BRILLIANT BATTING BY ENGLISH TEAM

Southland Times, Issue 25746, 9 August 1945, Page 5

BRILLIANT BATTING BY ENGLISH TEAM

Good Start In Chase After Australia’s Score Of 388

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, August. 7. Brilliant batting by the openers, Hutton and Fishlock, and later enterprising strokemaking by Robertson, Hammond and Washbrook gave England a very good start in the chase after Australia’s first innings total of 388 in the fourth victory test at Lords. The game seems certain now to result in a draw. The Australians, with the exception of Pepper, did not score fast enough. It took Australia seven hours to knock up 388, but England showed how favourable the wicket was to their batsmen by amassing 249 in exactly half that time.

Hutton and Fishlock attacked the bowling from the outset and put on 73, the best first wicket stand for England of the series. Robertson showed class batting and Washbrook displayed his usual brilliance. Hammond was not so impressive as usual. Australia was handicapped by the loss of the wicketkeeper, Sismey, who has an injured hand. The sundries for England so far total 51. The scores are: — Australia (first innings): 388 (Miller 118, Pepper 57, and Pettiford 32). Bowling for England Pope took four for 83, Pollard four for 145, and Roberts two for 39.

England (first innings): Three wickets down for 249 (Hutton 35, Fishlock 69, Robertson 25, Hammond not out 38, Washbrook not out 31. Stumps were then drawn.