Date-stamped : 25 Jul96 - 02:17 Tour Match Gloucestershire v South Africa 'A' Cheltenham 24 July 1996 ====> REPORT Tour Match: Composed Symonds unable to lift Gloucs By Geoffrey Dean at Cheltenham South Africa A (297-8) bt Gloucs (269) by 28 runs The South Africans discovered, like England and West Indies last year, that international attacks bring the best out of Andrew Symonds. His beautifully controlled 84 off 70 balls was the best innings of a thoroughly entertaining match which the tourists won less comfortably than the margin suggests. Indeed, until Symonds was sixth out with 98 wanted from 12 overs, Gloucestershire had a realistic chance, for the pitch was a belter and the outfield like glass. What really decided the outcome was South Africa`s fielding - two notably executed run-outs in mid-innings were crucial, as was the excellent catch at long off to dismiss Symonds. The other key difference between the sides was Brett Schultz. He beat the bat numerous times in a lively opening spell of 8-2-23-1 as well as forcing Rob Cunliffe to retire hurt following a blow to the hand. Much less influential than Schultz was Paul Adams, who had to be taken off after three overs when Monte Lynch hit him for three fours and a six. None of the South Africans had matched Symonds`s rate of scor- ing. Herschelle Gibbs, with 55 off 60 balls, and Jacques Kallis, 60 off 71, profited from some poor bowling early on to score at six an over. Later Derek Crookes and Hylton Ackerman bludgeoned 99 together in 14 overs. Martyn Ball was much more impressive. Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by Shash (shs2@*.cwru.edu)