England Has Chance To Win Her First Cricket Test Since 1938

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 December 1950, Page 5

England Has Chance To Win Her First Cricket Test Since 1938

England's Opportunity

MELBOURNE, Dee. 26 (Ree. 10.15 p.m.).—England, needing 151 for victory with eight wickets in hand, is heading for her first test victory since 1938. Today Australia gave the most disappointing display, making only 181 in perfect weather The 60.486 people who paid £7378 looked on in astonishment, seeing stars

batting timorously all day long. The wicket had a tendency to crumble, the occasional ball rising or keeping low. Thus caution ; was demanded, accounting for the ' low scoring. England concentrated on pace, endeavouring to find the bad spots. Even Brown bowled his leg spinners faster than usual, being more successful than the others in finding those spots. With the top score in the first innings and four wickets, he has had a great match. England’s out-cricke* was excellent, Bailey’s catch disposing of Hassett was a gem. Despite England’s success, one had a feeling that the Australian team was beginning to lost its solidity. Should this match be lost it would not be surprising if several changes are made for the Sydney test. Whatever happens, England has shown she is by no means outclassed, proving the performances of minor games as of little importance and indicating they can concentrate on the tests. Dewes, who could not field owing to illness, is likely to bat if the occasion demands. Nearly 50,000 people saw Morris and Archer resume Australia’s second innings. The bowlers found the conditions vastly different from the first innings when the heavy atmosphere helped the swing. Steady bowling and watchful batting was the order from the outset, although Bailey once found the edge of Archer’s bat, the ball flying dangerously through slips for 4. In the first half-hour, only 16 runs were scored. The batsmen were by no means on top. MORRIS OUT Wright took over from Bailey at 42, and immediately had Morris l.b.w. the batsman looking most surprised. Morris scored 18 in 63 minutes. Harvey pushed a slower ball past point for a single. The same over he swung viciously at another, but missed. The 50 was reached in 72 minutes. An occasional ball kept low, Harvey just getting down on one from Wright. When Brown replaced Bedser each scored singles, but off the edge of the bat. After the first hour had produced 36 runs, Harvey just leaned on the ball, Wright scoring the first 4 for a straight drive. Archer sparked up an. on-drive for 4, Brown being the best bowler of the morning. The batsmen were still there at lunch, but were never on top, scoring 57 in 90 minutes. The first ball from Wright after lunch was short-pu'nehed for 4. Harvey, who scraped forward, snicked the next, dangerously. Archer was out in Bedser’s second over after lunch, snicking the ball to the gully. It was a marathon, uninspiring 46 in 130 minutes (four 4’s). Harvey brought the 100 up in 134 minutes and was out the Yiext ball. He backed up too far and could not get back before Washbrook's straight

throw scattered the stumps. He scored 31 in 70 minutes (three 4’s). BATSMEN STRUGGLING Miller began by swinging Wright for 4, but had to stab desperately at the next ball. The sun's heat caused the Englishmen to wear white hats after lunch. Miller beautifully straight drove and pulled Wright for two 4’s in one over. The batsmen were struggling and were making heavy weather of bowling that was on the spot. The break for drinks was fatal to Miller, who was bowled by Bailey for 14 in 42 minutes (two 4’s). He had been somewhat scratchy. When Bedser came on again Hassett was in trouble, spooning one just short of cover. Loxton, too, did not get going, snicking Brown to the keeper. Close had his first, try at live for 137. and Hassett played a full toss, cover drove another for four in the first over. Then he was taken off, Wright returning only to bo powerfully back-cut for 4, Lindwall bringing up the 150 in 215 minutes. HUGE CROWD QUIET The huge crowd was strangely quiet, watching the ineffective Australian batting against attacking bowling. Lindwall snicked Brown and at six for 151 a batting recovery was urgently needed, but Tallon was out lbw in the same over and tea was taken. lan Johnson, partnering Hassett after tea, straight drove Bedser for 3, but snicked Brown just between Hutton and Bailey in the slips. Hassett snicked one, Bailey taking a spectacular diving catch left hand. Hassett scored 19 in 93 minutes. This gave Brown the astonishing average of 4 for 20 after being 0 for 13. When Bailey took the new ball, lan Johnson cut him for 2 swung him for 4 and glanced him for 4 in one over. He continued to bat pluckily. He lost Bill Johnson after a 25 partnership. lan Johnson swung madly at Bedser and skied it. Evans missed a sitter, but Close caught him the next ball. The innings ended 181. Thus England needed only 178 for victory and three days to get them. ENGLAND OPENS Simpson again partnering Washbrook snicked Miller just over the slips head. The wicket seemed pas- ! sive and the batsmen were prepared to wait for the right ball. They made few mistakes against the unhostile bowling. The spinners quickly were introduced by contrast to England’s concentration on pace. It paid dividends although it was a surprise when Washbrook was bowled by Iverson, after 21 had been made in 33 minutes. It looked at that stage as if the spinners might prove the downfall of England. Bailey was sent in in an endeavour to stick until stumps, but he soon went beaten by lan Johnson a*nd Englands stocks were falling. Hutton then was sent to the firing line.