S. Africa Dismisses Australia For 147

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31275, 23 January 1967, Page 3

S. Africa Dismisses Australia For 147

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) DURBAN. “The third test is not lost yet,” the Australian captain, R. Simpson, said after his team’s blackest day of the South African tour.

South Africa, in four and a half hours, bundled Australia out for 147.

South Africa, all out for 300 in its first innings, holds a 153-run first innings lead and can enforce the follow-on today, the third day of play.

The Springbok captain, P. van der Merwe, said last night: “I’ll make up my mind whether to send the Australians back in on Monday morning.” Three days remain and the decision is a ticklish one for van der Merwe. If he chooses to bat again he can build up a commanding lead and Australia would face last use of the Kingsmead pitch. On the other hand. South Africa is poorly equipped with spin to capitalise on any deterioration of the pitch and the home side would be penalised if rain interferes. If van der Merwe enforces the follow-on and Australia makes a batting resurgence in the second innings, it would then be the Springboks who would be on trial in the final innings—and against Australian leg-spin. Foundered Easily On the evidence of Saturday’s batting debacle it would be hard to imagine the Australians putting together a sizeable score in the second innings. The team that strode majestically to a 542 total in the Newlands second test foundered like schoolboys before the Springboks army of seam bowlers on Saturday. In humid overcast conditions the Springboks complement of P. Pollock, M. Proctor, P. Trimborn, T. Goddard and E. Barlow operated in relays to take nine wickets between them. The tenth, I. Chappell, was victim of a run-out and another controversial decision by H. Kidson, the umpire against whose appointment the Australians had objected. Chappell looked to have made his ground safely but Kidson signalled him out. In the course of the Australian innings, Kidson gave out Simpson with an extravagant flourish of the finger, W. Lawry and K. Stackpole, all caught behind the wicket, although the three Australians made no move to walk after appeals by the Springbok fieldsmen. Dismal Batting

The Australian batting effort was a dismal affair. Simpson, I. Redpath, R. Cowper and Stackpole were all out sparring with deliveries outside their off stump. T. Vievers, who has lived bravely by strong-arm tactics this tour, was bowled trying for a huge hit. Simpson said afterwards: “It was rank bad batting—no excuses. But all is not lost yet.” Lawry Injured The one real streak of stubborn defiance came bravely from Lawry. He was hit trying to hook a bouncer from P. Pollock when he was seven. He recoiled from the crease with blood running from a gashed forehead. Lawry was taken to hospital where a doctor inserted 10 stitches. He returned to bat at the fall of Redpath’s wicket, his head swathed in bandages.

He stayed for another 146 minutes to finish top-scorer at 44. While he held out with G. McKenzie, Australia looked like staving off the follow-on, but with Lawry’s departure, the brittle Australian tail folded up quickly. If the Australians were tied down to a grim run-crawl, the day was full of incident. Lawry’s early objections brought two stern warnings by the umpires against P.

Pollock for running down the pitch after delivery. Pollock was “needled” and bowled several bumpers to Lawry and McKenzie. McKenzie had the satisfaction of hitting Pollock for a towering six on to the packed embankment. The 20-year-old test newcomer, M. Proctor, finished with three wickets in his debut. Barlow took the bowling honours with the scalps of Lawry, Stackpole and B. Taber at a cost of 18 runs. Goddard’s dismissal of I. Redpath was his 100th test wicket. He also has 2000 runs.