Rain threatens fifth test

Press, 29 August 1977, Page 30

Rain threatens fifth test

NZriA London The fifth test match yielded itself to the weather at the oval yesterday, and Australia’s efforts in dismissing England for 214 — its lowest of the series — may I come to nothing. Only 77 minutes of play ! were possible on the third! day, and as the first day was; a washout, the chances of a; result are diminishing. However, a result is still possible, as the Australians' realised while they watched' the exposed wicket soak up several hours of rain during the final session. Under the tour conditions a test wicket must be left, uncovered once play has be-j gun for the day, and can be; protected only when the' umpires officially abandoni play. Craig Serieant and Rick McCosker began Australia's innings in dull purplish light yesterday, and it came as no great surprise when Bob Willis beat Serjeant off the seam with the last ball of his opening over, and convinced the umpire, Tom Spencer, to uphold the lbw I appeal. Theh Greg Chappell, playing what may be his last test innings in view of the uncer-■ tamtv of the remainder of the match, guided his team through two short sessions totalling less than half an hour before the weather broke completely. Mick Malone’s incredible debut performance on Friday

, yielded five wickets for 53 from 43 overs. Yesterday he bowled another four, for 10 runs, as Australia took three] quarters of an hour to split;' the tenth wicket pair of Willis and Mick Hendrick. | Jeff Thomson finally; bowled Hendrick for 15, i Willis remained 24 not out, and England fell two -uns. short of its previous lowest, score of the summer, 216 in; the first test at Lord’s.

ENGLAND Pint innings j M, Brearley c Marsh b Malone 33 G. Boycott c McCosker b Walker 33 R. Woolmer lbw b Thomson 15 D. Randall c Marsh b Malone 3, A. Greig c Bright b Malone 0 G. Ro ope b Thomson M A. Knott c McCosker b Malone 4 J. Lever lbw b Malone 3 D. Underwood b Thomson .. 20 M. Hendrick b Thomson 15 R. Willis not out 24 Extras (*l, lw, Snb) 12 Total 214| — Fall of wickets: M, S3, IM, IM, IM, 121, 130, IM, 174. BOWLING 1 OMR w J. Thomson 13 3 37 4 M. Malone 47 10 43 5 M. Walker . 23 11 51 1 R. Bright 3 1 1 0 AUSTRALIA First Innings C. Serieant lbw b Willis .. 0 R. McCosker not out 2 G. Chappell not out 7 Extras (Inb) 2 Total (for one wicket) Ul Fall of wicket: 0. BOWLING O M K w i R. Willis .424 i 1 M. Hendrick 3 13