Lethal burst by Thomson

Press, 1 December 1982, Page 52

Lethal burst by Thomson

NZPA Brisbane Jeff Thomson revived memories of the havoc he wrought on England's batsmen in Australia eight years ago when he wrecked the tourists' second innings at the Brisbane Cricket Ground yesterday.

In a potentially matchwinning burst for Australia, the veteran speedster took five for 12 from eight blistering overs to send England in at stumps on 279 for seven.

This gave the tourists an over-all lead of 157 with three wickets remaining and left them facing a real threat of defeat. But a defiant unfinished eighth-wicket stand of 53 between Geoff Miller and Eddie Hemmings kept England in with a chance of saving the match. Miller, dropped off Thomson by Kepler Wessels when 20. remained unbeaten on 50 while his spin bowling partner, Eddie Hemmings, had reached 18.

Thomson, aged 32. and fighting the weakening effects of an illness he suffered during Australia's recent tour of Pakistan, bowled with genuine speed on an easy-paced Brisbane pitch. His captain, Greg Chappell, said that Thomson had lost more than a stone in Pakistan and .was on a special diet to build up his strength. Thomson had failed to break through in England’s first innings as he strove to get his rhythm working smoothly. Yesterday he had to wait until his fifteenth over before taking his first wicket of the match — David Gower, who gloved a listless hook to the 'keeper, Rod Marsh, who had earlier dropped England’s opener, Graeme Fowler. Marsh’s miss, also off Thomson, was one of seven

catches put down by the Australians, who looked at one stage to be letting England off the hook. But Thomson refused to be denied and by tea had also snared Allan Lamb (12), Derek Randall (4), lan Botham (15) and Fowler (83). Thomson’s fiery spell was vital for Australia, restricted by the loss of Carl Rackemann. who left the field with a strained groin after bowling only 3.2 overs early in the day. The Australian team manager, John Edwards, said last night that Rackemann would not bowl today and Chappell would have a depleted attack to call on. Chappell was further hampered in his thrust for victory by a finger injury Allan Border carried into the match. The left-hander had been used in the past as a successful part-time spinner but yesterday he could not come into the Australian attack. ENGLAND First innings 219 Second innings C. Tavare c Marsh b Lawson 13 G. Fowler c Marsh b Thomson 83 D. Gower c Marsh b Thomson 34 A. Lamb c Wessels b Thomson 12 D. Randall c Yardley b Thomson 4 I. Botham c Marsh b Thomson 15 G. Miller not out 50 R. Taylor c Hookes b Lawson 3 E. Hemmings not out ... . 18 Extras (nb:!3. Ib7, bf>, wl) 47 Total for seven wickets 279 Fall: 54, 144, 165, 169, 194. 201. 226. Bowling OMR W G. Lawson 29 9 66 2 C. Rackemann 12.2 3 35 0 J. Thomson 31 6 73 5 B. Yardlev 34.4 17 46 0 G. Chappell 6 2 8 0 D. Hookes 2 0 4 0 AUSTRALIA First innings 341