COMPTON’S CENTURY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26298, 1 November 1946, Page 8

COMPTON’S CENTURY

AN OUTSTANDING DISPLAY ENGLAND v. VICTORIA MELBOURNE. (Rec. 0.30 a.m.) Oct. 31. With a perfect wicket and a fast outfield, England won the toss against Victoria and went in first. A bad start was made, Washbrook snicking the first ball he received from Johnton, a fairly fast left-hander, who made a good length ball rise higher than expected. Hutton, who was more confident, stayed 36 minutes until he lost sight of a ball from Johnson, a slow off-spinner, and was bowled off his pads. Gibb was never confident and was nearly bowled several times but remained for 90 minutes before a good length ball from Ring, a slow leg-break bowler, beat him. Hardstaff was never on top, although he used his feet to hit Johnson high for four. He pulled the next for three, but the bowler trapped him with v slower ball.

The highlight of the match was Compton’s 143, made in 190 minutes, and his 19 4’s were perfect gems of hard-hitting and well-timed aggres-

sion. He was a little uncertain in his footwork early, but he soon settled down, delighting the critics with his stroke play. In one spell, when 100 was added, only 27 came from Yardley, his partner. Sweeping leg shots and delightful shots past cover and point were features of his innings. 'He was worried occasionally with Tribe’s wrong’un, but he was generally the master. This display indicates that Australia will have difficulty in keeping England to a reasonable score in the tests. Yardley enhanced his test prospects with a sound, unspectacular display, with his leg-side play especially strong. Voce and Bedser hit out merrily, scoring three 6’s. The attendance was 14,193 and the gate takings £1034. Following are the scores:— ENGLAND \ First Innings Hutton, b' Johnson .. 15 Washbrook, c Barnett, b Johnston 0 Gibb, b Ring .. .. 22 Compton, c Harvey, b Ring .. ..143 Hardstaff, Ibw, b Freer 15 Yardley, c and b Tribe 70 Ikin, not out 22 Langridge, lbw, b Tribe 0 Voce, c and b Johnson 21 Bedser, not out 22 Extras 19 Total for eight wickets .. 349 Wickets fell at 3, 31, 76, 132, 251, 293, 293, 318. Bowling Analysis.—Johnston, 15 overs, 1 maiden, 65 runs, 1 wicket; Freer, 19, 3, 21, 1; Johnson, 18, 2, 79, 2; Tribe 23. 3, 82, 2; Ring, 9,1, 42, 2.