South Africa Set Huge Task

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30339, 15 January 1964, Page 14

South Africa Set Huge Task

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY, Jan. 14. The stage *is set for a tense finish to the third test match between Australia and South Africa on the final day in Sydney tomorrow. And the odds appear to slightly favour Australia. Australia, 450 for nine wickets declared in its second innings, set South Africa the task of scoring 409 runs to win. In 71 minutes at the wicket today South Africa scored 61 runs for the loss of the opening batsman. E. G. Barlow. ’Die pitch is still in good condition but there are signs that it is taking increasing spin. The Australians will look to veteran R. Benaud and his leg spinners in their victory bid tomorrow. The South Africans need to score at the rate of about 57 runs an hour to win. Benaud was Australia’s hero today. He hit a sparkling 90 when Australia's fortunes appeared to be slumping and shared a great stand

of 160 in 168 minutes with G. McKenzie. The partnership was only five runs short of Australia’s highest for the seventh wicket in a test: 165 made by Clem Hill and Hugh Trumble in Melbourne in the 1897-98 series against England. McKenzie contributed a dashing 76. Benaud hit five boundaries in his 189 minutes at the wicket. The pair came togethe’ after Australia had lost B. Booth (16) and B. Shepherd (11) in quick succession this morning. They both fell victim to the fast-medium bowler, J. T. Partridge. McKenzie soon eclipsed his previously highest score in test cricket—39 against South Africa at Brisbane in ‘the current series. He hit two magnificent sixes —the second into the member's stand off the off-spinner. D. B. Pithey. The Penaud-McKenzie partnership easily eclipsed the previous record stand for the wicket against South Africa, of 65 by Victor Trumper and Warwick Armstrong in Adelaide in 1910-11. Rain delayed play for 29 minutes in the pre-lunch session but the early threatening weather disappeared for most of the day. Clouds began gathering towards the end of play but there was no

appeal against the light as on other days of the maitch. South Africa tried all their top bowlers against Benaud and McKenzie but made little impression once the pair were settled. The off-spinner, A. J. Pithey. and T. L. Goddard pinned them down eariy in the afternoon, but the two Australian batsmen punished anything loose to maintain a good scoring rate. McKenzie tried to keep the rate going after Benaud had gone but he and Hawke put on only 12 before Partridge had him caught. A. W. Grout came in and smote the ball to score a rapid eight but when he lost his wicket, again off the bowling of Partridge, Australia declared. Goddard and Barlow scored briskly tor South Africa, but the Springboks suffered a sharp reverse to their chances of winning the test when Barlow was dismissed for 35. Scores: AUSTRALIA First innings ..260 Second Innings R- Simpson, tow, b Raise .. 31 W. Lawry, c R. G. Pollock, b Goddard . 89 N. O’Neill, c Barlow, b Partridge .. 88 P. Borge, c Waite, b P. Pollock ~ .. 13

B. Booth, b Partridge 16 B. Shepherd, c Waite, b Partridge .. 11 R. Benaud, c D. Pithey, b P. Pollock .. 90 G. McKenzies, c Van der Merwe, b Partridge .. 76 N. Hawke, not out .. 6 A. W. Grout, c Bland, b Partridge 8 Extras (8 byes, 8 legbyes, 1 wide, 5 noballs) .. ..22 Total for nine wickets declared 450 Fall of wickets: One for 58. two for 198. three for 235, four for 235, five for 259, six for 264, seven for 424, eight for 436. nine for 450. Rnwlinsr

SOUTH AFRICA First innings .. 302 Second Innings T. L. Goddard, not out .. 24 E. 1. Barlow, c Simpson, b Hawke .. 35 D. B. Pithey, not out 2 Total for one wicket 61 Fall of wicket: One for 57.

P. M. Pollock O. M. R. W. 24 0 129 2 J. T. Partridge 32.5 4 123 5 T. L. Goddard n 3 20 1 C. G. Haise .. 15 2 58 1 A. J. Pithey .. 16 1 86 0 K. C. Bland .. 1 0 7 0 A. J. Barlow .. 1 0 5 0

Bowling O. M. K. W. G. McKenzie . 4 0 29 0 A. Connolly 4 0 18 0 N. Hawke 5 2 9 1 R. Benaud 4 2 5 e