AUST. TIES SERIES

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32998, 18 August 1972, Page 26

AUST. TIES SERIES

(N.Z. Pres* Association—Copyright)

LONDON.

Australia yesterday won the fifth, and final, cricket test by five wickets at the Oval, and tied the fifty-first series with England, 2-2.

R. W. Marsh struck the winning run 39 minutes after lunch on the sixth and final day.

Australia did not regain the Ashes but proved beyond doubt by winning yesterday that it was as good as England, if not better. It also won the second test by eight wickets and had the advantage in the third, the only one drawn.

Yesterday, Australia had to struggle after it lost four wickets for 39 in 77 minutes, and at one stage three for five in 24 minutes. WINNING STAND

It was saved from collapse against the depleted England attack—both R. Illingworth and B. L. D’Oliveira were off the field because of injuries —by a magnificent sixth wicket stand of 71 in 87 minutes by A. P. Sheahan and Marsh.

Sheahan finished with 44 not out after 140 minutes of skilled application on the

slow turning and often unpredictable pitch, and Marsh scored 43 in 87 minutes with five boundaries. These included three off four balls from _D. L. Underwood’s last over as Australia stormed to victory. Earlier, K. R. Stackpole laid the basis of v Australia’s score when he made 79. With (. M. Chappell, who scored 37, Stackpole gave the Australians a good start in the second-wicket partnership of 116.

The Australians had good cause to be happy afterwards. It was the first time since India in 1969, that they had not lost a series. It was also Australia’s first win at the Oval since 1948. The series was only the second drawn in England since World War lI—W. M. Lawry’s tourists drew 1-1 in 1968. ENGLAND First Innings .. .. 284 Second innings .. .. 354 AUSTRALIA First Innings 399 Second innings G. Watson lbw b Arnold .. 6 K. W. Stackpole c Knott b Greig 79 I. M. Chappell c sub (Willis) b Underwood .. 37 G. S. Chappell lbw b Underwood 14 R. Edwards lbw b Greig 1 A. P. Sheahan not out .. 44 R. W. Marsh not out .. 43 Extras 16 Total (for 5 wickets) 242 Fall of wickets: one for 15, two for 132, three for 136, four for 137, five for 171. BOWLING

Power boating.— The Atlantic Union Oil Company (N.Z.), Ltd, will sponsor all the major North Island power boat races this season in a nine-stage championship series.

Arnold o 15 M 5 ft 25 W 1 Snow 6 1 21 0 Greig 33.5 10 49 2 Underwood 35 11 94 2 Illingworth Parfitt 9 0 2 2 26 10 0 0