A
MATCH-winning effort from Leading Aircraftman Michael Wescombe
has enabled the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA)
national side to retain the Byrnes Sears Trophy after a convincing
victory against a touring New Zealand Defence Force team.
LAC Wescombe scored 76 before being trapped LBW in a performance
that earned him the man of the match award in the contest, played
in Brisbane on November 20.
Selected after the interservice national carnival, the ASCA side
was well prepared for the game on a typically dry and hard pitch
at the Brisbane Grammar Playing Fields.
New Zealand won the toss and batted, posting a modest total to
be all out for 153 in the 47th over.
In reply, the ASCA side passed the total in the 34th over for
the loss of six wickets.
In New Zealand’s innings, Army bowler Craftsman Jason Hahn
almost pulled off a sparkling five-wicket haul, but was well pleased
with his figures of 4/24 from 10 overs.
He was well backed up by Air Force bowlers Corporal Jeremy Clement
(2/40 from 10 overs), Corporal Shane Anderson (1/47 from 10 overs)
and Corporal Greg Weller (1/12 from 3.3 overs).
The ASCA side set about its run chase in earnest, with CPL Weller,
scoring 22 runs, while Leading Aircraftman Andrew Badke chimed
in with 23.
With the scores tied, the ASCA side had a last-minute hiccup,
losing two wickets trying to score the winning run, but passed
the total with more than 15 overs to spare.
The best of the New Zealand bowlers were Hodges (2/15 from four
overs), Grant (2/17 from seven), Gatley (1/22 from seven) and
Chadwick (1/35 from five).
