M.C.C. OUT FOR 205

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 7

M.C.C. OUT FOR 205

Batsmen Again

Fail (NJZ. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov 5. The M.C.C. batsmen gave another 'deplorable display in the test trial here today, when the Australian XI dismissed them for 205 ln> 280 minutes. One redeeming feature was the improvement by Simpson, whose 74 was full of delightful fluent strokes, including 10 boundaries. With Edrlch again unable to prove his worth. Simpson seems most likely to be Hutton’s test partner. Simpson, Edrlch, Compton and May got themselves out with bad strokes against deliveries deficient in length and direction. As soon as the Australian spinners, Johnson and Benaud, pegged down the batsmen in a runsaving field, the Englishmen became impatient. Simpson, bead up, skied a long hop. May, when well set and playing extremely well (he drove magnificently), pulled a short ball straight into a fielder’s hands forward of short

Gilson preferred to divert the ball] around the corner instead of playing forward.

Just before 3 o’clock nine wickets were standing with the score at 110, but the last eight wickets fell for 94. Because of -the long tall, Graveney had made only 15 when he was joined by the last man, Statham, who stayed for 20 minutes.

The success of the Australian spinners is significant when the M.C.C. is banking on pace. lan Johnson, on trial for return to the Australian team and possible test captaincy, enjoyed a great triumph with six wickets for 68, including 'five for 30 after tea. Johnson looked more difficult than in Perth, where be took three wickets in one innings. After lunch, the ball hung in the heavy atmosphere, and he also obtained occasional lift. Benaud clearly will be a valuable all-rounder in the Australian team. Maddocks. slimly built, did splendidly behind-the stumps, but is unlikely to supplant Langley, who is a firm favourite. Bedser looked very stiff in his opening over and needs much work, but he worried Briggs. Scores were:— ENGLAND First Innings * R. T. Simpson, c and b Benaud .. 74 W. J. Edrlch, c Neil Harvey, b Johnson .. .- .■ .. 11 P. B. H. May. c Drennan, b Archer .. 45 D. C. S. Compton, c Maddocks, b Benaud .. .. 16 J. V. Wilson, c Archer, b Benaud .. 6 T. W. Graveney, not out .. ..22 .T. E. Bailey, c McDonald, b Johnson 4 T. G. Evans, b Johnson .. .. 1 J. H. Wardle, b Johnson .. .. S A. V. Bedser, b Johnson .. ■ ■ 3 B. Statham, c Nell Harvey, b Johnson 13 Extras ..2 Total .. • • ■ ■ 205 Fall of wickets: one lor 48, two lor 111, three lor 135, tour lor 153, five lor 159, six tor 168, seven tor 168, eight lor 181, nine lor 185, 10 lor 205.

Bowling O. M. R. W. Drennan 8 1 27 0 Archer .. .. 12 4 22 1 Johnston .. 11 2 30 0 Johnson Benaud " *.*. 19 4 58 3 AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN First Innings ) McDonald, not out .. 4 Briggs, not out .. 5 Extras - .. •• >. 3 Total for no wickets .. . *"12 Bowling O. M. R. J w. Statham Bedser ..3 .. 3 2 1 4 5 s