to Eastern Province, and particularly some first-rate, sustained seam bowling by Alan Hector. The visitors field well and off-spinner Biggs had impressive spells. Peter Pollock could not work up to full pace on this wicket, and he made a cardinal mistake early in Ullyett's innings by trying to bounce him out. Ullyett is one of the best hookers in the game and he promptly hooked [two fours? Line omitted.] These two fours not only helped tame the Springbok pace man, but they also gave Ullyett all the confidence in the world. He knew he was the master and it was a most thrilling sight to see him standing there hooking and driving one of the world's leading bowlers with contemptuous ease. One could not ask for more. DE CAILA OUT: FLU Tony de Caila, the Rhodesian wicket-keeper, dropped out of yesterday's match with flu. He is replaced by Howard Gardiner, of Salisbury. Today's weather forecast: fine with possible light showers. Rob Ullyett's century was his third in first-class cricket. His previous best was 121 against Griqualand West on this same ground two years ago. Previous highest innings by a Rhodesian against Eastern Province was 109 by Denis Tomlinson in 1931/32. Alan Hector, 26, is playing in his second senior Currie Cup match. Previously he played for Transvaal B. Monday 6 December 1965 INJURY-STRICKEN RHODESIA STRUGGLE FOR FIRST INNINGS POINTS By Len Brown Rhodesia 450; Eastern Province 221/3 overnight Centuries by David Pithey (143) for Rhodesia and Springbok Eddie Barlow (108 not out) for Eastern Province highlighted the second day's play of the Currie Cup cricket match at the Police Ground yesterday . . . a match which seems to be heading for a struggle for first innings points only on a still perfect batting pitch. Continuing at the overnight total of 300 for six, Rhodesia were all out just before noon for 450, scored in 464 minutes, and at the close, after 285 minutes batting, Eastern Province were handily placed with 221 for the loss of three wickets . . . and with Eddie Barlow still there, looking as solid as a rock, with 13 fours in his century. I say Eastern Province are handily placed for, apart from the still perfect condition of the pitch, Rhodesia will be without the services of Godfrey Lawrence for the rest of the game, and if pace bowler Eddie Parker is called upon to bowl today, it will have to be off a shortened run, at half pace. It was an afternoon of 'alarms and excursions' for Rhodesia. First of all, after bowling a scant four overs before lunch, Lawrence injured his back, left the field for treatment, and was ordered home to bed. Pace bowler Parker bowled four overs immediately after lunch, injured a groin muscle, and could not bowl for the rest of the day. And then, to cap it all, skipper Tony Pithey went down to field a scorching drive into the covers from Graeme Pollock, and tore a ligament in his back. He is unlikely to take any further part in the match. Ray Gripper took over the side, with virtually three bowlers Joe Partridge, David Pithey and Jackie du Preez. And what a fine job they did from two o'clock until the close. Partridge bagged all three wickets that fell, bowled on a length and beat the bat more than just a few times with his leg cutter. He did Rhodesia a good turn when he had Graeme Pollock caught low down by Howie Gardiner behind the stumps, just when the young Springbok seemed to be getting ready to tear into the depleted attack. David Pithey also did a man-sized job. He took over when Parker was injured and bowled 33 overs on the trot, with only the tea break for rest. And du Preez bowled better than he has done all season, and would have suffered no injustice had he bagged a wicket or two. The trio was brilliantly backed up in the field, although some of the throwing in was slightly off target - even Colin Bland was not his usual immaculate self in this respect - but it would be niggardly to withhold praise from both sides for their fielding so far in this game. Rhodesia started the day at 300 for six with David Pithey on 98, and du Preez on 16. The pair had a happy little partnership of 113 in 130 minutes. Pithey's century included 10 fours and a six. He was out the ball after hitting Mallett over the long-on boundary. Both Pithey and du Preez batted exceptionally well on a pitch showing more grass than Saturday, with Peter Pollock gaining some lift. One ball hit du Preez on the head (it wasn't a bouncer) and nearly went for four runs. Gardiner played a delightful innings, highlighted by two successive sixes off Biggs, the second of which cleared the Stragglers tent, and a square cut off Peter Pollock that came straight out of the instruction book. Even Partridge joined in the fun and hit a six off seamer Hector, who had done a grand job throughout the innings for his side. Province started batting at noon, and were quickly in trouble to some fierce inswingers and away cutters from Partridge. Mike Court just couldn't seem to pick which way the ball was going, and it was no surprise when Partridge bowled him. A few overs later Nel was given out, playing down the pitch to a Partridge cutter. Then came the Barlow-Pollock stand, and quietly and steadily the pair began to pull Province out of the mess. Pollock was more subdued than I have seen him and looked to be unhappy about his timing of the ball, particularly off the front foot. But when he did go for the drive the ball fairly whistled through the covers and past point. He and Barlow added 111 before Partridge got Pollock to play a somewhat lackadaisical shot on the off stump and Gardiner snapped the catch up at his bootlaces. But that was the end of success for the day for the Rhodesian bowlers, with Lorrie Wilmot proving a perfect foil to Barlow in their determined search for runs. The game slowed down markedly after tea and it seemed as if Barlow had decided that as long as they stayed there the runs would come without any undue risks being taken, or any worry over the time factor. Province need 230 for first innings points, with all day in which to get them. But the new ball is due at the start today, and Rhodesia's hopes will rest on the willing shoulders of Joe Partridge. Tuesday 7 December 1965 WILMOT'S RECIORD 222 STEERS E.P. TO 1st INNINGS WIN By Len Brown Rhodesia 450 and 38/3; Eastern Province 487. Match drawn. A record-breaking innings of 222 not out by Eastern Province's Lorrie Wilmot, which took him just over eight hours, steered Eastern Province to a first innings win over Rhodesia in their Currie Cup match which ended at the Police Ground yesterday. In reply to Rhodesia's first innings of 450, Eastern Province were all out for 487, giving them a 37-run lead. Wilmot set several records in his mammoth innings. It was the highest ever by an individual for Eastern Province against Rhodesia, it was the first double century ever scored on the Police Ground, and it helped Eastern Province to their biggest ever total against Rhodesia. It was also Wilmot's highest ever. Wilmot, who started his innings shortly after three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, was still there when the Province innings ended five minutes after five o'clock yesterday. He hit one six and 31 resounding fours in a stay which was as much a tribute to his physical fitness as it was to his batting prowess. He didn't give a real chance throughout, although there were several of the 'snatch and grab' variety which might have stuck and changed the whole complexion of the game. He waited patiently for the loose ball . . . and there were far too many short-pitched balls by the Rhodesian attack . . . and thumped them hard, favouring the square cut and the pull shots. His biggest partnership was with his skipper Eddie Barlow, which realised 141 in 189 minutes, and when Barlow was run out by a return to the bowler from Partridge, Wilmot took charge, and for the rest of the innings was the dominant figure. If one has to criticise, I would say his firm footed slashing outside the off stump will be his undoing on more than just a few occasions, particularly if there is a bit of life in the pitch to help the bowlers. This pitch, apart from Saturday morning, never at any stage offered help to any bowler, and perhaps it would be the right time now to pay tribute to the depleted Rhodesian attack. Joe Partridge strained a groin muscle just before lunch, and did not bowl again, and Parker and Lawrence bowled all day off shortened run-ups, at half-pace. It was Eddie Parker who kept Rhodesia's hopes alive almost to the very end, with some excellent seam bowling. In fact, he and Lawrence were the only two bowlers used from three o'clock in the afternoon, and it is a measure of the respect they were accorded throughout by the somewhat cautious Province batsmen, that it took the visitors 41 minutes after tea to get the eight runs they needed to gain a first innings lead. If Parker got the wickets, Lawrence's performance was little short of amazing, for he had injured his back the day before and had to leave the field. There were times yesterday when he looked ready to drop from sheer fatigue, and no doubt some pain, but our friend 'Goofy' regards such incidents as something of a challenge. I'll say he has never done a better job for Rhodesia than he did yesterday, in the circumstances. And the figures of the spinners David Pithey and Jackie du Preez are no fair reflection of some useful backing up to the three pace bowlers, and Rob Ullyett, who probably moved the ball as much as anyone. It was a disappointing match in some respects. Almost from the start of the second day's play, it was pretty evident that neither side was strong enough in attack to bowl the other out twice on this pitch, so first innings points were the only consideration. And that situation never made for a good match in any first-class cricket. The fielding throughout was of a high standard, particularly yesterday with Bland, du Preez and 12th man Anton Procter outstanding. And finally a pat on the back for wicket-keeper Howie Gardiner, who came through his first Rhodesian representative match, having earned full marks all round. Rhodesia's second innings was pure farce, with antics going on which had no place on a Currie Cup cricket field. The captions for photographs showing the Barlow run-out read as follows: The end of a fine innings. Eastern Province captain, Springbok batsman Eddie Barlow, is run out for 142. Barlow turned a ball from Parker to midwicket, Wilmot called for the run. Barlow hesitated before running and just failed to gain his crease. Above, Barlow scrambles for his crease, but Eddie Parker has the ball in his hands and is about to break the stumps. Left, a grinning Barlow leaves the field. Together with Wilmot he had added 141 runs in an invaluable fourth-wicket partnership. Friday 10 December 1965 PETER POLLOCK WASN'T IMPRESSED WITH THE PITCH AT POLICE GROUND Sportlight, by Len Brown ``Hope you're enjoying your stay here in Salisbury,'' was my opening gambit to a conversation I had with Springbok pace bowler Peter Pollock last Sunday afternoon, during that Currie Cup cricket match at the Police Ground. ``Oh, yes, I'm enjoying the trip,'' said Peter, ``but I hope I never come back again . . . if I'm to be expected to bowl on that pitch out there,'' and he waved his hand in the general direction of the field of play. ``I reckon these pitches do no good for the game . . . they load the dice too heavily in favour of the batsmen . . . and as a bowler, I'm agin' them. As far as I'm concerned, for a Currie Cup match played over three days to be a good one, the limit for an innings should be about 300 runs. But that one out there is good for far too many runs . . . too many for my liking.'' As an ex-bowler myself, I'm inclined to agree with him. On the other hand, I suppose one has to remember those words spoken by someone or other about cricket: ``Bowlers win matches, but the crowds come to watch batsmen.'' And I take it the crowds don't want to see their favourite batsman having to battle for runs on a pitch helping the bowlers . . . seems the poor old bowler is on a hiding to nothing these days. Never mind . . . I'll bet David Pithey got a great deal of satisfaction out of that remarkable bowling spell of his on Sunday, when he helped contain two of the most attacking minded batsmen in the world . . . Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock . . . with a spell of 31 overs for 60 runs . . . and on THAT pitch. And speaking of Peter Pollock, I must confess I was a mite disappointed in his bowling. Somewhere along the line, he's been persuaded to slow down a shade, and seek accuracy, rather than pace. In fact, what they've succeeded in doing is to turn him into a cultured, educated, fast-medium paced bowler. Not for me, thanks . . . I prefer my fast bowlers completely uninhibited . . . pace, pace, and more pace . . . like Larwood, Tyson, Neil Adcock . . . genuine fast bowlers, scaring the pants off the chap down at the other end. Maybe I'm just being a 'square'. Before leaving that Currie Cup match, a pat on the back for the inhabitants of that 'corner' . . . particularly for the spirit in which they took that little homily we published on behalf of the Mashonaland Cricket Association, the day before the match started. I didn't hear one swear word throughout the match . . . and I know quite a few folk who sat near that corner, and were kept chuckling throughout Saturday and Sunday, by the wit and aptness of some of the remarks. Take a bow, chaps. Sunday 12 December 1965 POLICE WICKET A REAL PROBLEM By Fred Cleary (Sunday Mail) The Salisbury Police Ground wicket is a problem child. One match it is fine, suiting everyone, the next it is as spongy as the best quality mattress and everyone starts screaming. Last weekend's wicket for the Eastern Province game was a shocker. There was a glut of runs (975 at 42.9 runs a wicket), but all interest died around 3 p.m. on the Sunday afternoon, when Rhodesia had soared to 450 and it was obvious that once Eddie Barlow's men got the necessary runs for those first innings points the match would fritter to a draw. The ball came through slowly; not fast enough for the strokemakers and, apart from the first hour on Saturday, far too slow for Peter Pollock and the seamers. So, despite the first-rate centuries of Rob Ullyett, David Pithey, Eddie Barlow and Lorrie Wilmot, unless we see a different wicket for the Western Province match on February 26-28, the public are not going to roll up in their customary thousands. What can be done about the wicket? Groundsman Ricky Lawton, a most conscientious man who has prepared wickets there since 1957, admitted to me yesterday: ``Frankly, I don't know. I had it spiked immediately after last week's match and I aim to use it again for Western Province. I only hope it improves enough to please everyone. ``I can always shave the wicket, or leave grass on it. But that's about all I can do. And it is funny how the wicket reacts. ``I never get any orders from the cricket authorities about how to prepare my wickets, but naturally I do my best to make one last for three or four days, whatever the case may be. ``Yet take last year. I prepared the same wicket for the MCC and Worcester matches, and whereas the MCC wicket was so good that manager Donald Carr praised it and said it was the finest his side had played on, few liked it for the Worcester game.'' So we can only hope that the next two months will have some beneficial effect on that vital strip of ground. With only two points from two games and three tough away matches ahead, Rhodesia may well be needing an outright victory and six points from that Province game to stay in the A Zone. Not that the winning of points is so vital. Good cricket, entertaining cricket is the paramount consideration. Specially prepared batting pitches for exhibition matches are fine. That 'special' at the Salisbury Sports Club ten years ago, on which over 1100 runs were scored in two days, was a typical example of pleasing, exhibition stuff. In that case an outright result did not matter. People came to see McGlew, McLean and others get the runs. But in the cut and thrust of Currie Cup we must have wickets to suit both bowler and batsman. To my mind 300 is a good enough total for any side, giving bowlers and batsmen a chance. A score pushing 500 in a three-day affair is hopeless. The finest wickets I know are Lord's and the Wanderers in Johannesburg. But even the latter started life with all the energy of a stale pancake. But if last week's match itself fizzled into a dreary draw, at least two of Rhodesia's players found heart. Rob Ullyett blossomed into full glory with quite a delightful demonstration of attacking play, while David Pithey has found the class that earned him Springbok colours, then suddenly deserted him. He batted with silken ease and aplomb, and with good leg spin support from Jack du Preez, bowled his offspinners in a manner to suggest he may well be facing Australia in next year's Tests. One final thought: If Howie Gardiner develops his batting along the lines we saw on Sunday morning he could well force himself back into the side as a batsman. What a pity no tour place can be found for him. Contributed by John Ward, jward@samara.co.zw
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