DEVASTATING START

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26606, 31 October 1947, Page 5

DEVASTATING START

INDIAN BATSMEN COLLAPSE MATCH AGAINST VICTORIA Rec. 1 a.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 30, After a devastating start, in whicn three wickets fell for none, all to Bill Johnston, the fastish left-hand bowler, the Indian cricket team recovered, and when an appeal against the light was upheld at 5.38 p.m. it had lost seven wickets for 283 runs in the maten against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Amarnath, whose grand 157 (not out) occupied 25< minutes and included six 4’s. joined Sarwate when the score stood at three for none. Amarnath immediately began playing strokes all round the wickets, excelling at turning the ball off his legs and cover and off-driving. Unafraid to use his feet, and even when approachine three figures, he still attacked the bowlers. Sarwate gave solid support, the pair adding 107 for the fourth wicket. With Amarnath resting, Amir Elahi delighted the crowd with carefree hitting, some of it strong-arm stuff. He was missed twice, and scored 46 in 27 minutes, hitting six 4’s and one 6. The early batsmen gave hands away trying to play shots before sighting Johnston’s swingers. The Victorian attack, after the initial burst by Johnston, was unimpressive, except for lan Johnson’s flighted off-spinners. Scores:— India First Innings Mankad, c Baker, bW. Johnston 0 Sarwate, bI. Johnson .. .. .. 32 Rangnekar, c Fothergill, b Johnston 0 Hazare, c Johnson, bW. Johnston 0 Amarnath, not out .. 157 Gul Mahomed, cN. Harvey, b Ring 3 Kishenchand. c Baker, bI. Johnson 17 Amir Elahi, c N. Harvey, b Freer 46 Nayudu, not out 22 Extras .. •• „ Total for seven wickets .. 283 Bowling* Analysis.—W. Johnston, 18 overs, 1 maiden, 44 runs, 3 wickets; Freer, If}. 2, 65, 1: I Johnson, 20. 3. 72, 2; Ring, 17, 1, 78, 1; Loxton, 4, 0. 13. 0: Fothergill, 1,0, 5, 0.