INNINGS VICTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27276, 30 December 1949, Page 5

INNINGS VICTORY

SOUTH AFRICA ROUTED AUSTRALIAN SPIN BOWLERS DEADLY NZPA—Copyright CAPE TOWN, Dec. 28.The South African batsmen collapsed today on a sticky wicket in the first test at Johannesburg, and Australia won by an innings and 85 runs. The Australian spin bowlers routed the South Africans. W. Johnston, bowling spinners, took five of the eight wickets which fell today, and lan Johnson the other three. Heavy rain last night soaked the pitch, and sunshine this morning made it sticky. South Africa resumed at 84 for two wickets and at lunch had lost eight for 184. W. Johnston and lan Johnson had shared the wickets. After lunch W. Johnston finished off the rout in quick time, getting the tralia two wickets, while 7 runs were being scored. Only Nourse and Cheetham offered real resistance to the Australian attack. Nourse used his feet well, and hit the ball powerfully, but after an hour’s batting he fell to a wild hook shot which he mistimed. Cheetham batted doggedly for his runs. The South African innings took 249 minutes.

During the four days 83,658 people attended, which is a test record in South Africa. This is the ninth time Australia has beaten South Africa by an innings in a test, and the fourth time in succession. Australia won the last three tests in South Africa in 1935-36 by an innings. The Australians had all the luck of this test, and the South Africans went down fighting. In some ways their test performance was encouraging, and the Australians can expect much stiffer opposition in future test games. Scores:— 1 AUSTRALIA First innings .. - - 413 SOUTH AFRICA First innings 137 Second Innings , E. .Rowan, Ibw, b McCool .. .. 32 .Wynne, c Saggers, b W. Johnston 33 Nel, c Saggers, bW. Johnston .. 14 Nourse, c Saggers, b lan Johnson 36 Wade, b W. Johnston 11 Watkins, c Miller, b lan Johnson 0 Tayfield, c Miller, b lan Johnson 0 Mann, lbw, bW. Johnston • • • • 13 Cheetham, c Hassett, b W. Johnston • • • • 35 Smith, c McCool, bW. Johnston .. 1 McCarthy, not out .. 1 Extras Total 191 Bowling Analysis.—Lindwall, none for 25; W. Johnston, six for 44; Loxton, none for 11; lan Johnson, three for 50; McCool, one for 19; Miller, none for 27. The second test between South Africa and Australia will commence at Cape Town on Saturday.