Pleasant Pointer To Australian Prospects

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28766, 11 December 1958, Page 18

Pleasant Pointer To Australian Prospects

[Specialty written for the N.ZJPJ). by W J. O’REILLY.)

BRISBANE, December 10. Australia’s comfortable victory in the Brisbane endurance test sets a fairly pleasant pointer towards Australia's prospects for the whole series. With all the better of the running, starting with the initial luck of winning the toss, England failed badly in each department, especially in batting, to make a bold bid for victory. Their disregard for run-getting on Tuesday, when Bailey turned on his marathon vigil with the bat, ruined everything. May’s team has lost much more ground in this match than just the loss of the first test—important as that is.

By far the most promising feature of the game from the Australian angle was the magnificent batting of Norman O’Neill, who was deprived of the honour of making a century in His first test only by -the fact that no more than 71 runs were required of him to ensure victory for his team.

But O’Neill gave England the first taste of what can be expected of him later. This talented young batsman took full control of England’s attack, spinners and all, as soon as he commenced his splendid innings today. The power with which he smashed the bowling on either side of the wicket and the entertaining initiative with which he found openings in the field, lifted this game right up to the best test match standards. Effect on Morale

What does O’Neill’s effort mean to Australia? One can estimate the effect his innings has had upon the morale of his team as a whole, and at the same time, try to imagine what it has done to England’s bowling morale. I can well imagine the reactions of Laker and Lock. They will have recognised here a new batting champion who is going to give them more than their usual share of test match worries. And they will keep remembering that in Brisbane, their pet accustomed field placings have been scattered wholesale by a young man making his first test appearance. But Australians had better not run away with the idea that all is well with the team. There are some very disturbing features which need careful selector attention before the second test The bowling seldom reached a satisfactory standard. Mec'Hff showed that he needs some particularly hard work and conditioning before his second chance comes. He got away with it here. Five wickets make a pretty good tally for any test speed bowler, but that return cannot hide the fact that he bowled with no show of confidence and the field placing to his bowling was little more than guess work.

Kline, who made a splendid impression as an infielder, seldom caused trouble with his limited ability to spin. On the other hand, Benaud bowled his legbreaks better than I have seen him do before. Davidson bowled reliably. These two will need much more effective support than they got here. Benaud captained his side with distinction. It was quite inspiring to see the dignified and thoughtful manner in which he tackled every problem which arose and his handling of the baffling situation of Bailey’s "stand easy" tactics was worthy of a much more mature captain. It looks obvious now that the job belongs to Benaud for the remainder of the series.

The general standard of cricket here was below test rating. In this, England suffered most May and his selectors will be worried men lust now. Batting is their probletn. What they are going to do about their openers is the top question. Richardson and Milton have done so badly here that there will surely be a reshuffle. Mw^ment °t bis team’s Ca l f acl 3 y was cle »ny outlined in his decision— fatal as it promote Bailey to first d T£7“,. th * s«ond Innings. * Promotion will go as a hea-dly-under-hned bad mark on May’s reputa-

During the matches tobe played before the second test England will be concentrating keenly on lifting their batting out of the doldrums. They must do that if they wish to make a show of retaining the Ashes. They will have to make one tremendously important resolution to get on with the game from the outset. The ridiculous go-slow tactics employed in Brisbane are not worth while.

Australia’s job is to tighten up the bowling. I like Australia’s chances of winning back the Ashes. O’Neill’s attack upon England’s bowling has filled me with confidence.

tion as captain. That move had far tod much to do with England’s defeat. While Bailey was frittering away his time uselessly, vital runs were lost.

But there is this to be said: 1 suppose Bailey never has been able to play attacking cricket—not to my knowledge. So May surely brought all that upon himself when Bailey played characteristically. Of May’s handling of the game generally*.! was surprised at his obvious reluctance to throw both spinners, Laker and Lock, into the attack for one long drawn-out session. He kept bringing his pace men back when it was obvious that all hope of victory depended on the two slow men. Laker Rattled Lock bowled well for the greater part of his session, but not so Laker. For the first time since 1953, we have seen the off-spinner rattled enough to lose his deadly accuracy. O’Neill was responsible for that. His ability to get Laker away on the on side And through his famous leg field played havoc with the bowler’s confidence.