West Indies 252 For Eight In Final Test

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 14

West Indies 252 For Eight In Final Test

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 10. Australia was in a strong position at the end of the first day of the vital fifth and final test against the West Indies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today. At stumps, the West Indies had lost eight wickets for 252. They had been sent in to bat on a pitch which gave the Australian pace bowlers some life and lift, but the spinners, Benaud and Martin, struck the major blows for Australia by dismissing Kanhai, who made two centuries in Adelaide, for 38, and Worrell for 10.

However, Kanhai's wicket brought trouble for Australia as well He was caught at slip by N. Harvey, who slipped on the greasy turf as he moved to take the catch, injured the muscle at the back of his right thigh, which kept him out of the fourth test, and could not field again.

The biggest shock of the day came before play began when the two captains tossed, and Benaud decided to send the West Indies in to bat.

The Australian captain’s decision was in keeping with his policy of constant attack, and the West Indies’ score of 252 at the end of the day was a fitting reward.

The last time Bena'ud sent an opposing side in to bat in Australia was at Melbourne in the fifth test of the 1958-59 series against England, which Australia won comfortably. Steady Attack • The champion left-hander, G. Sobers, made a patchy 64, and with Lashley, put on 93 for the fifth wicket, as the West Indies fought grimly for runs against a steady, though far from hostile, attack. Sobers, the world test record holder, who scored 11 and 0 in the second test at Melbourne, began today as if he was doing his best not to better that effort, but he settled down slowly in spite of some edgy shots that had the closein fieldsmen diving to play an invaluable innings. He was finally out fer 64 to Simpson, against whom he was never at ease.

Lashley, playing in his first test in the series, scored a solid 41 before skying'a simple catch to Misson, off Benaud. Alexander, after a string of impressive test scores, and Gibbs, followed in quick succession, both scoring 11, and both falling to Misson. It was left to Solomon (21 not out) and Hall (five not out) to play out time. The Australians bowled well. The fast bowlers kept the ball just short of a good length and the spinners were able to turn the ball -a little. The West Indies found runs difficult to score. Many attacking strokes found the edge, and were responsible for much activity in the field. Misson, with three for 58 (all his victims being dismissed for 11) was the most successful of the Australian bowlers, while Benaud (two for 46), Martin (one for 29). and Simpson (one for 33) all played their part. Benaud’s decision to send the West Indies in to bat was fully vindicated. The official attendance was 46,225. Davidson Erratic . Hunte and Smith opened the innings against Davidson and Misson. Davidson’s length and direction were astray for most of his first over, from which Hunte scored two runs with an off-drive off a bull toss. Smith made an extraordinary shot off the seventh ball of Misson’s first over. The ball pitched just on his leg, lifted and reared and Smith went for a hook. The sharp lift of the ball took him by surprise and he was a little late with the shot. He connected as he slipped and fell, but swung the ball high over backward square leg, picked himself up and ran three. Smith was out, to the worst ball of the day. He hit a full toss, which slipped from Misson’s fingers, straight to O’Neill at cover, the only man in front of the wicket on the oti-side. Kanhai Dismissed

Kanhai and Hunte then took the score from 18 to 75 before Kanhai’s dismissal gave Australia a vital breakthrough nine minutes before lunch.

Kanhai, took 10 runs off Benaud’s first over and looked ready to tear the attack apart. He beautifully hit the first ball of Benaud’s second over for four, then leaned forward defensively to a slower, flighted delivery and was caught at slip by Harvey. Davidson had his first success after the adjournment. The seventh ball of the over was pitched a little short and lifted outside the off stump. Hunte went to cut and snicked it hard and straight to Simpson. Worrell’s Innings

Worrell began with two singles and then cover-drove for three to take the West Indies score to 90 for three. With the score at 107, Benaud brought the left-arm spinner, Martin, into the attack. Worrell went down on

one knee to sweep his sixth ball to leg, but badly mistimed the shot and the ball skied for Grout to run around to the off-side of the wicket to take the catch. After 220 minutes, the West Indies had scored 150 for four. Scores:— WEST INDIES

Total for 8 wkts 252 Fall of wickets: 1 for 18, 2 for 75, 3 for 81, 4 for 107, 5 for 200, 6 for 204, 7 for 221, 8 for 235.

First Innings C. Smith, c Misson O’Neill, b .. 11 C. Hunte, c Simpson, b Davidson 31 K, Kanhai C Harvey, b Benaud 38 G. Sobers, c Grout, b Simpson 64 F. Worrell, c Grout, b Martin 10 P. Lashley, c Misson, b Benaud 41 G. Alexander c McDonaid, b Misson 11 J. Solomon, not out 21 L. Gibbs, c Misson Burge, b 11 W. Hall, not out 5 Extras 9

Bowling O. M. R. W. F. Misson .. 13 2 58 3 A. Davidson .. 22 2 78 1 K. Mackay .. 1 0 1 0 R. Benaud .. 19 5 46 2 J. Martin .. 8 0 29 1 R. Simpson .. 12 2 33 1