BOWLERS ON TOP IN VITAL THIRD TEST

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30028, 12 January 1963, Page 12

BOWLERS ON TOP IN VITAL THIRD TEST

English Batsmen Fail, Seven Out For 256

(lIJS. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, January 11. Australia took the first day honours in the crucial third test match against England today.

The Australian bowlers, in a persevering day-long performance on an unresponsive Sydney wicket, had England seven wickets down for 256 in its first innings at the close.

At one stage England was in a formidable position with 201 for three, bat then the Australian spinner, R. Simpson, broke through, and later A. K, Davidson drove home Australia’s advantage.

G. Pullar, in a marathon 207-minute Innings for 53 runs, steered England out of an early crisis after the loss of D. S. Sheppard’s wicket with only four runs scored. In stands with E. R. Dexter and M C. Cowdrey, Pullar put England on top. The turning point came when Simpson had Cowdrey caught behind the wicket attempting a cut when he had scored 85.

Second Break Through Simpson brought about the second break through when P. H. Parfitt turned a spinning ball into W. Lawry’s hands at leg slip. England’s stock nose-dived when Davidson, bowling with a new ball, sent back K. F. Barrington (35) and J. T. Murray in successive balls, both leg before wicket to sharp inswingers.

England was then 221 for seven, but F. 3. Titmus and F. S. Trueman staged a desperate last hour fight to frustrate Australia’s bowlers and partly restore England’s prospects.

Nevertheless, the Australians had enjoyed a highly successful day and if they can break through early tomorrow, could take the initiative in the test.

Simpson finished with the bowling honours—his 11 overs yielding the excellent figures of three for 41. Davidson had

three for 48, Trueman frustrating his hopes of a hat-

shortish ball that Pullar might have dispatched safely anywhere in the exposed legside field. No Risks Taken Cowdrey, an unbeaten 57 at tea. was stroking the ban fluently, but he seemed more concerned at staying than taking any risks. After tea. when England was 161 for three, Cowdrey and Barrington began to get on top of the bowling for the first time. They added another 40 runs in quicker time, but just when England looked set for a big score, the wicket tumbled. Cowdrey went at 201, Parfitt two run later, and Barrington and Murray with the score at 221. Titmus and Trueman had put on 35 runs at the close.

A crowd of 54,478—indicative of the tremendous interest in this all-important Ashes battle—-saw England fight for runs in a tense first session. It was slow going for the batsmen, the first half hour yielding only 12 runs, and the first hour 39 runs. Sheppard Caught Australia gained an early success with the capture of Sheppard’s wicket 11l at ease against Davidson, Sheppard twice played and missed before he edged a catch low into G. McKenzie’s hands at second slip. He scored three.

Dexter buckled down to the job of keeping out the keen Australian speed bowling. The newcomer, Guest produced some accurate economical overs, and Davidson and McKenzie gave the English batsmen a testing time.

K. Mackay was made twelfth man for Australia. Scores:— ENGLAND First Innings G. Pullar, c Benaud, b Simpson .. ..53 D. 8. Sheppard, e McKenzie, b Davidson ..3 E. R. Dexter, e Lawry, b . Benaud ..32 M. C. Cowdrey, c Jarman, b Simpson .. 85 K. P. Barrington, lbw, b Davidson ..35 P. H. Parfitt, e Lawry, b Simpson .. S F. J. Titmus, not out .. 28 J. T. Murray, lbw, b Davidson 0 F. 8. Trueman, not out .. 16 Extras .. .. 4 Total (for 7 wickets) 256 Fan of wickets: one for 4, two for 65, three for 132, four for 201. five for 203, six for 221, seven for 221. Bowline

But Dexter, in a more commanding mood than Pullar, gradually put England on top. He was in full stride when,

unaccountably, he lost his wicket trying to slash a ball from R. Benaud through the covers. The ball lifted a little and Lawny accepted a catch behind point. It was Dexter’s first dismissal for under 50 in seven successive test innings and Benaud’s wicket enabled the Australian captain to draw level with R. Lindwall as the leading Australian wickettaker with 228 victims.

Pullar, in a sheet anchor role, figured in stands of 61 with Dexter and 67 with Cowdrey. He was the only batsman to fall to the persevering Australian bowlers in the pre-tea session. Simpson had him caught forward of square leg by Benaud. It was a poor shot off a

O. M. R. W. Davidson .. 20 S 48 3 McKenzie .. IS 3 52 0 Gnest .. 10 0 51 0 Benaud 16 2 60 1 Simpson U 3 41 3