Expensive Runs

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28767, 12 December 1958, Page 22

Expensive Runs

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE, Dec. 11. The 77,470 persons who paid to watch the first test between Australia and England, which ended in Brisbane yesterday, probably saw the most expensive runs in cricket history, the Melbourne "Herald's” cricket writer said today. “For the doubtful privilege of watching the world’s two leading cricketing teams spectators paid £A3o.4ooo—roughly £4lO a run for the 665 runs scored, the writer said. “In 1450 minutes of play, a run was scored about every two minutes. “The match produced the lowest total of runs scored in a test against England in Australia since the 19031904 series when 542 runs were made in four completed innings at Melbourne in three days. "In that match a rain-sodden ground delayed play on the second day, but the third day favoured the bowlers, 16 wickets falUng for 221 runs. V “In the England-South Africa test series in 1956-57, generally regarded as the dullest ever, England averaged 32.59 runs an hour and South Africa 29.04 runs an hour. “In this week’s match, Australia averaged a little less than 33 runs an hour and England just under 26. This worked out at about two and a half runs an over for Australia in its first innings and nearly three an over yesterday.” he said. “England’s figures are worse—a little more than two runs an over on Friday, but only one and a half during the ‘dead march’ on Saturday and Monday. “There must be a remedy for such scoring somewhere. McDonald and O’Neill proved in both Australia’s innings that runs can be made with scoring strokes. "Against the England attack, such strokes are admittedly hard to make,” the writer said. "But the only way for Australia to win this series and to ensure the game is kept bright will be to back up Benaud’s policy of 'keeping busy.’ ”