Much Safety-First Play

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30043, 30 January 1963, Page 12

Much Safety-First Play

[Specially written for the N.Z.P.A. by W. J. O’REILLY]

ADELAIDE, Jan. 29. England’s captain, Dexter, rattled Australia’s chances of victory in this test this afternoon when he dismissed Simpson and Booth in the same over just as these batsmen were beginning to capitalise upon a long, careful partnership.

When Australia batted the second time, R. Benaud chose safety-first methods. Lawry end Simpson started at a dead slow pace and the tempo never altered until Booth and Simpson set out to score at a run a minute in the last session of the day. Benaud faced a vexing problem. It is well, I suppose, to sermonise about brighter cricket methods when press interviews or public lectures are being given, but it is an entirely different situation when a test match—a vitally important one—hangs in the balance.

So heavily does the spell of Davidson’s absence hang over the Australian side that I feel certain today’s negative tactics were inspired s lely by the unhappy knowledge that the big fellow would not be on deck to claim his usual bag of wickets when it came England's turn to bat a second time.

Lawry’s form has gone down-grade so far now that his position in our side must surely be in jeopardy. As soon as he takes strike one can see English bowlers and fieldsmen concentrating purposefully on his leg stump. Both fast men, Trueman and Statham, are pelting them down straight into his right hip, inviting him to attempt to score round the corner on the leg side. That is just the place where Dexter stations the fieldsman who has worried the left-handed batsman so obviously since his Sydney dismissal Today, Lawry plodded, •tabbed, ducked, and scrambled as though he were a college boy over-awed with the nerve-racking atmosphere oi his very first appearance for his school Psychological Advantage The selectors must realise that unless Lawry can overcome the psychological advantage the English bowlers have over him at present, it would be highly dangerous for our Ashes prospects to saddle him with the responsibility of opening in the fifth test. Simpson acted the part of sheet anchor as though it suited him ideally. True, he showed some preliminary concern when Trueman. in one enthusiastic session, let a few bouncers fly at him, but he generally played solidly to instruction. Booth first hit upon the idea of dropping the safety-first tactics. As soon as be shaped up after tea he proceeded to get down pitch to the spinners and to hit them hard on the on side. This was a pleasant sign that the Australians considered playing tactics had gone far enough, that the time for action had come, that victory was still possible. Then Dexter struck Slmpeoß, Thm Booth

He bed Stapeoa caught oil an off-side snick which the Australian bad intended to get poet point, where the skipper had left a wide gap as bait. Then Booth, going tor a leg glance snicked his to toe wicketkeeper. Australia was back in toe doldrums and to tots of trouble. * must ba a matter of great concern tost Davidson's taffuence appears to be of such perammast importance to our team planning What happens from now on to r’ijmito to Davidson? His presence to toe Sydney test is esseottaL We had enough proof of tost today and when we were butting WK be be fit? There are no mote firttclass engagements for him before toe final test to which he can prove he has reciveved. The selectors will be chart about sending Mm into toe game unless they feel eertato be will see * through. I

suppose the final decision will have to be left to Davidson himself, and that would be by far the safest way. In Australia’s present frame of mind I can see no hope for success for her m a game to decide the Ashes unless Davidson is fit. If Davidson does play he will need to have better support than that intended for him in this Adelaide test.

It is hopeless to hoodwink ourselves that Mackey is a useful member of the attack. He bowls so ridiculously short of a length that he gives himself not the slightest chance of moving the ball usefully in the air. What baftsma® worth a second thought can be worried by a swinging ball pitched yards short of a length? Safety Tactics

Safety tactics were not con. fined to the Australian efforts. Dexter was in it too. He demanded extra long' efforts from bis fast bowlers and for a relief for them rolled up his own sleeves and delved into the job ait a rattling fastmedium pace. He looked long and carefully at Titmus before he decided to entrust him with the ball and Illingworth, who started the rot in Australia’s

first innings, did not get a bowl until the innings had been in progress three hours. In field placing, Dexter showed particular anxiety. As soon as a firm shot was played to the outfield, Dexter posted a man there. When Booth got cracking on Illingworth, he spread the field deeper then I have seen it spread by either side this season.

If the time available to her to score the runs for victory looks the least bit adequate, England will have to set her sights on victory. This opportunity cannot be missed. The pitch ’s just as good now as the day the match started. Drizzling showers have even preserved most of its original life. Fast bowlers can still get one to bounce iruterestingly. The spinners are getting nothing from it. As it stands now, I think Australia’s winning chances have disappeared altogether. England has a very slim chance that is bound up entirely with the clock. Australia will sell each of its remaining wickets at the “longest” possible price. If it can manage to stay there for an hour tomorrow this match should then proceed quietly on to a draw.