Australia Needs To -Double Present Score

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28792, 13 January 1959, Page 10

Australia Needs To -Double Present Score

tSptetaUy written for the KJgJ’jl. by W. J. O’REILLY.]

STDKFi. January 12. In a day's bitter struggle against England’s spin attack the Australian batsmen failed to drive home the advantage their bowlers had achieved in dismissing England for 219 runs. It was well for the Australians that Sydney’s pitch was so slow' Laker and Lock provided trouble enough with spin alone—lift and life in the pitch would have certainly given them a field day Trueman bowled the first over of the day and discovered that there were no opportunities for advancement for hard-working fast bowlers The ball came through stump-high at a friendly pace no matter what effort was pat into the delivery.. It was a different matter when Lock took over from Statham. His second ball hit the edge of Burke’s bat and the third turned sufficiently to encourage Lock to bowl round the wicket. English left-handers seldom bowl round the wicket in Australia for the simple reason that they generally find it too difficult to get the ball to turn, off the pitch. That over set the pattern tor the remainder of the day’s Play. The Australian openers adopted eurious tactics against Laker when his turn eame. McDonald moved down the pitch to him even before the ball was bowled. For one ball he was down the pitch so quickly that Laker had time to change his mind about the delivery. Burke did not survive Laker’s attack for long. He was out to that forward lunging leg glance which brought him trouble more than once in England in the 1956 series. Lock took a catch easily at short fine leg. Burke earlier had been rather badly missed behind the wickets from a leg glance off Trueman. McDonald batted pluckily. Setting himself to the unaccustomed task of getting right down the wicket to smother Laker’s spin with the hope of putting the bowler off his accurate length, he certainly attempted the only positive piece at batting policy seen during the day. Nothing went right for Harvey. Not once did be show n sign of his Melbourne form. The ball simply refused to go in the direction he intended it Even his jwing shots to leg failed'to connect—a sure sign that the spinners were doing a magnificent job. It fell to O’Neill, ably supported by FavelL to break the spell woven by Laker and Lock. O’Neill, subdued almost beyond recognition, turned on the most important test innings of his short career There was a certain amount of glory in his splendid Brisbane innings, but his effort stamped him as a truly ffrsat player. sssy matter even for a lifted young player to take over

the full responsibilities of batting his team out of impending disaster. It is less easy when the situation arises in a young man's third test

Neither Laker nor Lock made any impression on him. He played them with amazing confidence, following and killing the spin and whenever he went defensively on the back foot to them he showed how to take full value from the slowness of the pitch England did not have any luck. Its bowlers did a grand job, but they were never fully supported by the field.

Laker turned the ball beautifully and bowled consistently at the off stump, making the Australians struggle grimly for every run they scored from him. Bowling into the wind he floated the ball away provokingly at times, but it must be admitted that apart from spinning there was nothing to make his job an easy one.

The manner m which he ano Lock were able to reduce scoring rate for the greater part of the day was testimony to their splendid tradesmanship. This England team cannot lay claims to fielding ability. Their movements are generally slow and their throwing is far below the Australian standard in this series.

The Australian bowling has been supported by magnificent catching, brought about by lively anticipation and aggressive field placing. England’s bowlers have never had that advantage on this tour. y Prospects in this game are about Level Australia needs many more runs yet in this innings. Favell looks likely to carry on his innings.

But the tail-enders will need to come to light this time. A good first innings score will settle this match in Australia’s favour. If Australia can double its present score England’s chances will have faded out.