England’s Hopes Of Victory Gone

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

England’s Hopes Of Victory Gone

. (Specially written tor the N.

ZJ>.A. t>v V

W. J. O'REIĹY.)

MELBOURNE, February 16. England regained a temporary winning interest in the fifth test today when It dismissed Mackay, Davidson and McDonald tor 55—but toot it hurriedly when . the enterprising Grout joined Benaud for a fine seventh-wicket partnership. ~ Australia finished its first innings 146 runs ahead, leaving England a task which its embarrassingly limited batting resources could scarcely hope to fulfil. Trueman took four wickets and brought his test aggregate to 99 wickets. Laker supported him efficiently in also taking four wickets. Foi* the first time in this series we have seen the hook shot played as everyone wants to see it Concentrating upon Trueman’s occasional bouncer. Grout danced lightly into the correct position and hammered it round the corner in a manner reminiscent of Stan McCabe. So confidently did he take the rising ball cleanly off his hip that Trueman eventually refrained from serving up the bait for him.

Some friendly advi-e from May. added to the bowler’a own painful observations, induced Trueman to keep the ball very well up to Grout Hi* exhibition of aggressive batting provided some of the most exhilarating ment cricket crowds have seen this season. It was grand to witness the revival of a shot which has always given glamour and box office appeal to the game. McDonald, Australia’s most consistent batsman of the aeries, carried his score to 133 but bad two lucky escapes. An easy catch from Laker was missed behind the wicket and a stumping chance that went astray deprived Mortimore of his first test wicket The importance of McDonald’s innings can easily ■ be gathered from the fact that by the time of his dismissal he had scored 2 runs out of every three. England’s fielding was very poor indeed. For Interest enthusiasm and effort, Truemgn

stood head and shoulders above them all. In spite of a fairly hard bowling assignment, Trueman fielded in a manner which might well have been set as an example for his team. No wonder the Melbourne crowd Showed their appreciation. Apart from Grout,’ nq batsman handled him comfortably. Laker had no easy job in this match. May marked him down aa ■ stock bowler whose responsibility it was to slow down the scoring rate. To do this Laker made good use of the slight breeze which allowed him to float the ball away from the bat. But he got little turn. Benaud played his best innings of this series. Content to let Grout chase runs, be was satisfied to play copybook cricket carefully in the role of running partner. But I could .not get the gist of his . decision to carry on these tactics when the last man, Rorks, joined him. An all-out attack then might ' well have landed him a century. Lindwall became Australia's ■ record wicket-taking bowler when he dean-bowled Bailey in his - first over. Bailey pushed forward i and missed an in-swinger which hit the off-stump, thereby giving , Lindwall his record and himself . “a pair” for the match. Lindwall bowled exceptionally > well. Twice he beat May with • speed and then had him caught at t first slip. The record will sit becomingly i on Lindwall's shoulders. He has ■ been a credit to Australian cricket i throughout his career and his I remarkable ability has never been questioned. I am quite sure my . comrade in arms. Clarrie Grim- . mett, will be quick to congratu- . late .him. And. mentioning Grim- . mett. it would be fair to add that . be did not take part in quite . so many tests as Lindwall. With the loas of two wickets for 22 in its second try. England's i hopes of victory have disappeared. I So much depends on Richardson. ■ Cowdrey and Graveney that Eng- ! tend looks certain to be given a final unpleasant reminder that its • batting needs some solid buttress- . ing before the INI fight for the i Ashes.