VICTORY TEST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1945, Page 6

VICTORY TEST

ENGLISH COLLAPSE SAVED

LONDON, June 23. A fighting century by W. R. Hammond, and a sixth wicket stand in which' he and Pope added 107 after five wickets had, fallen for 141, saved England from collapse in the second yiqtary Test, which started at Sheffield today. England's first innings closed for 286 (C. Washbrook 63, J. D. Robertson 26, Hammond 100, G. H. Pope 35). Bowling: »E. A. Williams, two for 31; A. G. Cheetham, three for 47; J. "Ellis, two for 62; C. Pepper, three for 86. ■ At -stumps .Australia had lost no Wickets for 23. Hammond and Pope survived 100 minutes' splendid bowling by Pepper and Ellis on a wicket responsive to spin. A." L. Hassett won the toss, and, after inspection of the wicket, decided to send England in. Early morning rain "had soaked the wicket, and in the brilliant sun which followed the wicket was expected to play tricks. Hammond scored his century in 185 minutes, and hit two 6's and 16 4's. He succumbed when he attempted to force the pace. The Australian attack was steady, with Pepper and Ellis magnificent at times. Washbrook gave a sound display, and, when associated with Hammond, scored at the' rate of a run a minute. The attendance was 20,000.