CRICKET TEST

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28001, 22 June 1956, Page 11

CRICKET TEST

Australians’ Good Start (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 21. Australia won the toss and made a good start in the second test against England on a bright sunny morning at Lord’s today. McDonald and Burke began steadily against the pace attack of Trueman and Statham, and the first hour produced 41 runs (McDonald 25, Burke 16). Considerable surprise was caused by the omission of Lock and Insole from the England team, but it is believed that Wardle may be more effective than Lock on a pitch that may not be very helpful to spinners. It had been expected that another batsman would have been omitted in favour of Insole. The team is:—

P. May (Surrey), captain, M. C. Cowdrey, P. E. Richardson, T. W. Graveney, W. Watson, T. E. Bailey, T. G. Evans, J. C. Laker, J. H. Wardle, F. S. Trueman, J. B. Statham. Twelfth man is Lock.

J. Rutherford was omitted from the Australian team, which is: lan Johnson (captain). C. C. McDonald, J. W. Burke, R. N. Harvey, K. R. Miller, P. Burge, K. Mackay, R. Benaud. R. G. Archer, G. Langley, P. Crawford. Crawford, who replaces the injured Lindwall, and Mackay are playing in their first test. Statham fell heavily when he bowled the first ball of t’ match and fell again in his second over, but he was not injured. Trueman gained some lift from the pitch, but both batsmen glayed the fast bowlers confidently, ailey was also usefl *3 varv the attack. The 50 came un in an hour and 25 minutes after p series of quick singles. Bailey twice hit Burke on the pads in on*- over, but his appeals were rejected.

Neither Statham nor Trueman appeared to be bowl’ng at his usual pace, and though the runs did not come quickly they came steadily England was obviously disappointed at the failure of the pace attack to break through. Laker was brought on after 95 minutes and he bowled two maiden overs to Burke. Statham continued from the other end and the scoring rate slowed. Wardle bowled the last over before lunch, but the openers were still together with 70 on the board when the players left the field. McDonald had scored 40 and Burke 30.