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Alleyne and Wells stake timely claims for call-up

By Nelson Clare in Brisbane
9 January 1999



MARK ALLEYNE and Vince Wells have given England a happy selection problem for tomorrow's match against Australia at the Gabba which opens the triangular series also involving Sri Lanka.

The newcomers to the senior international scene made the two top scores in the 92-run win over Queensland in the final day-night warm-up match in Brisbane.

Alleyne then took two wickets in his first two balls late in the Queensland reply but failed to complete the hat-trick despite being given four slips, two gullies and a short leg by captain Adam Hollioake.

He did, however, pick up two more wickets later to finish with four for six - helped by two catches by man-of-the-match Wells to see England home with 7.4 overs to spare.

Neither Leicestershire all-rounder Wells nor Gloucestershire captain Alleyne would have been expected to make tomorrow's starting line-up, but they have now given captain Alec Stewart and the England management food for thought.

Wells launched England's effort with a 60-ball 63 while Alleyne, coming in at No 7, hit 60 from 40 deliveries to help his side to 326 for six. That always looked too much for Queensland, even though they had not lost to a touring side at home for five years.

Wells struck two sixes as he shared an opening stand of 128 with Nick Knight (58 in 53 balls) on a flat pitch which gave scant encouragement to Queensland's pace bowlers.

He was eventually run out, but the momentum was set before Alleyne added 92 in 69 balls with Neil Fairbrother (56 not out) in a final flourish.

Queensland needed a fast start in the face of such a demanding target, and Matthew Hayden obliged with a range of cuts and pulls before Alan Mullally intervened.

The Leicestershire left-armer claimed three for nine in 18 balls, a sequence which began with Hayden diverting a delivery on to his stumps.

A brilliant low catch by Ashley Giles on the third-man boundary removed dangerman Stuart Law, then Jimmy Maher was caught behind.

But Queensland recovered from 79 for four to 151 for five, Geoff Foley hitting 55 before picking out Knight on the midwicket boundary.


Source: The Electronic Telegraph
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