Australians 78 Behind On 'Sticky Day' Wicket

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1948, Page 7

Australians 78 Behind On 'Sticky Day' Wicket

LONDON, Thu. (11.15 a.m.). —The Australians, after the calamities that befell them on an unpredictable, rain-damaged wicket, face the last day’s play against Hampshire tomorrow with a confidence which many who watched the display today do not share, says the Australian Associated Press correspondent.

The first innings was a repetition of the match against Yorkshire exactly a month ago, when the team, on a sticky wicket, came within inches of defeat.

Play was abandoned for the day because of rain. » AUSTRALIA First innings: Barnes, lbvv, b Bailey, 20; Brown, c Ransom, b Herman. 0; Hassett, lbw, b Knott, 26; Miller, b Knott, 39; Loxton. lbw, b Bailey, 0; Hamence. b Knott, 5; I. Johnson, b Bailey, 2; Harvey, e Hill, b Bailey, 1; Saggers, e Arnold, b Knott, 17; Ring, c Dawson, b Knott, 0; W. Johnston, not out, 2; extras, 5; total, 117. Bowling: Herman, 1 for 18; Ransom, 0 for 10; Knott, 5 for 57; Bailey, 4 for 27.

Hampshire, now S 3 runs ahead, will be in a strong position if, as the forecast indicates, tomorrow’s weather is similar to today’s and they go for quick runs, regardless of the consequences. ® ALL AT SEA The Australians were all at sea today on a “sticky dog” pitch. This morning the batsmen collapsed and the side was all out before lunch for 117. For the first time on their tour, the Australians are behind on the first innings. Hampshire having a lead of 73 runs. Hassett and Loxton were both dismissed lbw with only 17 added to the score and then Miller was clean-bowl-ed by Knott. Rain stopped play for a brief period, bul on resumption the last four wickets fell for the addition of 21 runs. ONE BRIGHT SPOT The Australians lost eight wickets for G 3 runs in 80 minutes. The ball skidded, kicked and turned unpredictably after heavy rain last night and alternating sunshine and showers this morning. Miller’s 39 was the only bright spot in the Australian innings. As a measure of the amount of spin the wicket took. Knott, a right-arm offspinner, who took five for 57, had to bowl round the wicket to prevent the ball spinning too far from the bat. Tiie first innings was a repetition of A hailstorm just before lunch prevented any further play today. HAMPSHIRE First innings: 195. Second innings: Arnold, not cut. .3; Rogers, net out, 0; extras, 2; total for no wickets, 5.

Rain Spoils Trial

LONDON, Thu. (11.30 a.m.)— Rain again seriously interfered with the test trial game at Birmingham, play lasting only 165 minutes. Bedser and Wright bowled in their best form. Scores:

The Rest: First innings, nine for 158 dec. (after stumps had been drawn), Palmer 11. Emmett 15, Fishlock 35, Cranston 4, Broderick 14. Robins 5, Butler 8, Griffiths not out 38.

Bowli: four for

ng.—Edrich, one for 29; Bedser ■ 50; Wright, four for 36.