Lawson helps destroy English innings

Press, 27 November 1982, Page 64

Lawson helps destroy English innings

NZPA Brisbane A hostile Geoff Lawson, backed by fine catching from the Australians, saw England collapse in spectacular fashion on the first day of the second cricket test at the Brisbane Cricket Ground yesterday. When bad light ended play 64 minutes early, England had struggled to 219 for nine, never recovering from Lawson’s early jolt that had the tourists 13 for two in less than an hour. Lawson gave his captain. Greg Chappell, the necessary support after Australia won the toss for the second time in succession and sent England in to bat. Lawson was able to take advantage of the early life and the unexpected lastminute replacement of the opener, Geoff Cook, who was injured at practice yesterday. His stand-in, Graeme Fowler, was the first of Lawson's five victims when he was magnificently caught by Bruce Yardley for 7. ’ By lunch Lawson had also accounted for Christ Tavare (1) and David Gower (18) and Chappell's gamble was paying off handsomely. Allan Lamb, England’s No. 4. and the hard-hitting allrounder, lan Botham staged a mid-innings revival. The pair added a sizzling 78 in only 68 minutes for the fourth wicket; refusing to be subdued by the enthusiastic Australian attack. Lamb put together an attractive 72, dissecting the field with 10 boundaries, while Botham hit a whirlwind 40 from only 40 deliveries. The England all-rounder hit six fours and a six before he became the spinner Bruce Yardley’s first victim of the innings. While the two. aggressive

Englishmen were at the crease, the tourists’ hopes of a worth-while revival were sky-high and with the scoreboard reading 141 for 3 a sizeable first innings totallooked on the way. But the persistent Lawson continued to harass the batsmen and he finally had Lamb out to a wide diving catch byRod Marsh. The dismissal brought the Australian wicket keeper's total number of test catches to 300. He added another on the next ball when he jumped high to bring down an uncontrolled edge from the first ball Geoff Miller faced from Lawson. The new fast bowler. Rackemann. had to wait until his 17th over before he claimed his first test wicket, but he bowled impressively throughout and his two for 61 from 21 overs was a just reward. ENGLAND First innings C. Tavare c Hughes b Lawson 1 G. Fowler c Yardley b Lawson " D. Gower c Wessels b Lawson 18 A. Lamb c Marsh b Lawson . 72 I. Botham c Rackemann b Yardley. . 40 D. Randall c Lawson b Rackemann 37 G. Miller c Marsh b Lawson. 0 R. Taylor c Lawson b Rackemann 1 E. Hemmings not out ... . 15 R. Willis c Thomson c Yardley:... J N. Cowans not out 10 , Extras (nbl4, lb2, wl). . . 17 Total for nine wickets 219 Fall: 8,13, 63, 141,152, 152,178, . 191, 195.

Bowling 0 R w G. Lawson 18.2 4 47 5 C. Rackemann 21 18 61 2 J. Thompson 8 0 43 0 B. Yardley 17 5 51 2