ENGLAND WINS TEST OFF LAST BALL OF LAST OVER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22825, 21 December 1948, Page 7

ENGLAND WINS TEST OFF LAST BALL OF LAST OVER

(11 a.xn.) DURBAN, Dec. 20. England secured a dramatic victory by two wickets in the first test match against South Africa. The winning run came off the last ball of the last over. England’s captain, Mann, said: “What a finish for a man captaining his first test team and playing in the first test!”

Gladwin proudly exhibited in the dressing-room a large bruise on his left thigh off which the winning legbye was scored. Gladwin said he and Bedser decided to run for the last ball whatever happened. South Africa had set England 128 runs to score in a little over two hours. England’s task was made more arduous because the wicket was deteriorating and rain clouds were gathering. England lost seven precious minutes when a drive from Hutton struck Nourse on the knee. Then rain held up the game for 18 minutes. The crowd wildly cheered every run and the fall of each wicket as England’s batsmen raced against time. England looked in a safe position when the score was two for 49 but the 19-year-old fast bowler, McCarthy, opened a deadly attack. Wiping the mud from the ball after each delivery, McCarthy had England in difficulties, taking four more wickets for the addition of only 21 runs. England needed 15 runs in the last 15 minutes and won right on time.

SOUTH AFRICA First Innings 161 Second Innings E. Rowan, c Compton, b Jenkins .. 16 Wynne, c Watkins, b Wright .. .. 4 Mitchell, b Wright 19 Nourse, c and b Bedser 32 Wade, b Jenkins 63 Begbie, c Mann, b Bedser .. .. 48 Dawson, c Compton, b Wright .. 3 A. Rowan, b Wright 15 Mann, c Mann, b Compton .. .. 19 McCarthy, b Jenkins P Tuckett, not out 3 Extras 6 Total 219 Bowling: Bedser, 2 for 51: Gladwin, 0 for 15; Jenkins, 3 for 64; Wright, 4'for 72; Compton, 1 for 11. ENGLAND First Innings 253 Second Innings Hutton, e Dawson, b Tuckett .. .. 5 Washbrook, Ibw. b Mann .. .. 25 Mann, c Mitchell, b McCarthy .. 13 Compton, b McCarthy 28 Watkins, b McCarthy 4 Simpson, c Erie Rowan, b McCarthy 0 Evans, b McCarthy 4 Jenkins, c Wade, b McCarthy .... 22 Bedser. not out 1 Gladwin, not out 7 Extras 19 Total for eight wickets 128 Bowling: McCarthy, 6 for 43; Tuckett 1 for 38; A. Rowan, 0 for 15.