RECOVERY BY AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29401, 31 December 1960, Page 13

RECOVERY BY AUSTRALIA

Great Fight In Second Test (N.Z. Press Association—-Copyright) MELBOURNE, December 30. After losing most of its top batsmen cheaply, Australia fought back to score 348 and have the West Indies 1 for one wicket on the first day of the second test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today. On a pitch which gave little assistance to the bowlers, the West Indies put up a great performance to have Australia 251 for eight, but thert K. Mackay, the sheet-anchor of the Australian side, and the perky little bowler, J. Martin, playing his first test, took charge of the West Indies bowling, and Australia scored 348.

In a great day's cricket, watched by 31,000 people, fortunes see-sawed. The giant West Indies fast bowler, W. Hall, gained an early victim when C. C. McDonald touched a ball outside his off-stump and was well caught by C. Watson at first slip for 15.

R. N. Harvey followed and played a couple of glorious strokes before he slashed wildly at a ball from F. M. Worrell, touched it, and was caught at first slip by G. Sobers. Australia was 60 for two.

R. Simpson, the other opener, had started shakily against Hall, who was really venomous, and Watson, bowling very accurately. But Simpson and N. O'Neill began to score well, and Simpson opened up with a few glorious off-drives before he touched a ball from Hall and was caught behind by G. Alexander for 49 L. Favell followed and soon began to score well to all parts of the field. With O’Neill in fine form, this pair delighted the crowd with fine driving and cutting and sharply run singles. The crowd groaned with disappointment when O’Neill touched a ball from Worrell and Sobers took another fine catch. Mackay joined Favell, who continued to pile on the runs. But then he cracked a ball from Sobers to leg and S. Nurse held a hot catch a few inches off the ground. Favell was out for 51 and Australia was 189 for five. Then came Davidson, who is in great form with the bat and ball. Davidson attacked the bowling immediately and cracked four delightful 4s and a mighty 6 off Valentine before he was out, bowled by Hall, for 35, made.in even time.

In the same over, Hall smashed a full toss past the bat of Australian captain, R. Benaud, who scored only 2. W. Grout was out soon afterwards, bowled by a beautiful ball from Watson, and Australia was 251 for eight and looked like being all out soon afterwards. But Martin, the leg-spin bowler from New South Wales, collared the bowling after an uncertain start and began to hit freely to all parts of the field. Threes and 4s reeled off his bat and Mackay abandoned his usually defensive role to join Martin in attacking the bowling. The crowd roared their delight when Martin hammered a ball from Worrell over long-on for six. The score raced past 300 and into the 340's before both batsmen were bowled and Australia was all out for 348.

Martin's 55 was a great introduction to test cricket, and he looks certain of a trip to England next year. Mackay, the Queensland captain, showed his fighting spirit once again. This season he is batting much more aggressively than in past years, and is in great form. The colourful Hall bowled magnificently. Only Davidson hit him freely, and he claimed Davidson's wicket. His figures of four for 51 off’l2 overs in temperatures above 100 degrees are a tribute to his energy and ability.

The invaluable Worrell, the West Indies captain, was persistent and accurate in taking tyo for 50 and he handled his bowlers and fieldsmen very well.

The versatile G. Sobers did not bowl with very much luck in taking one for 88. and C. Watson was always accurate. He finished with one for 73. A. L. Valentine did not worry the batsmen much and K. T. Ramadhin was little used.

Davidson struck a timely blow for Australia when he captured the wicket of Solomon in the only over bowled this afternoon in the West Indies first innings. A huge crowd is expected for tomorrow’s play. Scores:—

AUSTRALIA First Innings C. McDonald, c Watson, b Hall . 15 R. Simpson, c Alexander, b Hall 49 N. Harvey, c Sobers, b Worrell 12 R. O’Neill, c Sobers, b Worrell .. 40 L. Favell, c Nurse, b Sobers .. 51 K. Mackay, b Ramadhin .. 74 A. Davidson, b Hall .. ..35 It. Benaud, b Hall .. .. 2 W. Grout, b Watson .. ~ 5 J. Martin, b Valentine .. ~ 53 F. Misson, not out .. .. 0 Extras (byes 4, leg-byes 5, noball 1) .. .. io Total .. .. ..348 Fall of wickets: One for 35, two for 60, three for 105, four for 155, five for 189, six for 242, seven for 244. eight for 251, nine for 346.

WEST INDIES First Innings C. Hunte, not out .. 1 J. Solomon, c Grout, b Davidson 0 Extras .. .. .. 0 Total for one wicket .. 1 BOWLING O. M. R. W. Davidson (0 11

BOWLING O. M. R. W. w. Hall .12 2 51 4 c. Watson 12 1 73 1 G. Sobers 1 88 1 F. Worrell 9 0 50 2 A. K. L. Valentine T. Ramadhin ii.1 i 5 0 55 1 21 1