AUSTRALIA OUT FOR 289

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27048, 25 May 1953, Page 9

AUSTRALIA OUT FOR 289

Minor Counties Six For 27 (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. A continuation of the Australians’ record of finishing matches in two days is a certainty at Stoke, where the Australians started a three-day match against Minor Counties today. The pitch was not only soft after heavy rain, but also undulating. Australia, after having been sent in to bat, compiled 289. The Australian fast bowler, Ray Lindwall, then wrecked the Minor Counties first inings. They were six for 12 at one stage, and were six for 27 at stumps. Neil Harvey hit a brilliant century for Australia. He batted 158 minutes for 109 and hit 13 fours. The captain, Lindsay Hassett, playing his first match for nearly three weeks, scored 32 and de Courcy, who scored a chanceless 142 at Oxford in the last match, made an aggressive 40. The wicket played all sorts of tricks. Balls came off at various heights and spinners were able to tyrn sharply. Nevertheless, Harvey showing determined concentration and batted in splendid style. The Minor Counties batsmen had no answer to the pitch even though Lindwall ana Johnston bowled only half-pace.

Bowling: Taylor, 39 overs, 13 maidens, 71 runs, 5 wickets; Coomb, 20, 2, 53, 2; Pickett, 13, 2, 54, 0; Langdale, 10, 0, 42, 1: Johns, 17. 2, 55, 1.

Scores were:— AUSTRALIA „ . . First Innings C. McDonald, lbw, b Coomb .. 13 R. Benaud, b Taylor .. 20 N. Harvey, b Coomb .. 109 A. L. Hassett, lbw, b Taylor I. Craig, c Langdale, b Taylor .. 32 .. 7 J. de Courcy, lbw, b Taylor .. 40 R. Archer, c and b Taylor .. 24 A. Davidson, run out .. 29 D. Tallon, c and b Johns n R. R. Lindwall, c Taylor, b Lansdale 1 W. Johnston, not out .. 0 Extras .. 14 Total .. 289

MINOR COUNTIES First Innings G. August, c Lindwall, b Johnston .. 3 J. Keeler, c McDonald, b Johnston .. 1 C. Lee. b Lindwall 0 D. Johns, lbw, b Lindwall .. 0 G. Courtenay, b Lindwall .. 2 J. Crocket, b Lindwall .. 0 G. Langdale, not out .. 10 B. Barnett, not out ■ .. 5 Extras .. 6 Total for six wickets 27 Bowling: Lindwall, 6 overs, 2 maidens. 7 runs, 4 wickets: Johnston. 7. 5. 4. 2; Archer, 2, 0, 5, 0; Davidson, 1, 0, 5, 0.