Herbert Hundred Overshadows Headline Act In Trial Loss

Newcastle Herald

Monday September 15, 2008

By NEIL GOFFET

HAMILTON-Wickham captain Darren Herbert upstaged New Zealand international James Franklin, despite Newcastle losing Saturday's representative trial match to ACT at Ron Hill Oval.

Herbert, who has retired from representative cricket but was filling in because Newcastle's NSW Country players were unavailable, smashed a stunning century in their three-wicket loss. The hard-hitting right-hander arrived at the wicket with Newcastle reeling at 4-51 and cracked eight sixes and 10 fours to score 103 off 77 balls.

Herbert struck the ball so well he was even contemplating a representative revival last night.

"Maybe, if they're short again," he laughed.

Newcastle scored 242 from their 50 overs, but all-rounder Franklin, who is playing for the ACT as part of his comeback from injury, did not bowl.

Franklin batted No.3 for ACT and was out cheaply when he could not control a bouncer from Herbert's Hamwicks teammate, Rhys Soper, who was also filling in after retiring two years ago from the Newcastle side.

The ACT needed four runs to win with four deliveries remaining when they struck a boundary to reach 7-243.

Franklin starred in yesterday's Twenty20 match when ACT (4-178) defeated Newcastle (4-141) at Learmonth Park.

The 28-year-old left-hander, who is expected to be back in the New Zealand squad for their tour of Australia later in the year, cracked three sixes and seven fours in his 71 off 43 balls.

Newcastle (6-174) defeated ACT (105) in the under-19 Twenty20 match yesterday that was also played at Learmonth Park.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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