Barber, Edrich Give M.C.C. Bright Start

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30895, 30 October 1965, Page 17

Barber, Edrich Give M.C.C. Bright Start

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright? PERTH, rhe M.C.C. openers, R. W. Barber and J. H. Edrich, yesterday thrashed the Western Australian pace attack on the first day of the opening match of the Australian tour.

In an exhilarating first hour they scored 82 runs—one of the brightest starts ever pu on by a touring side Showing no respect for the Australian test bowlers, G. D McKenzie and L. Mayne, the English pair thrilled the crowd with powerful batting. At the end of the day the MC.C. had scored 332 for five wickets. Barber having completed his centu and W E Russell making 81. Barber, who hit 12 boundaries in an innings of just under three hours, was assist-

ed by Edrich in an opening partnership of 91 and by Russell in a seeond-wicket stand of 106. The Warwickshire opener is the first M.C.C. player to score a century in his first first-class match in Australia since D. B. Close got his hundred against Western Australia on the 1950-51 tour The M.C.C., batting first on a true pitch in a hot sun after winning the toss, put on the first 100 runs in 85 I minutes and continued to (keep the scoreboard rolling

swiftly. At tea the score was 237 for three.

M.C.C, First Innings R. W. Barber, c and b Jenner 126 J. H Edrich, c Becker. b Mayne 33 W. E Russell, c Becker, b Mayne 81 P. H. Parfitt, b Jenner 6 M. C. Cowdrey, c Lock, b 19 McKenzie J. M. Parks, not out 37 M. J. K. Smith, not out 24 Extras 6 Total for five wickets 332 Fall of wickets : One for 91. two for 197, three for 225 for 270, five for 272. Bowling four 0. M. R W. Mayne .. 20 0 90 2 McKenzie .. 16 2 76 1 Irvine .. 3 0 23 0 Lock .. 22 3 65 0 Jenner .. 20 3 72 2