The Electronic Telegraph carries daily news and opinion from the UK and around the world.

Scotland find no silver lining

Electronic Telegraph

17 August 1998


AUSTRALIA A clinched a 2-0 one-day series success against Scotland when they triumphed by 175 runs at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, on Saturday. The home side's hopes of securing a morale-boosting consolation victory 24 hours later, however, were scuppered by the rain at Linlithgow.

Wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell became the sixth tourist to make a century during the two-week tour as the Australians rattled up 291 for six in the first match of the weekend.

The Scots were unable to recover from a dreadful start to their reply and limped to 116. In the wake of a sparkling opening partnership of 94 between Campbell and Hussey, the visitors looked certain to post a tally well in excess of 300. But tighter bowling and a series of superb catches in the outfield pegged them to 291 for six. Any chance of an upset was quickly snuffed out as the Scots lost their first five wickets for just 34.

Campbell's effort featured eight fours and a five. For the first time on the trip, coach Allan Border was able to deploy his first-choice spearhead of Andy Bichel and Jason Gillespie, who had been sidelined by a groin-strain.

With only a single on the board, Bruce Patterson was heading back to the pavilion, having driven Bichel down Hussey's throat at mid-off. Two overs later, Iain Philip played over the top of a Bichel in-ducker and lost his off-stump, also for one. Worse was to come as Steve Crawley spooned an easy catch to Brendon Julian at square-leg to give Bichel his third wicket. Only Ian Stanger offering any real resistance with 28.

He continued in the same vein yesterday to claim his highest score for Scotland, who posted a total of 206 for eight, but the rain returned before Australia could launch their response.

Scotland captain George Salmond's option to bat seemed to have backfired when Philip was dismissed lbw to Adam Dale with only a handful of runs on the board.

But Patterson (23) and Crawley (28) repaired the damage with a flurry of attacking stroke before both were run out in successive overs as a result of direct hits.

Their departure paved the way for Stanger and Dougie Lockhart to mount the most attractive partnership of the series - and one which, at last, had the potential to put the Australian batsmen under some pressure on the low and slow track.

Lockhart perished four short of the half-century mark, with the ever-improving Stanger progressing to 74. His stint lasted 71 balls, featured two sixes and five fours.

Saturday (Raeburn Place): Australia A 291-6 (R Campbell 120, M Hussey 50), Scotland 116. Yesterday (Boghall): Scotland 206-8 (I Stanger 74, D Lockhart 46).

Match abandoned. Australia win one-day series 2-0.


Source: The Electronic Telegraph
Editorial comments can be sent to The Electronic Telegraph at et@telegraph.co.uk
Contributed by CricInfo Management
help@cricinfo.com

Date-stamped : 17 Aug1998 - 10:45