Australia Keeps Ashes

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 175, 27 July 1938, Page 5

Australia Keeps Ashes

Bassett’s Cool Head Turned the Scales O’REILLY’S GREAT FEAT United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, July 25. Whether they win or lose at the Oval, Australia will retain the Ashes,” says the Australian Associated Press. “The fourth Test was au extraordinary match, confounding nearly every forecast. It ended in a gallant victory for the Australians, who batted with determination against bowling which might have overawed a less stouthearted side. “Tho total of 105 doc 3 not sound many to got, but so many queer things have happened at Leeds that it was impossible to take anything for granted. The match was in the balance when Brown, Fingleton, Bradman and McCabe were gone. It was then Hassett’s cool head that turned the scales. “Australia, after losing tho toss and having the worst » " the light, unquestionably deserved to win this Test, which will probably go down in history a 3 O’Reilly's match, but Bradman’s steadfastness on Saturday was an unforgettable contribution.” J. B. Hobbs, writing in the Star, says: “The English batsmen’s difficulties were due to the ball hanging on the pitch. It was not the ball turning but the pace of the wicket, with an atmosphere allowing the ball to do something in the air, which baffled them.” Howard Marshall, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says: “The Australians hilly deserved their great victory. The jpectators were inclined to blame England’s batting, but let us instead praise the persistent accuracy and control of ffie Australian attack.”

The Times says: “The wicket was taking the spin to-day, but that cannot hilly explain the fatuity of some of England’s batting.'"

Leading Batsmen

THIRTY-THREE CENTURIES TO AUSTRALIA SO FAR

Thirty-three centuries have been scored by Australian batsmen on the present tour. Bradman has secured 12, including two double centuries. Brown has also ma'de two double centuries. Six centuries have been scored against the Australians. These include double centuries by Paynter and Hammond. respectively. Details are as follow:

D C 5. Bradman.—273 v. M.C.C.; 258 v. Worcester; 145 not out v. Hampshire; 144 not out v. England; 14.4 v. Notts; 143 v. Surrey; 137 v. Cambridge; 135 v. Warwick; 104 v. Gentlemen; 102 not cut v. England (second test); 101 not out v. Lancashire; 103 v. England (fourth test). W. A. 8r0wn.—265 not out v. Derbyshire; 206 not out v. England (second test); 194 not out v. Northamptonshire; 133 v. England; 101 v. Warwick. A L. Hassett.—22o not out v. Cambridge; 148 v. Leicester; 146 v. Oxford; 124 v. Notts; 118 v. Lancashire. J. H. Fingleton.—l24 v. Oxford; 123 not out v. Hampshire; 121 v. Gentlemen; 111 v. Cambridge. C. L. Babcock.—l9B v. Leicester; 186 v. Cambridge; 112 not out v. Gentlemen. S. J. McCabe.—232 v. England; 110 v. Oxford. B. A. Barnett.—l2o not out v. Surrey. A. G. Chipperfield.—lo4 not out v. Leicester. CENTURIES AGAINST W. R. Hammond.—24o, for England (second test). E. Paynter.:-216 not put, for England. C. J. Barnett.—l 26, for England. C. S. Dempster.—los, for Leicestershire D. Compton.—lo2, for England. L. Hutton. —100, for England. The Australians have played 19 matches to date. They have won 11 and eight have been drawn. The third Test match at Manchester was abandoned without a ball being bowled*