Hello 'Dolly' - goodbye win

A brilliant undefeated century by England Test all-rounder Basil D'Oliveira prevented Rhodesia from beating the International Wanderers who forced a draw at the Queens Ground yesterday.

A small crowd of only 770 watched another intriguing day's cricket. Mike Procter continued Rhodesia's innings, but declared after an hour's batting with the Rhodesian total 148 for four. This left the Wanderers 285 minutes to get 348 runs.

It was definitely on, but while John Jameson and Bruce Francis were prepared to attack the bowling, New Zealander Glenn Turner withdrew into his shell and took 55 minutes to get seven. Had he attacked the bowling as in the first innings, the Wanderers would have come close to victory instead.

Rhodesia started badly yesterday morning. Duncan Fletcher was joined by Stuart Robertson, who looked in excellent form once again. But Brian Close snatched Fletcher's wicket in his second over, caught and bowled.

Peter Carlstein came in, and with orders from Procter to chase the runs, he set about getting a merry 35 in only 20 minutes. But he followed Fletcher when clean bowled by Close - the first clean-bowled victim of the match.

With three wickets down for 78, Procter joined Robertson. In 30 minutes the pair added 63. Robertson hit two sixes, and Procter hit one over the sightscreen and out of the ground at the south end. Procter was stumped for the second time in the match, this time off Norman Gifford, and he declared soon after.

Jameson, who opened with Turner for the Wanderers, appeared set for a big score. But once again he failed after reaching double figures, this time to a catch by Fletcher off Procter.

Francis came in and immediately set about the bowling. He reached his second half-century of the match after a wide range of attacking shots - mainly in front of the wicket.

Turner was next to go, caught by Procter off Richie Kaschula, and Brian Close came in to join the Australian player. But the England skipper didn't have a great knock, going for 27, and Edrich followed soon after for only two.

Enter D'Oliveira. The South African-born player was determined to make up for his failure on Sunday, and started slowly, getting the pace of the pitch. Although he played some lovely drives, it was mainly off the back foot that he built his fine innings of 116. His 100 came in 160 minutes and included 12 fours and a six.