CRICKET Australian Collapse In Oxford Match

Press, Volume C, Issue 29530, 3 June 1961, Page 15

CRICKET Australian Collapse In Oxford Match

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) OXFORD, June 1. The Australians lost three wickets in 10 minutes just before stumps tonight to finish with five for 281 on the rain-marred second day of,the match with Oxford University.

This minor collapse came in two overs from the offspinner, D. Pithey, who finished with three for six—after R. Simpson and W. Lawry had put on a 202 opening partnership. Simpson was in his best form of the tour and hit 148 while Lawry got 73, although he was not as confident as usual. The match ends tomorrow with the Australians 39 short of Oxford’s nine for 320 declared.

Simpson thrilled the small crowd of 1000 with his 15 fours and two sixes, but it was Pithey who provided the day's sensations when most of the crowd had gone home. He sent back P. Burge, bowled for 17. and B. Booth, brilliantly caught only a couple of yards from the bat at backward short-leg by the Nawab of Pataudi, and R. Benaud—the last two for ducks. The Australians did not score a run from him in his last six overs as he sent their score crashing from two for 274 to five for 280 in 10 minutes.

But, throughout it all, the imperturbable K. Mackay, who had been batting steadily, remained, and he will resume tomorrow with 43 not out, which included 9 fours. The Australians had earlier rattled up runs at better than a run a minute when the game was eventually resumed at 3 p.m. after morning and early-afternoon rain. Immediately Simpson showed that he intended to control the scene. He shot right away from his partner, W. Lawry, who suddenly seemed to lose touch today. OXFORD First Innings for nine decl. 320

G. McKenzie, not out .. 0 Extra (bye) .. .. 1 Total for five wkts. 231 Fall of wickets: one for 202. two for 229, three for 274, four for 280, five for 280.

County Games ( N .Z.P.A .•‘Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, June 1. Rain curtailed play in many of today’s county cricket matches. Scores:— * At Lords: Lancashire 306 for seven declared v. Middlesex 30 for one. At Gravesend: Kent 352 for nine declared v. Glamorgan 108 for two (P. Walker 54 not out). At Nottingham: Nottinghamshire 248 and 297 for seven declared (H. Winfield 79, C. Poole 57, J. Millman 52 not out) beat Combined Services 317 for nine declared and 188 (N. DurdenSmith 50. A. Buss 57). At the Oval: Gloucestershire 170 v. Surrey 269 for seven (Barringon 93, B. Constable ’3). At Bournemouth: Hampshire 137 and 208 for two (R. Marshall 138 not out) v. Somerset 239 (J. Lomax 50, P. Sainsbury six for 57). At Worcester: Sussex 299 and 195 (N. Gifford six for 83) v. Worcestershire 89 (N. Thompson five for 33) and 127 for two (M Horton 61 not out). At Ilford: Essex 201 and 256 for nine declared (G. Smith 75. T. Greensmith 52 not out) v. Leicestershire 111 and 57 for three. At Middlesbrough: Warwickshire 145 and 64 for two v. Yorkshire 270 (Close 50, J. Wilson 87).

AUSTRALIANS W. First Innings Lawry, c Fry, b Plachaud .. 72 R. Simpson, c Waters, b Piachaud 148 K Mackay, not out 43 p. Burge, b Pithey 17 B. Booth, c Pataudl. b Pithey 0 R. Benaud. b Pithey 0

Bowling o. M. R. W N. P. Thompson 11 0 56 0 A. Anderson .. 11 2 34 0 J. D. Piachaud 44 14 100 2 C. D. Drybrough 33 6 84 0 D. C. Pithey .. 10 7 6 3