BOWLERS’ DAY

Evening Star, Issue 26042, 5 March 1947, Page 5

BOWLERS’ DAY

SENSATIONS IN FIFTH TEST WICKETS FALL CHEAPLY GAME AT INTERESTING STAGE SYDNEY, March 4. The fourth day’s play in the fifth test was brimful of excitement. Twelve wickets fell during the day for 208 runs. Australia lost her last six batsmen in the first innings for 64 runs, and England’s first six batsmen in her second innings were dismissed for 144. Wright, in a finely-sustained effort, destroyed Australia’s hopes of a first innings lead. He was aided by a worn patch in the wicket, but, nevertheless, bowled splendidly. The game now stands in a most interesting position. England, with four wickets to fall, is 171 runs ahead, and, considering the nature of the wicket, Australia will have to fight hard to win.

Play started in sultry weather. The wicket was mowed this morning, and, apart from one spot, played well. The successful bowlers of yesterday, Wright and Bedser, took up the attack, and were immediately in menacing form. Wright, with a perfect length and a vicious spin, had Hassett and Hammence in all 'sorts of trouble. Mainly by leg taps and snicks behind the wicket, 11 runs were added in 20 minutes, and the total climbed to four for 200 in 247 minutc-s. Hammence, after making 7 in 40 minutes, was dropped by Ikin in the short gully position off Wright. This bowler found a small broken area at one end of the wicket, and exploited it to the full. The first full-blooded shot came after nearly an hour’s play, when Hammence hit a full toss from Wright to the fence. In the same over Ikin dived at full length to take an amazing catch in the gully to dismiss Hassett. In his stay of 115 minutes. Hassett had not hit a single boundary. McCool fell to another good catch in the gully in the same position in which Hassett was caught. Wright had two slips fieldsmen, and the gully all grouped close to the batsmen. Tallon, after a torrid few minutes, swung Wright high to squareleg, where Compton took an easy catch. Wright had taken a wicket in three successive overs, and he made it four in three ovefs, when Lindwall was caught in the covers. Tribe had a swing, and was also caught in the outfield.

WRIGHT’S GOOD FORM. At lunch, Australia was nine down for 250, and within 10 minutes of the resumption Toshack was run out while Hammence was trying to retain the strike. Hammence was undefeated after 106 minutes, and the Australian innings had lasted 329 minutes. Wright’s performance was easily his best of the tour. He bowled

splendidly, though assisted by {he worn patch. Wright to-day took five for 42 off 11 overs. He bowled unchanged to-day until the end of Australia’s innings. ' In the absence of Hutton, Fishlock opened England’s second innings with Washbrook, and the sensations of the morning were continued when Fishlock was out first ball. In spite of this early reverse, Washbrook and Edricli batted confidently until, after 50 minutes, Washbrook was bowled off his pads. Edricli was playing very nicely, when he unaccountably jumped out to McCool, missed, and Tallon smartly stumped him. Ikin lasted two balls. He was nearly run out off the first, and was very expertly stumped off the next. ;

McCool, in taking these three wickets, had the excellent figures of three for 11 off six overs. All three wickets had fallen at the “ good ” end of the pitch. The Australian bowlers had been unable to take advantage of the worn spot at the other end as had Wright. At tea England was four wickets down for 68 after 80 minutes’ play. By careful batting, Compton and Yardley added 20 before Yardley was bowled round his legs. McCool now had taken four wickets for 14 runs, and England was five down for 85. Tribe, too, was bowling well, and was causing the batsmen many uneasy moments. With wickets crashing, the spectators were greatly excited. Barnes was the fourth bowler who was tried, operating to the worn end, but he had no success. England’s total reached 100 after 130 minutes.' ; Every run meant much to both sides at this stage, and a good stand by Compton and Evans for the sixth wicket was very valuable to England. Compton was very solid. Evans, as in the first innings, made some nice shots and reached 20' before being yorked. Smith made a streaky 14 in the half hour before stumps. Compton after a fine fighting innings lasting 132 minutes, was unbeaten at stumps. McCool had been Australia’s most impressive howler. The attendance was 20,114. Following are the scores:— ENGLAND. First innings 280 Second Innings. Fishlock Ibw b Lindwall ... ... 0 Washbrook h McCool ... 24 Edrich st Tallon b McCool 24 Compton not out ..' ... 51 Ikin st Tallon b McCool 0 Yardley b McCool ... 11 Evans b Miller ... 20 Smith, not out ... ... 14 Extras 0 Total for six wickets ... 144 Fall of Wickets.—One for 2, two for 42, three for 65, four for 65, five for 85, six for 120.

AUSTRALIA. L First Innings.' Barnes, c Evans b Bedser 71 Morris lbw b Bedser 57 Bradman b Wright 12 Hassett c Ikin b Wright 24 Miller c Ikin b Wright ... 23 Hammence not, out ... 30 McCool c Yardley b Wright ... 3 Tallon c Compton b Wright ... 0 Lindwall c Smith b Wright ... 0 Tribe c Fishlock b Wright ... 9 Toshack run out ... 5 Extras 9 Total ... 253 Fall of Wickets.—One for 126, two’ for 140, three for 140, four for 163, five for 218, six for 230, seven for 230, eight for 233, nine for 245.

—Bowling Analysis 0. M. R. W. Lindwall ... 9 1 33 1 Miller 6 1 11' 1 McCool 19 5 32 4. Tribe 11 — 46 — Tdshack ... 2 — 11 — Barnes 3 — 11 i

—Bowling Analysis.^— 0. M. R. W. Bedser ... 27 7 49 2 Edrich ... 7 — 34 — Smith ... 8 — 38 — Wright ... 29 49 105 7 Yardley ... 5 2 8 —