CRICKET Australia In Good Position

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 13

CRICKET Australia In Good Position

(NZ. Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, May 13. The Australian team was in a strong position at stumps on the first day of the match against Surrey. Surrey was two down for 21 after Australia had declared with seven for 341. .

The highlight of the day before a big crowd was the fine century by the Victorian opener, W. Lawry. who made 165 in 272 minutes. Surrey's two wickets fell in the 35 minutes before stumpg after some fine fast bowling by F. Misson and a splendid diving catch by R. Simpson in slips. Lawry seemed undecided how he should acknowledge the applause when he reached his century. He half raised his bat and touched his cap, but was quickly shaping up again long before the cheers had died. Lawry hit 26 fours, most o' which went through midwicket with a powerful pull. He used this particularly against the slow bowling of R. Lock and E. A. Bedser. His only mistake was the shot off which he was dismissed—a rather tired drive which Bedser, the bowler, caught. Lawry started quietly, and he had only 37 of the 89 when the second wicket fell At lunch he was on 45. After the interval he thrashed the Surrey attack to r.ake his second 50 in even time with 10 fours. It was the best display of the tour. Lawry showed tremendous power, particularly on the on side and also skilful defence especially in the early testing time against Lock. C. McDonald batted well in a solid opening partnership of 63; but he was dropped by K. Barrington in the slips off Lock when on 30 runs. Five runs later, while attempting a peculiar sweep.

he was dismissed leg before wicket. The Surrey batsmen had a torrid time at the wicket at the end of the day, particularly against F. Misson, who bowled faster than he has done on the tour so far. In four overs he had only one run scored from him. At the other end A. Davidson was having run up trouble and when G. McKenzie replaced him for the last over he had K. Barrington splendidly caught at first slip by R. Simpson. Scores:— AUSTRALIA First Innings C. McDonald, lbw, b Lock 35 W. La wry, c and b Bedser 165 N. O’Neill, c Edrich. b Lock 14 R. Simpson, c S wetman, b Loader 45 K. Mackay, c Stewart, b Loader .. 3 R. Benaud. b Lock .. 2 A. Davidson, c and b Lock 44 R. Gaunt, not out .. 19 G. McKenzie, not out .. 6 Extras 8 Total for seven dec. 341 Fall of wickets: one for 63. two for 89. three for 229, four for 243. five for 256. six for 286, seven for 332

Bowling O M. F . W Loader ..If) 0 6S 2 Gibson .. 2>) 2 4 0 Willett .. 5 2 K 0 Lock .. 35 6 124 4 Eedser .. 22 6 54 Barrington 6 1 3 0 SURREY First Innings Stewart, lbw, b Misson .. in Edrich. not out 6 Barrington, c Simpson, b McKenzie a Extra .. 1 Total for two wickets 21 Bowling O. M. R . w. Davidson .. 4 1 1! 0 Misson .. 4 3 1 McKenzie .. 1 1 1