Cricket England in commanding position

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 27

Cricket England in commanding position

NZPA-Reuter Manchester A magnificent 160 by Mike Gatting, his first test century on English soil and also his first against Australia, led England to a commanding position on the third day of the fourth cricket test on Saturday. At stumps, England was 448 for six wickets in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 257. Gatting, 45 not out overnight, drove and hooked superbly in his stay of 356 minutes before he was caught by the wicket-keeper, Wayne Phillips, off the fast bowler, Craig McDermott, in the final hour of a day shortened by rain and poor light. The Middlesex captain was in sight of a double century to emulate the one he scored against India at Madras last January when he fell to McDermott to become the latter’s fifth victim of the innings. Gatting’s near-faultless display dominated the day and eclipsed a cameo innings by lan Botham, who hit 20, and a fine supporting innings by Allan Lamb, who was brilli-

antly run out by Greg Matthews for 67. McDermott was the only Australian bowler to gain any success on a lifeless wicket and his five wickets were a worthy reward for a day of enthusiastic labour. Overnight leaks in the tarpaulins which protect the square and heavy showers on Saturday morning prevented any play before lunch, but did little to hamper the partnership between Gatting and Lamb, who had put on 85 together on Friday evening. Both began the extended afternoon session with a positive approach and maintained a steady flow of runs when the spinners, Greg Matthews and' Bob Holland, opened the Australian attack. Gatting reached his halfcentury with a typical quick single, Lamb steered Holland though mid-wicket for their 100 partnership for the fourth wicket, and Lamb completed his 50 with a cut to third man. When the new ball was taken it made little difference and 38 runs were taken off its first five overs. The partnership was not

broken until they had put on 150 and it required an exceptional throw by Matthews to end it. Gatting set off for a quick single, but Lamb was clearly beaten by Matthews’ pick-up and throw 1 from cover. The eagerly anticipated arrival of lan Bqiipm was announced by suee&sive ■fours off Sifnon O’Donnell i and a tremendous straight drrVe off McDermott. But the fast bowler had his revenge in the same over when he tempted Botham to hook a bouncer and O’Donnell made a running catch on the boundary. Gatting continued unperturbed, completing his century off 179 balls when he drove O’Donnell through the covers for his fourteenth boundary shortly before tea. After the interval, Gatting accelerated the run rate and hit a further seven fours to move past 150 before edging a lifting ball from McDermott to Phillips. Pau! Downton, out first ball in each of his previous two test innings, clipped McDermott to the boundary to get off the mark and began to play with increasing confidence.

His Middlesex team-mate, John Emburey, helped the England wicket-keeper push the score along and when torrential rain ended play half an hour early Downton was 23 not out and Emburey had scored 12. AUSTRALIA First innings 257 ' ENGLAND First innings G. Gooch lbw McDermott 74 T. Robinson c Border b McDermott 10 D. Gower c Hilditch b McDermott 47 M. Gatting c Phillips b McDermott 160 A. Lamb run out 67 1. Botham c O'Donnell b McDermott 20 P. Downton not out ... . 23 J. Emburey not out ... . 12 Extras (7b 121 b 16nb). . 35 Total for six wkts 448 Fall: 21, 142, 149, 304, 339, 430. . Bowling: G. Lawson 35, 7, WB, 0 (9nb); C. McDermott 31.4, 2, 127, 5 (7nb); R. Holland 38, 7, 101, 0; S. O’Donnell 19, 6, 72, 0: G; Matthews 9,2, 21, 0. Batting time: 581 min. Overs: 132.4.