BOWLERS ON TOP IN MIDDLESEX MATCH: AUSTRALIANS’ LEAD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22694, 20 July 1948, Page 5

BOWLERS ON TOP IN MIDDLESEX MATCH: AUSTRALIANS’ LEAD

(10.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 19. Despite a sudden collapse after a fine partnership of 172 for the fourth wicket by Morris and Loxton, Australia is headed for a clearcut victory over Middlesex.

Eleven hostile overs by Johnston and Lindwall dismissed tlie county’s four best batsmen for 36 in the

second innings and the side is still 78 behind Australia’s 317. Edrich and Compton, stalwarts in the county’s first innings, failed. Robertson, whose head was cut when he ducked into a short, rising ball from Lindwall just before stumps, retired hurt but he expeqts to resume his innings tomorrow.

There was a remarkable collapse of the Australian batting when Morris and Loxton had rehabilitated the side after it had lost the first three wickets cheaply. It was Morris' fifth and Loxton’s third century of the tour. They were knocks of flawless calibre. Forty-four year-old Sims ran through the tail-enders, dismissing Loxton, Mccool and Lindwall in one over and finishing with six for 65 off 24 overs. Scores:— MIDDLESEX First Innings 203 Second Innings Brown, b Johnston 3 Robertson, retired hurt .. .. 19 Edrich, 1.b.w., b Lindwall .. .. 1 D. Compton, 1.b.w., b Johnston .. 2 Mann, b Lindwall 0 Dewes, not out 6 Sims, not out 3 Extras 2

Total, for four wickets .. .. 3( Bowling: Lindwall, two for 26; John ston, two for eight. AUSTRALIA First Innings

Morris, c Brown, b Young .. .. 101) Brown, 1.b.w.. b Whitcombe .. 8 Bradman, c D. Compton, b Whit-

combe 6 Harvey, c Mann, b Bedford .. 10 Loxton, c Edrich, b Sims .. .. 123 Itamence, 1.b.w., b Sims .. .. 30 McCool, c Young, b Sims .. .. 0 Lindwall, stpd L Compton, b Sims 1 Tallon, b Sims 17 Ring, b Sims 2 Johnston, not out 0 Extras 5 Total 317 Bowling: Whifcombe, two for 43; Edrich, none for 59: Bedford, one for 44; Young, one for 73; Sims, six for 65; D. Compton, none for 23.