Thrilling conclusion in 100th North-South Argentina game
Tony Munro - 20 March 1999

The historic staging of Argentina's 100th North-South match received a climax befitting the occasion when North clinched a five-wicket victory with two balls to spare at Buenos Aires' Belgrano AC ground the Sunday before last. North required 144 runs for victory from 25 overs in their second innings, a task opener Murray Davis accepted by hitting seven boundaries and one six. His aggressive innings of 60 earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Earlier the first two days had been marred by rain, with several hours play lost.

South XI finished the first day in a reasonable position at 112-2. North XI overcame the loss of Dutch professional and key bowler, Mark Nota (pulled muscle), after a delayed start to the second day, with A.Perez-Rivero taking three key wickets through good line and length. South XI opener, Charles Gibson, narrowly missed a century (98) after receiving valuable support from Billy MacDermott (21) and Chris Tunon (24). Upon Gibson's dismissal, South XI captain, Martin Juarez, promptly declared his team's innings closed at 237-7.

Donny Forrester (65) and Alex Ferguson (38 n.o.) were the stars of the North first innings against an attack which had little influence. The innings was declared closed at 244-5, a lead of seven.

The South XI's second innings folded before fine bowling from Mark Nota (29-4) and Gerbon Zwaga (3-2-1-2), while Paul Ferguson (36-2) also bowled well.

Forrester again chipped, helping Davis secure victory in North XI's second innings with 23.

It was the culmination of a huge week for Argentine cricket, with visits by Clive Rice, Mickey Stewart and ICC Americas Development Officer, John Shepherd among the highlights.