OXFORD’S HARD TASK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26778, 22 May 1948, Page 7

OXFORD’S HARD TASK

AVERTING 'INNINGS DEFEAT AUSTRALIANS’ COMMANDING POSITION N.Z.P.A.—Copyright LONDON, May 20. The Australians seem likely to gain their sixth innings win of the tour against Oxford. The University team failed in their first innings, and were forced to follow on. The Victorian, W. Johnston, twice started the well-balanced Oxford team on the way to disaster. He took the second and third wickets in Oxford’s first innings with successive balls when the University score was 19, and, when they followed on, he bowled the opener, Bloy. at 23, and had Webb caught at 33. Each of Hassett’s four stock bowlers shared in and deserved wickets. Kardar, the slim, quick-footed Pakistan player, was the only batsman to tackle the bowling confidently. He was undefeated at stumps after a bright 54 in the first innings. A big score from him will be necessary tomorrow to avert an outright defeat, but the wicket has dusty patches to aid the Australian bowlers. The Australians ran their overnight score of eight for 404 to 431 in half an hour this morning, Loxlon remaining not out after a workmanlike innings of 177 minutes, with five 4’s and one 6. Dust was flying from the wicket when Oxford resumed its second innings on Friday. Scores;— Australia , First Innings Brown, lbw, b Kardar 108 Morris, run out 64 Harvey, c Pawson, b Kardar .. 23 Hassett, c Robinson, b Whitcombe 0 Hamence. c Davidson, b Mallett .. 3 McColl, b Whitcombe 50 Loxton, not out 79 Saggers, b Travers 6 Ring, b Travers 53 Toshack, c and b Mallett .. .. 2 W. Johnston, b Mallett 13 Extras 30 Total 431 Bowling Analysis.—Whitcombe, two for 83; Mallett, tfyree for 110; Travers, two for 36; Kardar, two for 118; Robinson, none for 54. Oxford ' First Innings Keighley, c Luxton, b Ring .. .. 33 Bloy, c Harvey, b Loxton .. .. 7 Webb, c Saggers, bW. Johnston .. 1 Pawson, b W. Johnston 0 Kardar, c Hamence. b McCool .. 54 Travers, c McCool, b Toshack .. 6 Van Ryneveld, run out 32 Mallett b Toshack 0 Whitcombe, run out 26 Robinson, c Hassett, b Toshack .. 3 Davidson, not out 1 Extras 19 . Total 185 Bowling Analysis.—W. Johnson, two for 40; Loxton, one for 14; Ring, one for 39: Toshack, three for 34; McCool, one for 39. Second Innings Keighley, lbw, b McCool 9 Blov, b W. Johnston 13 Webb, c Brown, bW. Johnston .. 3 Pawson, c McCool, b Toshack .. 15 Kardar, b Morris 29 Van Ryneveld, lbw. b Toshack .. 14 ( Travers, b Toshack 0' Whitcombe, lbw, b Loxton .. .. 26 Mallett, not out 3 Extras 12

Total for eight wickets .. 124 Scores as at luncheon adjournment on the last day of play.

The Australians will begin their match against M.C.C. at Lord’s to-day (Saturday).