Thomson again wrecks England’s test hopes

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33730, 31 December 1974, Page 18

Thomson again wrecks England’s test hopes

(New Zealand Press Association —Copyright) MELBOURNE, Australia was well placed to win the third test against England at the end of the fourth day despite fighting innings by Dennis Amiss and Tony Greig in Melbourne yesterday.

England was all out in its second innings for 244, leaving Australia to score 246 runs to win.

In the one over to stumps bowled by Bob Willis four byes were scored, leaving Australia to score 242 runs on the last day today. It was a position England did not expect to be in after a galL .it century opening partnership between Amiss and David Lloyd. However, once the opening stand was broken shortly before lunch England again collapsed against Australia’s fast bowlers until an invaluable 56-run ninth wicket partnership between Greig and Willis.

Amiss scored 90, missing by three runs the record for the most number of test runs in 12 months. This was set by Australia’s 1964 test player. Bob Simpson. Greig was the second last man out for 60. COLLAPSE

The main England batting collapse was caused again by the fast bowler, Jeff Thomson, who took three wickets for nine runs in four overs shortly before tea, dismissing the captain, Mike Denness, and the vice-captain, John Edrich, and the wicketkeeper, Alan Knott. Thomson finished with four wickets for 71, collecting his last wicket by bowling Willis, who was the last man out.

The next disastrous period for England came in the first over after tea by the offspinner, Ashley Mallett, who took two wickets in his first seven balls. He dismissed Fred Titmus and Derek Underwood.

After this collapse Greig and Willis batted together for an hour and a half before Greig was caught by Greg Chappell off Dennis Lillee in the gully. The runs they added were valuable, and under normal

circumstances England’s total could even have been a winning score with Australia having to bat out the last day. But England’s injury worries are continuing. Mike Hendrick, who batted with a runner, will not be able to bowl because of a strained hamstring muscle, and the off-spinner, Titmus, also is in doubt for tomorrow. FELLED He was felled by a ball from Thomson which hit him on the right knee, and last night he could barely walk. This is a crushing blow for England as its hopes of saying the match must depend on Titmus being able to turn the ball.

Australia's off-spinner, Ashley Mallett, finished with four for 60 off 24 overs and worried ail of England’s batsmen.

AUSTRALIA First innings ..241 Second innings I. Redpath not out .. o W. Edwards not out .. 0 Extras (b 4 4 Total (for no wicket) 4 ENGLAND First innings ..242 Second innings D. Amiss c I. Chappell b Mallett . 90 D. Lloyd c and b Mallett 44 C. Cowdrey c G. Chappell b Lillee S J. Edrich c Marsh b Thomson 4 M. Denness c I. Chappell b Thomson 2 A. Greig c G. Chappell b Lillee 60 A. Knott c Marsh b Thomson 4 F. Titmus b Mallett 0 D. Underwood c I. Chappell b Mallett 4 R. Willis b Thomson .. 15 M. Hendrick not out . 0 Extras (b2, 169, w2) . 13 Total 244 Fall of wickets: 115, 134, 152, 156, 158, 165, 178, 182, 238, 244.

Bowling 0 M R w Lillee V 3 55 2 Walker .. 11 0 45 0 Thomson .. 17 1 71 4 Mallett . . 24 6 60 4