MISFORTUNE FOR ENGLISHMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26349, 2 January 1947, Page 5

MISFORTUNE FOR ENGLISHMEN

Voce and Edrich Incapacitated Early in Third Test (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 1. England did a grand job in the third test at Melbourne, when, with two bowlers, Voce and Edrich, injured and off the field, they captured six Australian wickets for 255 runs. The conditions were ideal, but the batting was strangely tentative. Bradman seemed set for his usual century when, in trying a forcing shot, he played on. Although chapceless, his innings contained many uncertain shots. In between, however, there was delightful placing and timing. Barnes was confident and hitting cleanly. Hassett never settled down. Morris again failed. Miller was good in parts. Yardley, stepping into the breach, did a fine job in dismissing Bradman and Johnson*with successive deliveries. Bedser was lionhearted and accurate. Wright improved as the game proceeded. The attendance was 66,274, and the gross takings were £8557, showing a record net profit of £6583.

Australia won the toss and batted on a perfect wicket in delightful weather for the third test. Voce replaced Smith for England, and Freer is twelfth man for Australia. Voce and Bedser opened the bowling and bowled many under-length balls, but with occasional swingers either way. Some short rising- balls hit Barnes on the knee and hand, and some half pitchers flew overhead. Barnes swung Wright’s first ball hard, striking Edrich heavily on the knee. He received treatment for several minutes, but left the field later. This was a great loss s to the Englishmen, his howling being an asset to them. Morris was bowled leg before wicket in Bedser’s sixth over, after play had been in progress for 50 minutes. Morris hit two 4’s after snicking the first ball of Bedser's opening over to the wicketkeeper. Bradman was given a great ovation by the huge crowd. He took only a few minutes to pass Barnes’s score. His superb placing was a feature, and at lunch he was 30 to Barnes’s 20, with the score at one for 71. Barnes scored two successive 4’s to leg off Voce in the first over after lunch, the bowler then leaving the ground with a torn groin muscle, arid Fishlock fielding. This additional strain has already weakened the bowling. Barnes swung Bedser’s no-ball high to the fence, but. the. next delivery struck him on the . toe, and he was out leg-before-wicket after 117 minutes of play. He hit three 4’s. Bradman Survives Lbw Appeal With Voce and Edrich out of action, Hammond called on Yardley. This steady right-hander bowled at a medium pace and appealed for leg-be-fore-wiCket, but Bradman survived and pulled the next delivery to reach his 50 after 79 minutes of safe, steady batting • > Hassett adopted a passive role, as he did in the Brisbane test, but excellent fielding, particularly by Hutton, kept the runs down. Wright obtained a reward for his excellent bowling when Hassett. who was at the crease for 53 minutes, snicked a ball and was caught at first slip. Miller pulled Wright fiercely to the fence, to make the tea score three for 164. Batsmen Subdued The batsmen were by no means dominant after tea. Miller twice hit

Wright for 4, but Bradman was strangely quiet. Bradman tried to pull Yardley, but played on to his wicket. Though, not at his best, Bradman’s innings was useful. He took 169 minutes and hit two 4’s. Johnson w&s

out next ball. Four runs later Miller attempted a chop and snicked the ball to the wicket-keeper. Tallon and McCool, each with nice driving, stopped the. rot, adding 63 runs. Scores:— AUSTRALIA First Innings Barnes, lbw, b Bedser .. .. ... ,45 Morris, lbw, b Bedser .. ..... 21 Bradman, b Yardley .. .. 79 Hassett, c Hammond, b Wright 12 Miller, c Evans, b Wright .. ... 3.3 Johnson, lbw, b Yardley '.. .. 0 McCool, not out .. .. ....... 28 Tallon, not out .. .. .. ... .. 35 Extras .. .... .. ;. .. 2 Total for six wickets . . . . , 255 Wickets fell at one for 32, two for 108, three for 143, four for 188, five for

188 ; six for 192. , v -- ,.;W Bowling Analysis 0. M. R. W. Voce .... 10 2 40 /0. Bedser .. 22 2 67 2 Wright .. 21 1 109 2 Yardley , 18 4 37 2