Date-stamped : 17 Jan94 - 14:39 ORANGE FREE STATE v ENGLAND A (4 days) Bloemfontein, 14-17 Jan 94 ====> Day 1, 14 Jan 94 Martin McCague defied blistering heat and blistering feet to take four wickets for England A against South Africa's domestic cham- pions. The Orange Free State were 344-9 at close after a tena- cious England fightback on a docile wicket. Captain Hugh Morris had lost an important toss and by tea the home side were 249-3. But McCague changed the face of the innings with his three wicket spree having earlier removed opener Mickey Arthur. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 3, 16 Jan 94 Free State opening batsman Mickey Arthur became the first South African to score a century against England A as the home side raced to a massive 452 lead after their second innings on Sunday. The tourists had reduced the massive deficit by 59 runs at the close at Springbok Park but had lost the second innings wicket of both Mark Lathwell and nightwatchman Peter Taylor. England A, all out for 180 in their first innings reply to Free State's 370, then spent another frustrating day in the field as Arthur batted out an almost chanceless 106, which included six fours, as the home side stuck it out to 262 before Franklyn Stephenson declared the innings closed with nine down. Free State had started the day on 28-0. Arthur, now a strong candidate for the South African A side to face the tourists in a five-day "mini-test" at Port Elizabeth starting January 27, was finally out, shaping to hook a short delivery from Taylor. The ball touched his glove and a diving Steve Rhodes took a sharp wicketkeeper's catch down the leg side. Kosie Venter shared a second-wicket partnership of 83 with Arthur before he was caught by England skipper Hugh Morris off the bowl- ing of Peter Such for 33. Chris Craven also struck an aggressive 37 off only 48 balls before he lofted a Darren Gough delivery to Lathwell at mid-off. The pick of the England bowlers was off-spinner Such, who was re- warded with 3/88 off 35 stamina-sapping overs bowled in swelter- ing Bloemfontein heat. Morris and his men can take scant comfort from an evening's rest before they face another uphill day against the fiery West Indian, Stephenson, and his rampant men. Contributed by vasa (Vasanthan.Dasan@*Sun.COM) ====> Day 3, MORE England A were left facing their second defeat in South Africa after a disastrous error by Mark Lathwell against Orange Free State. The out of form opener was bowled behind his legs for 29 offering no shot to spinner Nic Boje. Night watchman Paul Taylor was then out for nought in the same over to leave England 59-2 after the home side set them a massive 453 to win. Lathwell showed a glimpse of his undoubted potential with three exquisite fours but has now made only 154 in his last 12 innings. Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk) ====> Day 4, 17 Jan 94 The prolific John Crawley cracked another century to guide Eng- land A to a draw against Orange Free State Crawley made a classy 128 taking his tally for the tour to 675 before being caught behind trying to drive Bradley Taylor. England chasing 453 for an always unlikely victory finished on 321-5 when play was halted 14 overs early with the outcome inevitable. Left arm spinner Nick Boje earlier claimed his third wicket with the removal of Hugh Morris for 64 while Alan Wells was run out for 46 Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk)