CRICKET Australian Attack To Face Vital Test

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 6

CRICKET Australian Attack To Face Vital Test

IN Z Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, May 29. The Australian attack will face one of its most vital tests today when it opposes the M.C.C. at Lord’s. It will meet at least three batsmen who could face them in the first test at Edgbaston on June 8. Topping the list is C. Cowdrey. who will certainly play for England. This will be the first time he has met the Australians on this tour. Cowdrey’s meeting with A. Davidson and G. McKenzie should be one of the highlights of the day's play. Davidson and McKenzie will bear the brunt of the attack because R. Benaud intends to bowl again only in short spells. He is receiving daily heat treatment for the inflamed tendons of his right shoulder and he does not want to agravate the trouble. K. Mackay, R. Simpson and N. O'Neill will probably be called on to contribute something to the Australian attack also. It wiH be the Australians’ first meeting with M. Smith and R. Subba Row on this trip. Smith is in fine form and at one stage was considered a possibility for a 1000 runs in May. but he missed big scores in a couple of his recent innings. K. Barrington had two innings against the Australians in the Surrey match. In the

first he was caught by Simpson off McKenzie for four and in the second he was run out for 43. P. Marner, another top batsman, hit an aggressive 87 in Lancashire's first innings against the Australians. This score included three sixes. Marner made 22 in the second innings.

M. Horton is another who has faced the tourists before. He made 14 and 20 for Worcestershire and was bowled by Benaud both times. The M.C.C. will open its innings at the start of play after Benaud's declaration at the Australians’ Saturday score of five for 381.