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M.C.C. BOWLS WELL

Improved Play At Melbourne

(Rec. 10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 7. England’s post-war cricket story followed its usual theme today when the bowlers again put the MJS.C. in a better position by taking seven Australian wickets for 167, leaving a margin of 38 in favour of the tourists. Whereas the Australian spinners put out the M.C.C. on Friday for 205, the pace of Bailey, Statham, and Bedser earned the Englishmen their success. The luck turned when Statham whipped down the first bail today getting McDonald lbw. In his next over Statham accounted for N. Harvey, who some people thought unfortunate to have the umpire’s decision against him.

As at Perth, May followed the Hutton policy of using the pace men, Statham and Bailey, in short spells, introducting a fresh attack for the new batsman. Statham always looked fiery. The bouncer was seldom used by anyone.

Bailey maintained his fine bowling record and consolidated Stathams start by dismissing Ray Harvey and de Courcy with consecutive balls, making the score 44 for four wickets. Then came a stubborn stand lasting 66 minutes by Briggs and Benaud. Briggs, keen to impress the Australian selectors, concentrated on defence but did not look as good as Favell did In the previous match.

Benaud followed up his much improved leg spin bowling, compared with the England tour in 1953, by giving technically his best display with the bat. Showing an upright style and a straight bat, more in keeping with the English tradition than modern Australian methods, he proved very severe whenever he decided to employ a pull dr on drive.

Good Bowling By Wardle It was during this Briggs-Benaud partnership that Wardle, although failing to obtain a wicket, began a grand spell keeping his end very tight from 2.30 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. His after-tea figures were 10 overs, 6 maidens, 10 runs, 0 wickets. Wardle flighted the ball well, using a packed off-side field with five men parallel to the pitch. Bedser had the satisfaction of removing the biggest menace—Benaud. For the most part the English fielding was keen with better long returns, but again there was one simple and vital catch dropped when Archer, stayed m 85 minutes, offered a simple chance off Bailey before scoring. It was from only the second ball he received—to Compton at backward short-leg. The dull batting must have been a bitter disappointment to the vast b H‘ ‘^ ey foUowed the tense struggle keenly.' ~ . ENGLAND First innings .. .. .. 205 AUSTRALIAN XI ~ , F ’rst Innings C. McDonald lbw. b Statham .. 4 R. Briggs, b Bailey N. Harvey, c Evans, b Statham " 4 c Edrich, b Bailey ” 7 J. De Courcy, lbw, b Bailey ” 0 R. Benaud. c Evans, b Bedser .. 4" R. Archer, b Bailey L; L. Maddocks, not out ’ ’’ ”24 I. Johnson, not out . Extras .. .. ” ”5 Total for seven wickets . .167 «. Pall o f w ickets: one for 12, two for IS Sm. 44 ’ flve for 110 ’ »«

Bowttng B. Statham .. S' » T T. E. Bailey . 171 3 S 4 ’ J. H. Wardle . 31 9 J? J A. V. Bedser ” 1J ? «

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19541108.2.85

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 11

Word Count
513

M.C.C. BOWLS WELL Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 11

M.C.C. BOWLS WELL Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 11