Mallett Saves Follow-on

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 18

Mallett Saves Follow-on

(Special Corveepondent N.Z.F.A.)

LONDON.

Australia’s 23-year-old test “new chum,” A. Mallett, saved the follow-on in a remarkable back-to-the-wall fight in the fifth cricket test against England at the Oval.

Mallett batted throughout the two-hour pre-lunch session for an unbeaten 38 —his highest score in first-class cricket. At lunch Australia was 319 for nine wickets in reply to England’s 494. Mallett’s defiant innings compensated Australia for the shock loss of its captain, W. M. Lawry, given out to a controversial decision without adding to his overnight total of 135.

Mallett, with J. W. Gleeson in a stand of 33 in 54 minutes, saved the follow-on, and with the last man, A. N. Connolly, kept. the Australian innings alive until lunch.

Lawry was given out in controversial fashion. Shocked by the verdict of the umpire (Mr A. Fagg) that ruled him caught behind, Lawry spoke to the umpire as he walked back to the pavilion. Lawry appeared to mi&s by at least six Inches the delivery by J. A. Snow that brought about his downfaU. There was a sporadic appeal amongst the England fieldsmen behind the wicket. Mr Fagg, after long hesitation, reluctantly It seemed, raised a finger. Lawry seemed stunned by the the decision. He made a slow exit from the crease and stopped as be passed Mr Fagg to whom he addressed a remark. The only interpretation could be that Lawry asked how ho had been given out. Lawry’s long innings had come to an end after 16 minutes play on the fourth day. He had batted for 448 minutes and hit 22 boundaries in his innings of 135. Mallett and Gleeson fought stubbornly after the shock dismissal of Lawry to lift Australia past the 295-run goal that would force England to bat again. Gleeson foiled England’s last hopes of forcing a follow-pn when he pulled Underwood for four behind square leg. Mallett, playing an Innings that put to shame the efforts

of most of the earlier Australian batsmen, swung R. Illingworth for four td bring up Australia’s 300 in 501 minutes. The Mallett-Gleeson partnership was worth 33 in 54 minutes before England could break the stand. , Gleeson at 19 tried to pull Underwood but the ball took the top edge of his bat and flew in a gentle arc to Dexter behind square leg. ■N GLAND First Innings .« . o*4 AUSTRALIA First Innings W. M. Lawry c Knott b Snow US R. J. Inverarlty c Milburn b Snow 1 I. R. Radpath c Cowdray b Snow *7 I. M. Chappell c Knott b Brawn M K. D. Walters c Knott b Brown 5 A. P. Sheahan b Illingworth 14 B. N. Jarman atd Knott b Illingworth 0 G. D. McKenzie b Brown .. U A. Mallett not out .. 36 J. Gleeson c Dextor b Underwood 2* A. N. Connolly not out 3 Bxtraa M Total for « wkts .. 319