Harris gamble fails (26 April 1999)

26 April 1999

Harris gamble fails

Christchurch Press

Chris Harris's testimonial cricket match at Jade Stadium may have brought little financial reward to the Canterbury cricketer.

Organisers will struggle to break even on the inter-island match yesterday won by the South Island by 40 runs before a crowd of about 2000.

The benefit committee knew it was taking a big risk playing the game in late April, with no suitable summer date available, and the gamble did not really pay off with an overcast, cool day which had the hardy spectators resorting to rugs.

Had there been a fine day numbers would probably have doubled to near the 5000 that benefit committee chairman Chris Herbert had hoped for.

"It's been a good crowd considering the day. Everything just hinged on the weather being good and we've been let down a bit. That's disappointing, but we were committed to this day."

Herbert said the financial outcome was not yet known but the support of major sponsor Canterbury Draught had been vital.

Drizzle did threaten the 45-over match in its early stages, the ball being wet and the outfield lush and slippery. But the players wanted to stay on, though they had to tread gingerly about the ground.

The portable pitch also contributed to much of the game being played in slow motion, being without grass and having so much adhesive added it could have been a glue-sniffer's paradise.

The boundary was brought in and the bowlers usually reduced their run-ups and speed.

Man of the moment Harris was typically at the hub of the game making a bold 42 for South from just 33 balls, with three fours and two sixes, to help his side through to a solid 236 for seven. He then featured with the ball taking two wickets, including a splendid trademark caught and bowled to dismiss North's batting dangerman Roger Twose.

Twose had ignited North's innings after it was 29 for three. He hammered 31 off two Geoff Allott overs and had the run rate soaring to six an over.

The South innings had been given a slow but steady start by Matthew Horne and Nathan Astle who gradually increased the tempo as they adjusted to the wicket's pace. They added 111 for the first wicket, the sort of start the Black Caps will want in their World Cup campaign during May.

At least the low-key game gave the players outdoor practice, probably in conditions not dissimilar to what they will strike in England.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)