M.C.C’s Big Fight to Save Test

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1939, Page 7

M.C.C’s Big Fight to Save Test

(Received 2 p.m.) DURBAN, March 13.

Commencing the eighth day’s play at 253 for one wicket (Hutton 55), the English cricketers carried their second innings total in the final test against South Africa to 496 for three wickets. Having been set to .amass 696 in the fourth innings of the game, the Marylebone side, therefore, requires 200 more runs, and, with seven wickets standing, has a chance of creating the world’s most famous victory. The not out men overnight were Edrich (107) and Gibb (78) and at lunch they had not been separated. Edrich was then 152 and Gibb 112. Another 163 runs had been added after lunch (the total was then 333), when bad light once again caused stumps to be pulled early.

Meantime Edrich and Gibb had been dismissed; and the captain, Hammond, and Paynter were together. Reckoning in two Sundays, and last Saturday lost through rain, the match has extended over 11 days. The Englishmen must leave Durban tomorrow evening to catch the liner at Capetown for home, so that the return fixture with Western Province, set down for March 11, 13 and 14, cannot be played on later dates. Although the wicket showed signs of cracking it played few tricks until a top spinner from Dalton got Gibb. He had been 71 hours at the crease for 120 runs.

Edrich, who was back .in his old pre-test form, in England, gave a chanceless, display in topping the double century. He batted for 7:1 hours, and hit 25 boundaries. Scores. — SOUTH AFRICA, First Innings 530 Second Innings 481 Aggregate ... —lOll ENGLAND, First Innings 316 Second Innings. Hutton, b Mitchell 55 Gibb, b Dalton 120 Edrich, c Gordon, b Langton .... 219 Hammond, not out 58 Paynter, not out 24 Extras 20 Total for three wickets 496 Bowling: Dalton took one wicket for 84 runs; Mitchell, 1 for 97; Langton, 1 for 105; Newson, 0 for 60; Gordon, 0 for 130.