Australia's Sensational Victory

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 174, 26 July 1938, Page 7

Australia's Sensational Victory

Poor Batting by Both Sides BARNETT MAKES WINNING BOUNDARY HITS United Pres* Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, July 25. Australia won the fourth Test at Leeds in a sensational manner, when after England’s summary dismissal for a mere 123 runs, Australia’s batsmen seemed to be also failing. Bradman made only 16. Barnett’s brilliant last minute batting in bad conditions carried the day and Australia won by three runs with five wickets to spare. T.ngla.nri lost fOUT good WiCKetS in the first hour’s play in their second innings to-day, a remarkable collapse after a steady beginning. The procession comprised the openers, Barnett and Edrich, Hardstafi and Hammond, four being down for 73. The fifth wicket, Compton’s, went in the next half-hour.—s for 86. The weather was cloudy and warm with a fair light. The overnight shower could have had little effect on the wicket, but in view of the forecasts that it would crumble, attention was focussed on McCormick's first over. Barnett began rather confidently, while Edrich was nervous, but there was no indication thus far that the wicket was behaving abnormally. Barnett weakly lifted the last ball of McCormick’s third over just out of reach of a fieldsman. The gates were closed at 11.30. In McCormick’s fourth over Barnett tried to hook a short ball and skied a catch to fine leg, which Barnett ran and accepted. His display was vastly superior to that In his first innings. Edrich was lucky when he played a ball of McCormick’s same over which rolled to the base of his stumps, but did not disturb his bails. Hardstaff was unhappy in the first over from O’Reilly, while McCormick was keeping up a high standard of accuracy, sometimes making tho ball lift. He continually worried Edrich. Fleetwood-Smith was called on at 62, while O’Reilly took McCormick’s end. The batsmen were completely tied np and only three were added in 45 minutes. They floundered against Fleetwood-Smith In the seventh over O’Reilly remeasured his run with great deliberation and clean-bowled Hardstaff, who was hopelessly beaten. The bowlers now appeared to be getting something from the wicket. Hammond was out next ball, which he tried to turn gently to leg and waa beaten by the spin. Brown at short leg taking a splendid catch low down with his right hand. Thus three wickets had fallen in forty minutes for the addition of 24. In addition Edrich was out in Fleetwood-Smith's next over, being splendidly stumped off a wrong’un by Barnett. Edrich was 110 minutes at the wicket but showed poor form. The excellence of the bowling completely cramped his style. Paynter survived a confident leg appeal off O’Reilly. A couple of fours came from Compton and then ominous signs showed of the wicket crumbling. Compton in trying to hook O’Reilly hit the ball with the handle of his bat and Barnett took a swift leg-side catch. It was an exciting morning’s cricket. Payner and Price did their best to master the spin. Paynter coolly judged every hittable ball, but O’Reilly looked menacing. Price was out after a stay of twenty minutes. Verity came in twenty minutes before lunch and stayed for a couple of overs. Then he was bowled and off the next ball Wright was caught at second slip, the ball spinning from his bat. Tarnes managed to prevent Fleet-wood-Smith getting the hat-trick and it was left to O’Reilly to uproot his middle stump. Bowes received an uproarious welcome but was out leg-before to the first ball.