CLOSE CALL FOR ENGLAND

Evening Star, Issue 25994, 8 January 1947, Page 3

CLOSE CALL FOR ENGLAND

Crucial Test Drawn / ♦ Washbrook and Yardley Hold the Fort Rain Brings Respites

MELBOURNE, January 7. The changes of fortune which had marked play in the first tyur days- of the third cricket test at Melbourne continued into the fifth. Faced with the hopeless task of scoring 551 in 435 minutes, the English side stubbornly batted all day and scored 310 for the loss - of seven wickets, thus effecting a draw. Washbrook’s 112 and Yardley’s 53 not out played-a great Eart in it, but a 46 minute's’ break ecause of rain also helped.. The attendance was 34,234, and £5,048 was taken, making an aggregate attendance of 343,675 . and £44,063 gross. The English openers were steady on A good wicket in- fine weather. After an hour Hutton, who was never on top, skied the ball. He . had made 40 in 181 minutes, including three 4s. Washbrook, who was much more confident, was strong on the outside. He reached 90 with a good glance for 4. Edrich got quickly into his stride with a delightful cover shot for 4. He then hit Toahack just over Bradman’s head, and snicked the next ball dangerously. 1 This brought up 150 in 190 minutes. Washbrook cut Johnson’s first ball to reach his century in 193 minutes. It was an excellent display. Just at lunch McCool dismissed EdTich lbw, and England was in trouble. Compton,, badly beaten by McCool, was lucky to scramble home before the bails were off. He was foolishly run out in the next over, Miller returning well. Hammond was almost bovyled in the same over. He opened by sweeping McCool to the fence. Washbrook failed to Teach a fast spinning ball, and his off stump was shattered. In a solid, hard-fighting innings he had made 112 in 247 minutes. His ■core included eight 4’s and one 6. Rain aided the harassed batsmen, and at 3.15 p.m. it stopped play for 15 minutes. The slippery ball affected the spinners. Ikin mistimed the ball, and was easily caught after 32 minutes. Yardley hit Miller straight to the fence, and snicked the next dangerously through the slips for 4. Hammond, who played defensively, was bowled soon after lunch. A shower gained another 10 minutes’ respite, with 70 minutes to play and four wickets remaining. The scoring did not matter, but no opportunity was lost. After the fourth adjournment Bedser was out after a valuable .59 minutes. There were three remaining and 15 minutes to play. Yardley contributed a valuable 53 in 89 minutes. Scores:— , - ; AUSTRALIA. ;.. .... | -■ First innings .... ... 365 Second innings 536 ENGLAND. First innings ... ... ... 351 Second Innings. Hutton c Bradman b Toshack ... 40 Washbrook b Dooland 112 Edrich lbw b McCool 13 Compton run out ... 14 Hammond b Lindwall 26 Ikin c Hassett b Miller 5 Ya rdley not out ... 53 Bedser lbw b Miller ... 25 Evans not out ... 0 Extras ... ... ... ... .;. ... 22 Total (for seven wickets) ... 310 1 —Bowling Analysis.—

Wickets fell at one for 138, two for 163, three for 186, four for 197, five "• for 221, six for 249, seven for 294.

O. M. R. W Lindwall ... 16 2 59 1 Miller ... ... 11 0 41 2 Dooland ... 21 1 84 1 Tosliack ... 16 5 39 1 Johnson ... 12 4 24 0 McClool ... 24 9/ 41 1