ENGLAND IN DIRE POSITION

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 13

ENGLAND IN DIRE POSITION

Lindwall Takes Two Early Wickets (Hi Press Association-Copyright) (Rec. 930 pan.) MELBOURNE, February J 6. Trailing Australia’s first innings'by 146, England at the end of the third day’s play in the fifth test was in dire straits, with T. E. Bailey and P. B. H. May out in the second innings with the score at 22. It was the veteran R. R. Lindwall who in two overs put England in a position from which it looks certain to suffer another defeat. He yorked Bailey with the fifth ball of his opening over, giving him a “pair” for the match. Then May, who got off the mark with a lucky snick through slips for 4, edged the third ball of Lindwall’s second over and was well caught at first slip. Australia at lunch today was in a tough spot, but in spite of having a new ball to face, was rescued by R. Benaud and W. Grout, who in a brilliant hardhitting innings added 115 for the seventh wicket.

Lindwall's two wickets carried his total in all tests tp 218—two ahead of C. V. Grimmett’s Australian record. Australia at 220 for six. led England by 15 runs on the first innings tat lunch. Three wickets were lost in the session before lunch for the addition of 70 runs with A. K. Davidson and C. C. McDonald out 10 minutes before the adjournment. McDonald, who was missed behind the wicket off J. C. Laker when 103, played magnificently after this blemish. He reached his century in 264 minutes, with four 4's.

K. Mackay was out with the addition of only four rims this morning when he leaned forward and pushed at a ball from Laker

which went from bat to pad and floated in the direction of silly mid-on. where T. W. Graveney threw himself at full stretch to hold a fine one-hpnded catch. Mackay’s fourth wicket stand with McDonald had added 71 in 124 minutes. After the chance McDonald batted aggressively, scoring with perfectly-timed square cuts and shots through mid-wicket. When Australia’s 200 came up in 324 minutes, McDonald’s contribution was 130.

Davidson looked quite comfortable, but was out to a shocking stroke when he attempted to back cut a ball of good length tand was bowled after a stay of 62 minutes during which he and McDonald put 0n"53 runs.

McDonald Caught Within two runs of Davidson’s departure. McDonald played a particularly weak stroke. In trying to late out Laker "he pushedthe ball slowly and straight into first slip’s hands, -His-innings of 133 took. 339 minutes and included seven 4’s. S

Benaud and Grout, after tearing the new ball bowling of F. R. Trueman and F. H. Tyson into shreds after lunch, batted throughout the session to add 115 in their unbeaten seventh ■ wicket stand and carry Australia's Score to 323 for six at tea.

So severe Were they on Trueman and Tyson that in their first 10 overs they made 62 runs, with Trueman's first five overs costing 31 runs. Grout, who had most of the strike, exploited his favdurite hook and pull strokes to perfection, posting his 30 in 85 minutes with six 4’s. At this stage Benaud was 30. Laker temporarily slowed the scoring rate but the 50 partnership was reached in 55 minutes. The 300 came in 442 minutes and the pair continued their onslaught by trouncing J. Mortimore,

whom Grout twice swept to the square leg fence and then hit high and straight down the ground for another 4. 160 Fartnerahip The 100 partnership came in 109 minutes, with tile last 80 in 54 minutes. At tea Grout had reached 73 and Benaud 42. Grout scored only one run after tea when he pushed forward defensively and was brilliantly caught by Trueman at silly midon. His seventh wicket stand with Benaud had put on 115 runs in 131 minutes and Grout in his innings of 74'had hit eight 4‘s. Lindwall stayed for 15 minutes without scoring before stabbing at a short pitched ball and was caught at short gully. Benaud was 48 as G. Rorke, the last man, came to the wicket. Benaud reached his 80 in 188 minutes and except for two legbyes he scored all of the 34 nine for the last wicket, before attempting a big sweep shot which he mistimed and skied th* ball tor the wicketkeeper to hold an easy catch. His innings of 84 took 184 minutes and included seven 4’s. ■Scores: AUSTRALIA First leatacs C. C-McDoitalS. . p w "• ajar*: ‘ „ N. O’Neill, e Cowdrey, b Tree- .. .. • I: S B. Benaud, e Rmtnin. b Laker M w :: 2 G. Borin, not out ..0 ■xtra* ; ; ... .. e Total .."m elSht tor »7, alee for SSI.

ENGLAND First Innins, .. 8M v Second Innins* P. B. Richardson, not out d T. E. Bailey, b Lindwall .. 0 P. B. H. May, e Barvey. b Lindwall 4 M- C. Cowdrey, not ent 4 Extra* .v .- * Total for two wickets . . St Fall ot wlcketa: one for 0. two for IS. Bowlins O. M. X. *. Davidson ... 3. S S S Lindwall .. * • S 3

F. 8. Trueman ""ft M. . IS -4 B. . M w. 4 F. H. Tyeen . W 1 n i J. C. Laker M 4 M i T. E. Bailey J. Mortimore . 14 2 . 11 1 fi ?