Mildura hosts World Series Cricket

Originally published December 22 and 23, 1977

IN a dramatic finish the World Series Cricket Australians beat the WSC World team by two wickets at Mildura Recreation Reserve with the last pair at the crease in one of the longest single sessions in first class history.

The fire competition between the sides ended with all rounder Ashley Mallett being taken from the ground on a stretcher after being hit by a fast rising delivery by Imran Khan with four runs to get.

An edge through slips by Graeme McKenzie saw the WSC Australians win the game much to the delight of almost 1800 spectators who remained at the ground until 8.10pm.

The final session of play ended three hours and 10 minutes after the tea interval.

Mallett was taken to Mildura Base Hospital for treatment.

After a 10-minute delay, last batsman Wayne Prior came to the crease to face Khan with four runs required.

The second delivery he faced was short and struck Prior on the thigh.

He threw his bat 30 meters away to mid-wicket in disgust.

Khan, a crowd idol the day before when he made 97 and was out in the last over to help the World XI to 356, was booed by the crowd at the end of the over, but he was visibly upset at the injury to Mallett.

It was then left to Derek Underwood to bowl the final over of the match.

There was controversy during the World innings when skipper Tony Greig sent a message to Khan to object if Prior, who had been off the field for almost an hour, was re-introduced into the attack.

Australian captain Ian Chappell was noticeably upset at the time when the umpires enforced the ruling.

Chappell, however, had the last laugh scoring 97 in an opening stand of 165 with Ian Davis (64), while Rob Langer (90) and Ross Edwards (31) also among the runs.