First test drawn after gallant Aust. fight-back

Press, 6 December 1979, Page 40

First test drawn after gallant Aust. fight-back

NZPA v Brisbane The first test between Australia and the West Indies ended in a draw at Brisbane vesterdav.

At stumps on the final day the West Indies were 3 for 40 in their second innings after a first innings total of 441. The Australian captain, Greg Chappell, declared Australia’s innings closed at 6 for 448 after almost two days at the crease leaving the West Indies the impossible target of 276 runs to win in just over an hour. A draw was inevitable as Australia built on their overnight score yesterday after trailing by 173 runs on the first innings. Greg Chappell scored his fifty-sixth first class century and his fifteenth in tests with a determined 124 to provide a platform for Australia’s fight for survival. He had come to the wicket with Australia two down for 55 and his team still 118 runs behind. Together with his deputy, Kim Hughes, who posted his lecond test century in a row it the Gabba yesterday with 130 not out. they featured in I match-saving innings which robbed the West Indies of any chance they had of forcing a victory to |o one up in the series. At tea on the final day. Australia was 232 runs ahead with five wickets still standing

Kim Hughes was 99 not out and Rod Marsh on 10 with the Australian score five for 405. Hughes took over the fight to save the test after his captain Greg Chappell went for 124 shortly before lunch. Chappell had come to the wicket with Australia two for 55, still 118 runs in arrears., Hughes and the left-hander,: David Hookes, batted confidently after lunch and the slight chance of a West Indies w-in slipped away was the pair put on 74 in 105 minutes. When Hookes was bowled by Andy Roberts for 37, Rod

Marsh joined his vice-captain and the pair withstood the* last desperate attempt by the; West Indies pace battery to break through. AUSTRALIA | First innings .. 2GB Second innings R. McCosker b Holding 33 B. Laird c Marshall isub) b Garner 75 A. Border c Richards b Garner .. . 7 G Chappell c Croft .. .124 K. Hughes not out . LUI I). Hookes b Roberts 37 R Marsh c Kallicharran b King .19 R. Bright not out 2 Extras <b2, Ibll, nb6. w2i 21 Total (for 6 dec.) .. 448 Fail 40. 55. 179. 297. 371, 442. Bowling.—A. Roberts. 27. 5. 70, 1. M. Holding, 30. 4. 94. 1; C. Croft 28. 3. 106. 1; J. Garner, 41. 13. 75. 2; C. King. 22. 6. 50, 1; A. Kallicharran, 18. 2, 32. 0. WEST INDIES First innings 441; Second innings j G. Greenidge c McCosker b Thomson .. 0 D. Haynes lbw b Hogg .. 4 L. Rowe b Hogg ..3 A. Kallicharran not out .. 10 C. King, not out .. 8 Extras tbs. nb9, wl) .. 15 Total (for 3 wickets) 40 Fall: 2. 15. 16. Bow’ing.—J. Thomson. 3. 2. 3. 1; R. Hogg, 5,2. 11. 2; D. Lillee. 2. 0. 3. 0; R. Bright. 4. 3. 8. 0