Liebenberg, Hamilton shine in England-Combined XI match

Bloemfontein: Former South African Test player, Gerhardus Liebenberg, proved to be a thorn in England's side as a Combined Free State/Griqualand West XI held their own against the tourists on the second day of their four-day match at Goodyear Park on Saturday.

At close, Liebenberg had scored an unbeaten 80 to help the Combined XI reach 156 for three, still 202 runs behind overall after England had declared at lunch on 358 for nine.

Against an England attack that only fired in patches, Liebenberg stood firm during early onslaughts from speedster Darren Gough, scoring his runs off 194 balls with 11 fours.

Together with Martyn Gidley, he put on 81 for the first wicket before Gough bowled Gidley for 37 off 103 balls (3x4, 1x6). With Finlay Brooker (0) and Piet Barnard (3) going cheaply, it was left to Morne van Wyk to heed the call and by the close the two had put on 55 for the fourth wicket.

Of a relatively toothless bowling attack, Gough was the pick of them. After a fiery first spell of six overs for 20 runs - only his second since injury ruined his English summer in mid-July - the Yorkshireman began to find his line and length to return a second spell of one for 13 in five overs.

Earlier, Gavin Hamilton resumed unbeaten on eight and set about frustrating the local bowlers in an entertaining morning session.

Together with Gough, Hamilton scored all the runs in a 19-run eighth wicket partnership and then with seamer Allan Mullally, put on a stubborn 54 for the ninth wicket. Mullally's 20 off 50 balls (2x4, 1x6) was his best score in two seasons.

Gough fell to seamer Garth Roe, mistiming an on-drive and scooping the ball into the hands of mid-on Martyn Gidley.

Best of the local bowlers was seamer Herman Bakkes who finished with three for 53 in 25 overs, while Johan van der Wath, Chrisjan Roe and Garth Roe all picked up two apiece.