CRICKET Australia Out For 177 In First Match Of Tour

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 6

CRICKET Australia Out For 177 In First Match Of Tour

(M Fraas Asm—Copyright) WORCESTER, April 30. Australia was all out for a disappointing 177 when it opened its 1961 tour of England at Worcester yesterday. On a soft and extremely slow pitch, which took spin, the Australian batsmen were mainly unable to play their strokes. The Australians gained some congelation from their spinners, who were largely responsible for dismissing five of the Worcestershire side for 108. This left Australia with only a narrow lead, its first-innings total being the lowest ever against Worcestershire.

In mid-afternoon, the Worcestershire »P inner*—Horton, with oflfcreaks, and Gifford, with left-arm let spinner*— tumbled out the last six Australians for 21. This collapse eame suddenly, shocking the Australians and spectators alike. Up to this stage, the visitors' total had risen surely, even if slowly. McDonald and Simpson started Australia off at a run a minute in an opening stand of 41. This was carried on by Harvey, although he was scratchy, and completely unsuited to the pitch. McDonald was batting well when he eame to an untimely end, cutting Flavell into his stumps. Simpson—44 in 135 minutes, with five fours—was slower, but was building himself a solid score when he, too, fell to Flavell, before he got set again after lunch. O’Neill Hits Out Australia was still not seriously troubled, and when O’Neill, after some anxious moments against Coldwell’s medium pacers, began to hit out it looked like a big score. O’Neill, after a studied start, began "thumping’’ the bowling, and took revenge on Coldwell, hitting him for a six and a four in one over. Booth, who had joined O’Neill, was content to play anchor man. The 50 partnership for the fourth wicket came up in 45 minutes, and the score passed 150 for three wickets. Then came disaster, and the beginning of the end. O'Neill

tried to drive Horton, but the bell turned past the bat, and bowled him for 45 (in « minute*), including six fours and a six. O’Neill's was a promising first effort In England as was Booth's, who then tried vainly to keep the rest of the team together. ftnwi Kept On But Mackay and Benaud lasted only five minutes each, and Grout only four minutes, as Horton and Gifford kept the pressure on, turning the ball enough to beat the bat. Auatralia's total of 177 in 233 minutes was always interesting, if not the fastest, cricket. Allowance, of course, must be made for the pitch—a complete contrast to what the Australians are used to, and completely unsuited to their stroke making. When Worcestershire batted, it scored e little faster, it* 108 taking 128 minutes. Gaunt got a wicket—the county captain Kenyon—with his fifth ball in England, and then Benaud quickly took over. Headley Bate Weil Ron Headley, eon of a former West Indian champion, gave the Australian bowlers some trouble for a while. He drove well although he had a little luck, and his 41 included six fours. Benaud was always danger, ous, and had an interesting duel with the former Gloucestershire captain, Graveney. claying hi* first match for Worcester. Graveney was very careful, and hi* unfinished 24 took 80 minutes. Quick was more expensive, and bowled several short balls (which were punished) but he took two valuable wickets. The match is now at an interesting stage, and the Aus-

tralians will have a chance to do hotter in batting when their second turn comes. Their fast bawling pair, Gaunt and Misson, seemed as if they needed work. Gaunt tended to over-pitch, and the batsmen were often able to get to balls on the full, and drive them. Misson had many short deliveries in his early over*. Scores:AUSTRALIA First Innings C. McDonald, b Flavell .. 23 R. Simpson, b Flavell .. 44 N. Harvey, b Horton .. 23 N. O'Neill. b Horton .. 45 B. Booth, c Dews, b Gifford 37 K. Mackay, c Flavell. b Horton .. 0 R. Benaud, b Gifford .. 1 W. Grout, C Kenyon, b Gifford .. F. Misson, b Borton .. 0 I. Quick, not out .. ..o R, Gaunt, b Horton .. 1 Extras (leg byes) .. 2 Total .. ..*177 Fall of wickets: one for 41. two for 32. three for 96. four for 156. five for 160, six for 161. seven for 167, eight for 170. nine for 176. Bowling

1 ■* s WORCESTERSHIRE - First Innings D. Kenyon, c Booth, b Gaunt .. ..2 '■ M. Horton, b Benaud .. 14 • R. Headley, b Quick .. 41 ? T. Graveney, not out ..24 .D. Richardson, lbw, b Benaud .. .. 17 iG. Dewes, st Grout, b Quick 1 tR. Booth, not out .. .. 4 . Extras (bye* 4. no-ball 1) 5 ’ Total for five wickets 108 Fall of wickets: one for 21. two for 44, three for 65, four for 92. five for 93. J Bowling

T. Havel! Coldwell o. .. 16 .. 8 M. 5 0 R. 35 29 w 2 0 D. Pearson .. 10 2 23 0 N. Gifford .. 22 7 42 3 M. Horton .. 29.313 46 5

O. M. H. W. Gaunt .. 9 0 36 1 Miascn .. 5 4 10 0 BenaUd 17 10 19 2 Quick ..13 4 38 2 Simpson ..11 0 0