England Set Huge Task To Win the Final Test

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26853, 18 August 1948, Page 5

England Set Huge Task To Win the Final Test

From Walter Hammond N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent

Rec. 8.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. In my view England must make 650 in their second innings to stand a chance of winning the fifth and final test. After the batsmen had failed so dismally, the England bowlers, particularly Hollies, did a good job in dismissing Australia for 389 on a wicket which had dried out and was easy-paced. Morris, who is generally picked to be Bradman’s successor, made 196, his own highest test score. It was a chanceless and remorseless effort, with much scoring on the off. Morris never took a risk or forced the pace until he ran himself out just short of his double century.

Of the seven England bowlers tried to-day, only Hollies looked like getting wickets, and his five for 131 was a well-deserved reward for his long spells of steady and accurate bowling. Bedser gave him good support, but without much luck after beating the bat many times. The England attack was weakened by the inability of Watkins to bowl. He is receiving treatment for a swollen shoulder received when batting agains* Lindwall, and may not be able to bowl again in this match.

England’s fielding to-day was generally good, Crapp finishing the innings with two grand slip catches. Some of the throwing in was rather wild, and should be improved. Yardley’s decision to retain Dewes as an opener for the second innings surprised me and more so when he took strike. He was obviously nervous, and the ordeal was a big one for a youngster. He did a little better than he did in the first innings, bui he was deceived by a slower ball from Lindwall which just flicked his off stump. The outfield was noticeably faster than on Saturday, and once the ball passed the field it was over the boundary. The week-end rain had not affected the wicket and it looked much drier than on Saturday. I had rather expected the ball to be flying a bit. This Oval wicket is very different from the one I remember in pre-war days, when it was very fast. As play proceeded it was more and more evident that Australia. was:likely.

to put up a formidable total, though with only 90 on for the first two hours I thought the rate could have been faster.

Evans kept wicket in his best form. His taking of the ball against Bedser was admirable and his stumping of Miller was a brilliant piece of work. Bedser bowled very well towards the end and was pegging all the batsmen down, even including Morris.