England Avoids Follow-On

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30677, 17 February 1965, Page 18

England Avoids Follow-On

(N Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) PORT ELIZABETH, Feb. 16. England prevented South Africa enforcing the followon when the fourth day's play in the fifth and final test began today. Resuming at 278 for five in reply to South Africa’s 502, England needed another 25 runs to avoid the follow-on. These were scored without further loss of a wicket, and at lunch England was 349 for eight. Both overnight batsmen, N. C. Thomsori and M. J. K. Smith, were dismissed, and P. J. Parfitt also lost his wicket in the pre-lunch session. All three wickets fell to E. J. Barlow with the score at 346.

A splendid fourth-wicket partnership of 157 in 216 minutes between G. Boycott (117) and K. F. Barrington (72) saved England on the third day yesterday. They came together 10 minutes after lunch when E. R. Dexter was run out for 40. England’s first innings total was then 115 for three. They stayed together until 14 minutes before the close when both were dismissed in the space of five runs and 12 exciting minutes. Boycott’s innings was monumental in its patience as evidenced by his 7hr 3min at the crease. Although he batted slowly, it was a sound display of concentration and application. He scored his second test 100, his first in the series and his fourth on the tour.

The imperturbable Barrington batted solidly and his innings included nine boundaries. He became the first England player to total 500 runs in the series.

Two South Africans, K. C. Bland and E. J. Barlow, had achieved this earlier.

SOUTH* AFRICA First Innings .. 502 ENGLAND First Innings G. Boycott, c van der Msrwe, b BromNeld .. 117 J. T. Murray, lbw, b Macaulay .4 F. J. Tltmus, b F. Pollack 12 E. R. Oextar, run out .40 K. F. Barrington, c van der Merwe, b Goddard . 72 N. C. Thomson, c Waite, b Barlow . 38 M. J. K. Smith, c Waite, b Barlow .. 2* P. H. Parfitt, lbw. b Barlow .. 0 J. M. Parks, not out 2 O. A. Allen, not out .. 1 Extras -. 3* Total for eight wickets .. 340 Fall of wickets: one or 28, two for 52, three for US, four for 272, five for 2TT, six for 345, sevon for 34*, eight for 34*.