Result

In the 5th game of the tour, the first Test Match, was against Scotland. Australia all out for 179 in the 50th and final over, defeated Scotland, all out for 78 in the 44th over.

 

The Ground and Preliminaries

The game was played at Stenhousemuir CC, the home of Scotland cricket. Three new Aussies, Keith Christiansen, Mick Kettle and Trevor Saker were capped for their first test games for Australia with baggy greens. The Australian Team, resplendent in Australian blazers gave a stirring rendition of Advance Australia Fair. The Scots responded with their anthem – Flower of Scotland.

 

Conditions

Overnight rain and a wet outfield delayed the start but the pitch had been well prepared and covered. Whilst we started in overcast conditions, it wasn’t long before the match was under way. It should be noted that there were normal (not Over 60s) outfield boundary ropes and 80 – 90 metre boundaries. With the ground still damp, I don’t imagine there will be too many boundaries and there should be plenty of running between wickets.

 

Match Report – Australian Innings

The Scots won the toss and put Australia in. The openers Gaskell and Richardson got us off to a reasonable start with (as expected) plenty of running between wickets but few boundaries.

0 for 43 off the first 10.

In the 13th over we lost Gaskell LBW for 22 off 28 balls then Dedman was given a very doubtful caught behind without scoring. Captain Harrison was caught at backward square leg for 8 off 22 balls in the 20th over. Richardson is playing a solid and reliable anchor roll and is on an unbeaten 29.

3 for 65 off 20 overs.

Quinn joins Richardson and both bat solidly. Quinn is caught in the 29th over, 18 off 27 balls. Richardson is solid and on an unbeaten 46 runs at the 30th over.

4 for 94 off 30 overs.

Drescher joins Richardson who brings up his 50. Glenn is using his feet beautifully, a fine innings so far. There has been only 5 × 4s in our innings, to date on this huge ground with a slow outfield. ‘The Dresch’ alters that particular statistic immediately and smacks 5 × 4s in his first 20 balls.

4 for 161 off 40 overs

In the 42nd over we lose Richardson bowled for a fine 61 off 112 balls, then Drescher, bowled for 42 off 35 balls and then Christiansen is bowled for 1. Lyon and Bennett come to the crease. 7 for 171 at the 45 over mark.

The Scots typically remain dogged towards their foe and gain the wickets of Lyon and Bennett, then Rob Henry in the last over.

Australia’s Final Score – all out for 179 off the final (50th) over.

There were three reasonable partnerships but the rest of the batting list underperformed. However, the pundits consider the 179 achieved would be worth 230 – 250 on a normal O60s ground with shorter boundaries. Frankly, Scotland showed great persistence and determination in their efforts. Robinson bowled extremely well with 3 for 15 off 6 overs.

 

Scotland Innings

Run Rate Required – 3.6 per over.

The new ball was taken by Bennett and Christiansen. The Scottish openers started cautiously, sizing up our quicks.

None for 23 off 10.

Bennett draws first blood in the 11th over, LBW then another LBW three balls later for a double wicket maiden. It is fair to say that the Scottish umpires are very quick on the trigger. Dedman takes a good regulation slips catch for Bennett’s third wicket. On comes Saker for his first ball for Australia in international ranks – a short wide trundle …. caught Bennett at point …. just proves the old cricket adage about ‘sh.t getting wickets’.

4 for 40 off 20 overs.

The Scots need to establish a good partnership or two and up the run rate.  4 for 53 at the half way drinks break. Saker comes back on and picks up a magnificent bowled. He then gets a caught behind for his third.

Scotland is 6 for 62 off 30.

Saker has their best batsman ‘shouldering arms’ and nips one back to clip the off stump, a magnificent ball. He now has ‘4 for’. The Scots are 7 down and in trouble. Kettle has bowled well and picks up a bowled, then a fine long return throw right over the stumps from Christiansen at fine leg delivers for a good run out. 

9 for 76 off 40.

Christiansen picks up the last wicket caught by sub Stokes.

Scotland all out for 78 off 43 overs. Australia wins.

Best bowling:

Saker 4 for 12 off 8;

Bennett 3 for 9 off 8.

Richardson is given Man of the Match by the Scots.

 

Commendation

The scoring was rotated amongst the rested players. Chris Carr ‘scored’ 10 wickets in the match including a hat trick-on. During his 2 x scoring spells took 6 for 18 and 4 for 15. He shall be earmarked for many further scoring duties if we ever get in trouble.