Police put to sword at Oval

Kensington Oval Police 187, Pickwick 274-7

Veteran George Harris exposed the limitations of the Stansfeld Scott Police bowling attack on a firm batting pitch as he led a savage assault to complete a century against the champions yesterday.

The 37-year-old Harris combined excellent timing and placement with brute force in an innings of 126 off 131 balls.

His enterprising aggression earned him two sixes and 18 fours in an innings which lasted 239 minutes.

The second of his two sixes came towards the end of his innings immediately after the ESA Field Pickwick batsmen refused an offer by the umpires to leave the field due to poor light.

Police replaced left-arm spinner Desmond Linton with medium-pacer Alvin Campbell (four for 89).

His first delivery was a bouncer which Harris helped onto the wall of the Hall & Griffith Stand.

Earlier Harris had raced into the 90s during an over in which he took a four and a six off Campbell.

Boundaries

He went on to reach his century in 196 minutes off 113 deliveries. His collection of boundaries also included a cut to backward point and a sweep to fine leg in the first over bowled by off-spinner Stanton Proverbs.

But the strokeplay was not restricted to the bat of Harris. Former West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes played an excellent knock of 47 off 47 balls in a century stand with Harris.

The pair added 109 in 71 minutes to complete a recovery started by Harris and Raymond Griffith.

Harris and Griffith put together 52 for the fourth wicket after Police had reduced Pickwick to 41 for three.

Griffith was caught by Brian Corbin off medium pacer Steve Brathwaite (two for 37) shortly after tea but Drakes stroked eight elegant fours and a six to put Pickwick firmly in control.

Graham Bethell made an entertaining 33 off 35 balls in fading light as Pickwick continued to build a healthy lead. Twice in one over he effortlessly lifted Campbell through the on side on top of the Kensington Stand.

Prior to the start of play, Drakes predicted Police would fold quickly and Pickwick would bat the remainder of the day.

The scrip was played out to the letter as Police's last three wickets only added five runs.