ENGLAND’S CHANCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26822, 13 July 1948, Page 5

ENGLAND’S CHANCES

THIRD CRICKET TEST AUSTRALIANS FACE UP-HILL STRUGGLE From Walter Hammond LONDON. July 11. With seven second innings wickets in hand and a lead of 316, England ljiave the best chance of beating Australia in a test since the final game in Sydney in the 1946-47 series. The fine sustained bowling of Pollard (three for 50) and Bedser (four for 81) put England on top and showed that the Australians are not invincible when fighting an uphill struggle. They looked a vastly different side from what they were at Nottingham and Lord’s. Pollard bowled magnificently, deserving much better luck. Bedser backed him excellently, though he was not quite as accurate as on the previous day. I hope the groundsmen at Leeds and the Oval will take note that these Australians look a very different batting side on a green-top wicket. Thev have been warned. When the Australians continued their innings at the start of play Miller was in all sorts of trouble from

Bedser's opening over. Pollard was bowling well, and he beat Morris completely with one ball. Miller continued to be unccmlortable. and I was not surprised when he was given out leg before to Pollard Barnes received a great ovation from the crowd when he appeared, but in my opinion he was unwise in his decision to bat. However, he has a reputation for being tough, but it soon became obvious that he should have stayed away, and eventually Bradman had to persuade him to retire. He walked off slowly, helped by Bradman and Compton, with Yardley carrying his bat. Pollard continued to bowl magnificently. He had Morris in continual trouble, and the left-hander took 45 minutes to get three runs. He has certainly not had to work as hard for a half-century before during this tour. He had some luck, but this could not. continue indefinitely. Edrich. bowling better than of late, earned full marks for getting Tallon’s valuable wicket. Sending down a few bumpers, he gave Lindwall a taste of what he had been handing out to England. When Loxton was bowled after 75 minutes of enterprising batting, it looked as if Australia might not get

enough runs to avoid a follow-on, but a lucky snick by Lindwall removed the I doubt, however, whether, in view of England’s limited number of bowlers. Yardley would have enforced a follow-on. I was much impressed with Evans s wicket-keeping, and apart from a small blemish when he missed W. Johnston, he gave one of his best exhibitions. England’s hopes crashed a bit when Emmett was caught by Tallon. who was so delighted by breaking nis sequence of dropped catches that ho ran round and round throwing up the ball. Lindwall and Miller began to give all they had, and the fight was on • but both bowled short. After a noball by Lindwall, I noticed him having a few words with the umpire. This was indeed a test match atmosphere—a grim fight, and some feeling had crept into the game. There was a noticable coolness when Lindwall took his sweater from the umpire at the end of the over Bumpers by Miller, which had caused Edrich to duck, drew some comment from the crowd. For on.:e things were not going Australia's wa and when Hassett dropped Washbu*; ne certainly showed his annoyance. Just when England seemed to have a grip on the game,, Edrich hesitated on a Washbrook call and was run out when he was beginning to get runs quickly. It was bad luck, but thrue seems no doubt that both he and Washbrook will be retained for the fourth test after their showing in this Comnton had bad luck in going for a duck, being caught by Miller in the slips off Toshack. but, after all, lm served England magnificently in the first innings. With England in a comfortable lead, 1 feel we can look for some exciting cricket in the last two days, for these Australians are great fighters and do not give up easily English cricket experts agree that England is in a winning poo.i.on , the third test, and that if England 'vins. a hard fight may develop for the ashes. They point out that a win would® make England a . greater force in the next two tests by boosting morale, which suffered in the first two test 0