AN OMINOUS POINTER?

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 17

AN OMINOUS POINTER?

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) BRISBANE. India’s brilliant return to form in the third test against Australia came too late to rescue the series, but could be an ominous pointer for the series ahead in New Zealand. Although Australia won the match, India took most of the honours. India came desperately close to victory in its mountainous task of making 395 runs in the final innings. To have done that would have almost made test cricket history. Only one side, Sir Donald Bradman’s 1948 Australians, has made more runs in a fourth innings to win a test match. The Australian captain, W. Lawry, admitted after the match that he thought his team was “gone” midway through the afternoon. At that stage Jaisimha and Borde were batting so confidently that India required under 100 runs for victory. Even in defeat India emerged with new world prestige. The Brisbane pitch, a slow turner, was all to the Indians’ liking and they re-

sponded as though playing on a wicket at home. The new arrival, Jaisimha, gave the Indian batting a new lease of life, and his double batting performance of 74 and 101 was almost a fairy tale come true. Flown to Australia to help his beleaguered colleagues and short of match practice, he outplayed them all in cool concentration, solid defence and well-organised stroke Play. Third Century

This was bis third century for India and one can only suggest that had he been an

original member of the team things might have gone very differently for India this summer. He was like a rock in his defiant century innings on Wednesday and no Australian bowler had his measure. Indeed, when Jaisimha and Borde joined forces in their 119-run stand India had made a recovery so strong that it was Australia then on the run. Only R. Cowper's steady offbreaks stood between India and victory. Cowper struck the Indians a body blow with his dismissal of Borde. This exposed

the soft Indian tail and the unorthodox spinner, J. Gleason, snatched three quick wickets.

Australia has parcelled up the series, three-nil, and there can only be academic interest in the final test which will begin in Sydney today. At the same time, thanks chiefly to the advent of Jaisimha, India has struck form for the first time this tour.