M.C.C. MAKES 349 FOR EIGHT WICKETS AGAINST VICTORIA

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1946, Page 5

M.C.C. MAKES 349 FOR EIGHT WICKETS AGAINST VICTORIA

PERFECT WICKET AND FAST OUTFIELD Recd. 11 p.m. Melbourne, Oct. 31 Batting against Victoria to-day, the M.C.C., at slumps, had made 349 runs for the loss of eight wickets. The wicket was perfect and the outfield fast. England won the toss and look the opportunity the wicket presented. A bad start was made by Washbrook snicking the first ball he received from Johnson, a fairly fast left-han-der, who made the ball, with a good length rise higher than expected. Hutton, who was more confident, stayed 31 minutes until he lost the flight of a ball from Johnson—a slow off-spinner—and was bowled off the pads. Gibbs was never confident, and was nearly bowled several times but stuck 90 minutes before a good length slow leg-break from Ring bowled him. Hardstaff was never on top, although he used his feet. He hit Johnson high for four, and pulled the next for three before the fast and medium right-hander trapped him with a slower ball.

Compton was the star ot the in. nings, although he had a slight early difficulty in judging the flight—running out to short pitchers and playing back to over-pitched balls. When he settled down, he played delightful strokes everywhere, favouring sweeping leg shoots and making full tosses of those of good length, which were punched straight. There were several delightlul coverdrives. He hit three fours ip one over olt' Ring, a short ball going behind point; cracked another to square leg, turned a third off the hip, and a fine leg to the fence, reaching 50 it 77 minutes, including seven fours The highlight of the match was Compton's 143 in 190 minutes,'and his 19 fours were perfect gems of hardhitting and well-timed aggression. He was a little uncertain in footwork, but he soon settled down to delighting the critics with stroke play. In one spell, when 100 was added only 27 came from Yardley, his partner. Sweeping leg shots - and delightful shots past cover and point, were features of his innings. He was worried occasionally with Tripe's “wrong-gun,” but ne generally was the master. This display indicates Australia wih have difficulty in keeping England to a reasonable score in the tests. Yardley enhances his test prospects with a sound, unspectacular display, with leg-side play especially strong. Voce and Bedser hit out merrily, scoring three sixes. The attendance was 14,193 and takings £1034. Scores:— ENGLAND First Innings Hutton, b Johnson . 15 Washbrook, c Barnett, b Johnston 0 Gibb, b Ring 22 Compton, c Harvey, b Ring 113 Hardstaff, lbw, b Freer 15 Yardley, c and b Tribe 70 Ikin, not out 22 Langridge, lbw, b Tribe U Voce, c and b Johnson 21 Bedser, not out 22 Extras 19 Total for eight wickets 349 The wickets fell: One lor 3, two for 31, three for 76, tour for 132, five for 251, six for 293, seven for 293, eight for 318.

BOWLING Johnston O. 15 M. 1 R. 65 w. 1 Freer 19 3 62 1 Johnson 18 2 79 2 Tribe 23 3 82 2 Ring 9 1 42 2