England Taking Much More Effective Steps To Win Third Test

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1949, Page 5

England Taking Much More Effective Steps To Win Third Test

(By Alan Mitchell, N.Z.P.A. Special Representative with the team) OLD TRAFFORD, July 23 (Rec. 6 pm).—England is showing much more purpose and determination about winning this third test at Old Trafford than they did about the first two games at Leeds and Lords. It is not only that desire which every team has to win; it goes rather deeper than that. There is a general feeling in English cricket circles that England should do much better against New Zealand, even in three days, that something must be done to increase self-respect and prestige; and also a feeling that unless some definite decision is reached in this match, the public interest in the fourth and final test at the Oval may be little more than polite and academic. A victory either for England or New Zealand, it is felt, is necessary for the various reasons mentioned, and also, from New Zealand’s point of view, to sustain interest in the tour. A win for either side at Old Trafford would undoubtedly lead to a grand fight at the Oval. Bzown, who, incidently, fought beside the Maoris at Crete, where he won the M.8.E., | and was taken prisoner, has been ; brought in not only with an Australian tour in view, but also to impart a firmer handling of the English team than Mann’s rather easy going and boyish personality has provided. And England’s bowling has been given more variety! It was this determination of England to attempt Io force a decision 'and hope that their bowlers can extract the New Zealanders twice in three days that decided Brown, one feels, to put New Zealand in to bat when he won the toss, rather than : any preoccupations about, the state of the wicket. It is true that the

pilch was on the softish side after heavy rain, which ended two days previously, but it was easy paced today and, apart from the pre-lunch period when it was useful to the seamers, devoid of guile. Bailey aided this policy by bowling well and getting two very useful quick wickets by dismissing Sutcliffe and Scott. Yet if these two wickets were well earned, there was some elemcy of luck about the removal of bo A Wallace and Hadlee before lunch. ( Donnelly and Reid.showed there was' nothing particularly terrifying about | the England attack and Rabone and Burtt appeared quite at home in ! another useful stand. Though Brown handled his bowlers I

well and New Zealand’s total was not particularly impressive, he has still an important second part to play in England’s policy. When England bat they must score quickly—there must be no Hutton four-hours-for-century; they must go for a substantial lead on Monday and try to remove New Zealand again on Tuesday. Whether the England batsmen can be light-hearted and treat the New Zealand bowling with impunity remains to be seen. If there are no climatic interferences and the pitch continues to be as easy as it is today, a quick England score is a possibility. DONNELLY THE COMPLETE CRICKETER At all events this match will continue to be interesting. For the third time Donnelly has proved his immense value in a test. First at Leeds, in a stand with Smith, then at Lords with his double century, now with Reid in another century stand, and with another comfortable score, he has shown himself the complete cricketer. A feature of his batting today was a I continuation of his interesting duel ; with Bailey. It began when Donnelly was at Oxford and Bailey at Cambridge, and has continued in all three tests this year. Each match Donnelly has taken the edge and runs off Bailey, particularly at Lords. Today he was equally merciless with Bailey —but the England bowler had some recompense at long last by having Donnelly leg before. Reid began his test career with distinction. At an awkward stage of the game he batted with great confidence and hit cleanly and with strength. Half a century in a first test at the age of 21 is certainly better

than a whole duck! ; Sutcliffe, I felt, was rather out of I form today, and he did not have much i opportunity to play himself in. » Hadlee and Wallace both played a fine innings, but were just without r j that ounce of luck. I Rabone and Burtt, though stolid, I were decidedlv valuable. ’ England’s fielding was certainly of a higher standard than at Lords, and though there was apparent approval ■ by the crowd of Brown’s captaincy, I yet there was some mystification why I he did not bowl Edrich until the end lof the day, a decision which was I I greeted with cheers. I The most interesting section of ' I this match is yet to come.