England Compiles Big Score Against Sth Africa

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30633, 26 December 1964, Page 15

England Compiles Big Score Against Sth Africa

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

JOHANNESBURG, December 25.

England, spearheaded by the magnificent batting of R. W. Barber, E. R. Dexter and K. F. Barrington, compiled 531 in the second test against South Africa at Johannesburg.

Bad light cut play short yesterday, as on the first day, and South Africa had replied with nine for no wicket at the close.

After the loss of G. Boycott for only 10 runs on Wednesday, England brilliantly recovered, thanks to a second-wicket partnership of 136 between Dexter and Barber, followed by a thirdwicket stand of 191 between Dexter and Barrington.

Dexter played one of the finest innings of his career when he hit a masterly 172. It was a welcome return to form for England’s vicecaptain, who had yet to score a century on the tour. Subdued and uncomfortable at the start—his first 50 took nearly two hours and a half—Dexter launched out later with a great array of magnificent strokes, and when play was stopped 23 minutes early on the first day because of bad light, it was a merciful end for the South Africans. Barber Commanding Dexter came in after the pace bowler, P. M. Pollcek, who passed a fitness test just before the start, had dismissed Boycott. In the partnership that followed Barber completely overshadowed Dexter, scoring 97, his highest test score, in two hours 20 minutes. The stand realised 136 and afterwards Dexter began to show more aggression, eventually scattering the Springbok fielders to all corners of the field. Barrington allowed Dexter to dominate the batting, and bided his time in selecting the right ball to hit and then thumped it hard. The only time the brisk rate of scoring was slowed was when Pollock and J. T. Partridge came on with the second new ball. Only 19 runs were scored in 40 minutes before tea, but after the interval the total moved along rapidly again.

Dexter was caught at the wicket for 172 after England had added only eight runs yesterday to its overnight 329 for two. He and Barrington put on 191 in 216 minutes for the third wicket. With Dexter’s dismissal, Barrington took over the role as aggressor and reached his twelfth test century after batting just over 4| hours. Barrington followed up his unbeaten 148 in the first test at Durban with 121 (one six, 16 fours) in five hours 28 minutes. P. H. Parfitt also batted well for 52. Pollock Best Bowler South Africa curbed the run rate and snatched quick wickets towards the end of England’s innings yesterday, but England’s total exceeded its 485 for five declared in the first test at Durban, when it won by an innings and 104 runs. P. M. Pollock was South Africa’s star. He finished with five for 129 in 38.3 overs, taking four for 64 in 19.3 overs yesterday. Pollock sent back Barring-

ton when the South African’s younger brother, Graeme, took a difficult catch on the boundary. Scoreboard:—

ENGLAND First Innings G. Boycott, c Lindsay, b P. M. Pollock 4 R. W. Barber, b Seymour .. 97 E. R. Dexter, c Lindsay, b R. G. Pollock .. .. X 72 K. F. Barrington, c R. G. Pollock, b P. M. Pollock 121 P. H. Parfitt, c Goddard, b Partridge .. 52 M. J. K. Smith, c McLean, b Goddard .. 25 J. M. Parks, lbw, b R. G. Pollock . 26 F. J. Titmus, bP. M. Pollock 2 D. A. Allen, lbw, b P. M. Pollock ..2 N. I. Thomson, not out .. 27 J. S. E. Price, b P. M. Pollock 4 Extras (l.b. 3) .. ... 3 Total .. 531 Fall of wickets: One for 10, two for 146, three for 337, four for 419, five for 467, six for 473, seven for 484, eight for 490, nine for 526.

SOUTH AFRICA First Innings T. L. Goddard, not out ... 0 E. J. Barlow, not out .. 9 Total for no wicket 9

Bowling a. M. R. w P. M. Pollock 38.3 10 129 5 Partridge 40 10 106 1 Goddard 31 8 90 1 Seymour 34 9 109 1 Barlow 8 2 33 0 R. G. Pollock 11 1 50 2 Bland 4 1 11 0

Bowling W. 0. M. R. Price ..2 2 0 0 Thomson .2 0 9 0