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Angel nearly answers WA's prayers Tom Wald - 16 March 2002
A defiant Greg Blewett century was enough for South Australia to hold WA to a draw after Warriors paceman Jo Angel etched his name further into Australian first class record books today. The Redbacks finished at 8-277 at the close of the four-day match, some 45 runs short of the target set by WA with Blewett (112) and Paul Wilson (nought) finishing at the crease. But evergreen Angel (4-49) was nearly able to answer WA's prayers in the second last over of the day claiming the scalps of Mike Smith (43) and Ryan Harris with consecutive balls. However he was unable to take a hat-trick with Wilson keeping him out before Blewett saw off Brad Williams (1-83) in the final over at the WACA Ground. The 30-year-old Blewett was rock solid throughout his five-hour knock displaying plenty of patience to guide the Redbacks to safety. The evergreen Angel moved into second position on the all-time list of wicket-takers in domestic first class cricket when he dismissed Chris Davies for his second wicket of the innings. He has now taken 387 wickets in Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield matches to also become the leading WA wicket-taker after passing Terry Alderman's mark of 384 scalps today. However Blewett's and Angel's brilliant performances overshadowed Warriors' Chris Rogers two unbeaten centuries as the 24-year-old looked to lock up a middle-order spot in the Warriors line-up next summer. Rogers (102no) punched the air earlier today as he backed up his maiden first class century (101no) with another ton by driving Redbacks quick Smith (4-69) for four. It made him the first WA batsman to score two unbeaten hundreds in a domestic first class match as he finished the last Pura Cup match of the season with a flurry of runs. He finished the Pura Cup season with 411 runs from four matches at an average of 82.2. The Redbacks and the Warriors were both playing for pride today because the spots in next week's final had already been decided with Queensland meeting Tasmania at the Gabba. For the record today's result meant WA finished third in the competition while SA was fourth. © 2002 AAP
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