Marsh misses his chance

Press, 31 August 1977, Page 52

Marsh misses his chance

NZPA London The Australian vicecaptain, Rod Marsh, lost his chance to become the first Australian wicket-keeper to score a test century in England when he was out early on the final day of the fifth test at the Oval early this morning (N.Z. time). Marsh, who resumed on 53 not out, played only four, more runs before he was out; lbw to Mike Hendrick in the fifth over of the morning. Marsh had batted three and a quarter hours and hit a six and four fours. The next wicket followed soon after when Ray Bright i was out lbw to Willis for 16 with the total at 252. Then Max Walker and j Mick Malone set about the! England bowling and took only 49 minutes to bring up their half-century partner- 1 ship. Soon afterwards Walkerpassed his previous highest) test score of 41 not out,; made against England jn| Brisbane in 1974. He then turned Lever for a single toj fine leg to post his first half- - cen»urv in test cricket Malone went just before

[lunch, bowled by Lever for: -1 46. 5 At lunch Australia was I t 352 for nine, a lead of 138 ’[over England. •! The Australian batsman, 1 'David Hookes, only had '[himself to blame for not ‘reaching his maiden test I century as he chased a ball 1 from Tony Greig well wide ’■of the off-stump and edged : lto wicket-keeper Alan Knott ’ on the fourth day yesterday.

ENGLAND First innings 214; AUSTRALIA First innings: C. Serjeant lbw b Willis .. • l R. McCosker lbw b Willis 32 G. Chappell c and b Underwood 3» K. Hughes c Willis b Hendrick 1 D. Hookes c Knott b Greig 85 □. Walters b Willis R. Marsh lbw b Hendrick 57 j R. Bright lbw b Willis 14 M. Walker not out 44 M. Malone b Lever 44 Extras (lb, Sib, 2nd) 8 Total (for ♦ wickets) 352 Fall of wickets: 0. $4, 47, 84, 104, 184, 234, 252, 352. LUNCH BOWLING OMR W JR. Willis 07 5 83 4 M. Hendrick 34 5 83 2 J. Lever 23 4 44 1 D Underwood 35 ♦ 102 1 A. Greig .. 7 2 21 1