CRICKET .

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24640, 9 August 1945, Page 6

CRICKET .

FOURTH VICTORY TEST AT LORD’S

AUSTRALIA 388; ENGLAND 249 FOR THREE

■.» LONDON,‘August 7. . The second day’s play In the fourth Victory Test between England and Australia at Lord's opened under a dull, grey sky. The ground was again packed. At lunch, Australia were all out for 388. Miller’s magnificent Innings for Australia ended at 118, after he had batted for three hours 15 minutes and hit 10 fours. , .

Brilliant batting by the opening pair, Hutton and Flshlock, and later enterprising scoring by Robertson, Hammond, and Washtrock, gave England a very good start In the chase after Australia’s first Innings total of 388. The game seems certain now to result In a draw. The Australians, with the exception of Pepper, did not score fast enough. It took Australia seven hours to knock up 388. England showed how favourable the wicket was to the batsmen by making 249 In exactly half that time. Hutton and Flshlock attacked the bowling from the outset and put on 73, the best first wicket stand for England qf the series. Robertson’s batting was excellent and Washbrook displayed his usual brilliance. Hammond was not so Impressive as usual. Australia was handicapped by the loss of the wicketkeeper. Slsmey, who Injured a hand. Extras for England so far to'tal 51. Australia—First Innings, 388 (Miller 118, Pepper 57, Pettlford 32). Bowling, Pope four for 83. Pollard four for 145, Roberts two for 39.

England—First innings 249 for three wickets at stumps (Hutton 35, Flshlock 69, Robertson 25, Hammond not out 38, Washbrook not out 31).