AUSTRALIANS WIN BY 8 WICKETS: BARNES’ RACE AGAINST RAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22665, 16 June 1948, Page 5

AUSTRALIANS WIN BY 8 WICKETS: BARNES’ RACE AGAINST RAIN

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter —Copyright.) (10.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. Left with 98 runs for a victory in the first test after England had been dismissed in the second innings for 441, Australia knocked up the runs in better than even time.

Barnes and Hassctt in deepen- 5 ing darkness won the race against approaching rain. Barnes in a spectacular innings made 04 of the required 98—44 from boundary hits Light Appeal Dismissed Compton and Evans resumed so confidently this morning against the sustained hostility of the Australian attack that a drawn game seemed a pos sibility, but when Compton overbalanced on to his wicket trying to hook a bumper from Miller the game swung Australia's way. The remaining English wickets fell quickly to W. Johnston and Miller, Doth of whom bowled splendidly throughout the match. Compton and Evans had spent only 20 minutes at the wickets this morning before an appeal against the light was made. The appeal was dismissed and play continued in rapidly deepening gloom for two overs before light rain drove the players from the field. 'The light had not greatly improved when the players returned 35 minutes later. Very light misty rain was still falling. Compton kept most of the strike and presided paternally over the partnership. Evans, when he faced either Miller or W. Johnston, rarely hit a ball where he intended. After half an hour’s play drizzle again stopped play. On the resumption Compton was soon dismissed. It was a bad blow for England and a stroke of bad luck for Compton, whose second test match double-century was in sight. Miller bumped a fast one down. Compton, ducking, swung at it and fell while completing the strike and knocked his wicket down. Miller Booed By Crowd The crowd in the public stands booed. Compton had batted for 410 minutes and hit 19 fours. England lost their eighth and ninth wickets in the first quarter of an hour after lunch. Evans just reached his 50 when Johnston sent down an outswinger that touched the edge of his bat to give Tallon a good catch. England was 97 . ahead when Johnston bowled YoungA Johnston with figures of nine for 183 for the match consolidated his position in the test team. He deserved every wicket he got. Barnes, opening against Bedser, showed that Australia did not intend to waste time in getting winning runs. He hooked two no-balls from Bedser to the boundary, cover-drove another four and then ran a single, making 13 from the first over. Young temporarily curbed Barnes, who reached 27 in 20 minutes. Morris made nine in streaky fashion when he missed a swinger from Bedser. Greajt Catch Dismisses Bradman There was a great roar from the crowd when Hutton, diving forward at short fine-leg, picked up a beautiful catch to dismiss Bradman for a duck. Bedser’s leg trap, which won him Bradman’s wicket in the first innings, had succeeded again. Australia then had 49 for two and dark storm clouds were gathering when Hassett joined Barnes. Both went all out to get runs before rain fell. The tense struggle ended on a note of unrehearsed comedy. Barnes with a huge hook off Young to the boundary made the total 97. Barnes thought the match had been won. He grabbed a stump as a souvenir and ran to the pavilion. When he got there spectators pointed to the umpires who were signalling him back to score one run still needed. Some other players who had followed Barnes also had to return to the field. Hassett then hit the winning single. Barnes missed his souvenir as the Englishmen grabbed all six stumps as the batsmen were running through. Scores: — ENGLAND. First innings .. .. .. .. .. 165 Second Innings. Hutton, b Miller .. .... .. 74 Washbrook, c Tallon, b Miller .. 1 Edrich, c Tallon, b lan Johnson.. 13 Compton, hit wicket, b Miller .. Vi 4 Hardstaff, c Hassett, b Toshack .. 43 Barnett, c Miller, b Johnston .. .. 6 Yardley, c and b Johnston .. 22 Evans, c Tallon, b Johnston .. .. 50 Laker, b Miller 4 Bedser, not out 3 Young, b Johnston 9 Extras, 32 Total, .. 441 Fall of wickets: 1/5, 2/39. 3/150, 4/243, 5/264, 6/321, 7/405, 8/413, 9/423.

Bowling O. M. R. W. Miller 44 10 125 4 Johnston .. .. 59 12 147 4 Toshack .. .. 33 14 60 1 Johnson .. .. 42 15 66 1 Barnes .. .. 5 2 11 0 AUSTRALIA First Innings .. 509 Second Innings Barnes, not out 64 Morris, b Bedser 9 Bradman, c Hutton, b Bedser, 0 Hassett, not out, 21 Extras, 4 Total, for two wickets 98 Fall of wickets: 1/38, 2/48. 0. M. R. W. Bedser .. .. 14.3 4 46 2 Edrich ,. .. 4 0 20 0 Young .. .. 10 3 28 0