England Scores 268 For 2 in Splendid Fourth Test Start: Washbrook Fine 143

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22697, 23 July 1948, Page 5

England Scores 268 For 2 in Splendid Fourth Test Start: Washbrook Fine 143

(N.Z.P.A.—Keutor— Copyright.) (10.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 22. Washbrook and Hutton regained their old form in the fourth test, and England scored 268 for two wickets on a batsman’s wicket.

Wash brook defied the Australian attack until five minutes before the close, when Johnston deceived him with a slower leg break which he edged easily into Lindwall’s hands in the slips. This dramatic end to an otherwise almost unblemished century has not lessened England’s profound satisfaction at the first authentically fighting start the team has made in this seriqs. Hutton Regains Form Yardley won the toss for the third time in the series. The weather was fine and cool and the wicket fast. Hutton, who returned to the team in his own county with a tarnished reputation to regain, made 81, which might have been much less. He gave a sharp chance to Hassett off Loxton at 25, but Hutton and Washbrook revealed a delightful repertoire of strokes after lunch and scored freely off the bowling which, though not helped by the pitch, lacked its determined hostility of earlier tests. Until the last few overs Bradman kept the fast or fast-medium attack going at one or both ends. Washbrook Gives Chances Edrich, following Hutton, took no risks. He played himself in ultracautiously. Twice before Washbrook reached his 100 he flicked dangerously at rising balls from Lindwall, but survived. He reached his century in 230 minutes and 10 minutes later England’s 200 appeared. Edrich was content to leave the rungetting to Washbrook and made only 27 in the first 100 minutes at the wicket. Washbrook after some bright batting went into his shell as the day neared ■ its end, but lost his wicket five minutes 1 before stumps. Edrich had then contributed 41 to a 1 partnership of exactly 100. Washbrook batted for 317 minutes and hit 22 : fours. Edrich at stumps had been in for , 131 minutes and had hit six fours. ! The teams are:— Barnes Not Fit Yet \ Australia. —Bradman, Harvey, Has- , sett, 1. Johnson, W. Johnston, Lindj wall, Loxton, Miller, Morris, Saggers, ! Toshock. Brown twelfth man. England.—Bedser, Compton, Cranston, Crapp, Edrich, Evans, Hutton, Laker, Pollard, Washbrook, Yardley. Emmett twelfth man. The Australian medium-fast bowler, Bill Johnston, reported fit this mornj ing after radiant heat treatment for a | sore back. I Barnes is still feeling the effects of ! his bad bruising from a hit on the side lin the third test. He told Bradman 1 that he felt a little sick after batting practice yesterday. Tallon’s finger is still sore. Scores: — ENGLAND First Innings Hutton, b Lindwall 81 Washbrook, c Lindwall, b Johnston 143 i Edrich, not out 41 Bedser, not out 0 Extras 3 Total for two wickets .. .. 268 Fall of wickets: One for 168, two for 268.

Bowling O. M. R. w. Lindwall . .. 19 5 46 1 Miller ... 12 2 33 0 W. Johnston .. 21 6 48 1 Toshack . .. 22 5 58 0 Loxton . .. 15 1 39 0 Ian Johnson .. 17 6 41 0