DRAWN MATCH AT MELBOURNE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26886, 12 November 1952, Page 9

DRAWN MATCH AT MELBOURNE

Rain Interferes With Play

(Rec. 8.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 11. Rain cut short the South Africanf* game against Victoria at Melbourne Cricket Ground, giving them their third successive araw. In a keen 75 minutes play before lunch today. South Africa lost three wickets for 55 runs. With 71 far four wickets when the game was abandoned after lunch, because of more heavy rain, the team appeared to be struggling for runs. South Africa then needed 114 more, with six wickets left, to defeat Victoria—a tough task in a low-scoring match.

Wet conditions today hampered the batsmen Ly softening and slowing the outfield, and the bowlers by making the ball sodden and slippery and the grip uncertain. As D. Ring. Victoria’s acting-cep-tain, and D. J. McGlew, the South African acting-captain, ruefully surveyed the muddy strips of turf alongside the wicket —which had been covered and was still hard and good—about noon, the starting time today. Ring said: “Hang it all, let’s give cricket a shot ana play.” McGlew rapidly and spontaneously agreed.

South Africa’s second wicket partnership was resumed from Saturday on a cautious but sound note, and was worth 41 before McGlew, who had shown deft footwork to the spin bowlers, J. Iverson and Ring, went out lbw to Ring for a 12 which was worth more than its face value. W. Endean, Who produced some crisp on-side shots, went on to make a workmanlike 35 in 95 minutes.

R. A. McLean again failed to get going, but hit three fours in his 18. The Victorian spin bowlers, Iverson. Ring and lan Johnson, found it hard to turn the greasy ball today, but they showed good control and gave nothing away, especially with their attacking fields. Perhaps the South Africans were a bit lucky, but they had continued to display the admirable fighting qualities whjch enabled them to recover against South Australia. Their bowling, which had been suspect, rose to the occasion grandly, but their batting let them down in the first innings. It was no small feat to dismiss Victoria twice for an aggregate of 297. Tomorrow evening the South Africans will leave Melbourne by train for Sydney, to begin a four-day match against New South Wales on Friday. Scores were:— VICTORIA First innings .. • • IM Second innings .. •. 159 SOUTH AFRICA First innings . • 113 Second Innings D. J. McGlew, lbw, b Ring .. 12 J. H. White, lbw, b Loxton .. 2 W. Endean, c lan McDonald, b Loxton .. .. 35 R. A. McLean, b Bill Johnston .. 18 G. Innes, not out g J. Watkins, not out .. 0 Extras (1 bye, 1 leg-bye) .. ? Total for four wickets .. 71 Fall of wickets: one for 2. two for 43, three for 65, four for 71. Bowling.—Bill Johnston. 8 overs, 4 maidens, 16 runs. 1 wicket; S. J. Loxton, 8. 1, 19, 2; J. Iverson, 4. 0. 19, 0; D. Ring. 6,3, 8, 1; lan Johnson, 3,1, 7, 0.