ENGLAND STARTS WELL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26350, 3 January 1947, Page 5

ENGLAND STARTS WELL

Fine Unfinished Partnership by Washbrook and Edrich (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. t. After Australia’s tail had wagged merrily and McCool had made a fine century, England set out grimly to retrieve the situation on the second day of the third test. Hutton, England’s record-breaker, again disappointed, but Washbrook, grimly determined, and Edrich, calm and aggressive, were associated in a fine unfinished partnership./' Another great crowd of 70,863 attended, and the gate was £9276 gross, a new record (£7182 net) for the ground. The weather was perfect.

Edrich unexpectedly recovered and dramatically opened play by dismissing Tallon with his first ball. Lindwall made several good shots before Bedser got a good one through. McCool, in spite of dangerous flicks, shaped confidently and hit successive 4’s off Bedser behind point and to square leg. They were grand shots. A pull for three in the same over made 50 for the partnership. Dooland’s share was nine in 44 minutes. McCool became top scorer by a powerful pull in Edrich’s next over, giving a fine display. The pair were still together at lunch,

when the score was eight for 332 (McCool 85). McCool, delightfully pulling Edrich for four and straight driving the next three, reached his first test century in the smart time of 172 minutes. It was a grand display all round. Dooland made 19 in . an invaluable 83 partnership before being smartly caught. The innings fended with 365 runs made in 405 minutes. McCool, not out, had compiled 104 in 183 minutes. Hutton’s Early Departure There were early sensations when England 1 began to bat. 1 In Lindwall’s second over, Hutton did not get over an out-swinger and touched it to McCool, who took a smart catch at first slip Lindwall bowled all out-swingers and Miller in-swingers, but both came

straight through after three overs Toshack had four men on the leg side and both the English batsmen swung him powerfully. McCool turned appreciably but an- occasional shoipt one was cover-driven. Dooland, who had his first bowl in a test, was fairly accurate and turned less than McCool. Edrich was more aggressively confident, but Washbrook was determined to get a start. Edrich gave Barnes at silly leg a sharp chance, but the ball was too hot to hold. He swung Toshack powerfully to leg and reached his 51 in 85 minutes. They brought the total to 100 and their 100 partnership was made in 115 minutes. Scores:— . v 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 .. .. 33 Johnson, lbw, b Yardley 0 McCool, not out .. .. .. .. 104 Tallon, c Evans, b Edrich .. .. 35 Lindwall, b Bedser 9 Dooland, c Hammond,-b Edrich .. 29 Toshack, c Hutton, b Edrich .. 6 Extras .. :. 2 Total .. .. .. 365 Wickets fell at one for 32, two for 108, three for 143, four for 188. five for 188, six for 192, seven for 255, eight for 272, nine for 355. Bowling Analysis

O. M. ,R. W. Voce 10 2 40 0 Bedser 31 4 993 Wright 26 3 124 2 Vardley 20 4 50 2 Edrich 10.3 2 50 3 ENGLAND. First Innings Hutton, c McCool b Lindwall .. 2 Washbrook, not out !. 54 Edrich, not out .. I 85 Extras .. 6 Total for one wicket .. 147 Bowling Analysis O. M. R. W. Lindwall 8 0 29 1 Miller 7 0 18 0 ' Toshaek 11 1 39 0 McCool 8 0 28 0 Dooland 7 2 13 0 Johnson 5 1 14 0