FAILED TO SEARCH FOR EARLY RUNS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 3

FAILED TO SEARCH FOR EARLY RUNS

[From W. J. O REILLY. N.Z.PA. Special Correspondent I SYDNEY. A drought-breaking rain would save more than our suburban lawns and gardens should it start early this morning and pour heavily for at least two days especially hard over the Svdnev Cricket Ground.

England has to attend to few more details there to bring about a decision in the third test match. Australia faces certain defeat.

With the pitch definitely favouring spin and with three good spinners available for mopping up work, England should have no trouble in wrapping up this game with a full day to spare. Australia lost any slight chance it might have had to save the follow on by refusing to search for runs in the morning session.

In this. Cowper was the main offender. Partnered by the nightwatchman. Sincock. whose orders must have been to stay there at all costs as Cowper’s running partner, the lefthander made no effort whatever to play shots. Concentrating purely on de-i fence, he was content to play! flatfooted from the crease, a policy which handicapped him sadly against the spinners. Cowper is an excellent young batsman who watches the ball carefully and hits it confidently when it is coming to him at pace, but so far has developed no definite attacking policy against bowlers who insist that he uses his feet in forward movements. I have been disappointed that Australia has continued to ask Cowper to bat at number three —a place which demands knowledgeable heavy handed action.

Doug Walters is the ideal man for the position and I feel certain that the tale of this Australian debacle would

read differently had he been promoted after two splendid centuries in earlier tests. What a pity it was yesterday to see Walters outstanding ability completely squandered when he ran short of trustworthy batting partners. Apart from hitting a magnificent six straight over mid-on and a few characteristically well-timed cover shots, he had no alternative but to react nervously to the hopeless posiI tion in which he was placed, j Surely Booth might have 1 spared a thought for his j promotion in the second fate- | fui innings. i Sincock, by batting right ; through the first session and I collecting 29 runs, carried out his batting responsibilities to I the hilt. It was a remarkably j “gutsy” effort by one whose s normal inclination is to hit I the ball hard. Quickly In Trouble Australia quickly got itself into trouble when Smith ordered the follow on. | The humiliating part was a I ridiculous run-out which i accounted for Burge. Who | can believe that two fully matured batsmen like the | Queenslander and Lawry ! could possibly become I involved in a run-out incident ■ which would be considered ! unpardonably ridiculous I behaviour even in prep school ■ matches? Both batsmen were I to blame —but it certainly (was Burge’s call. I Thomas for a second time I saved the bowlers’ task of i getting him out by doing it (himself for them. This time j he refused to profit from Jexperience of two previous abortive sweep shots at ! Titmus and going for a third

edged it over the keeper’s head to slip. I hope Thomas does not lose his test place over this but I feel certain some influential people will regard his impetuosity as an expensive item. When Simpson returns Thomas could play a highly valuable part at number five.

And with this match at the stage where it may be sighfully written off with only two to go, attacking strokemakers should be listed at a premium. Brown bowled very well in this match. His presence has given England’s attack much better hitting power than it had in Melbourne, but we must keep a wary eye on Jones who has shown improvement at each appearance this tour.

Yesterday Jones bowled with wretched luck. Catches were turfed and several deliveries unluckily missed the stumps. In his second attempt Booth has shown much more self confidence than he did in his previous knock. ! Everyone would like to see | the Australian captain make ia thoroughly good fist of this finnings. He will know that

the occasion demands more than all the remaining batsmen together can ever hope to produce, but if they go down courageously playing shots, the air will seem clearer.

Lawry is in fighting form. His off-drive has been working once or twice but it will take him some time to forget that dreadful mistake he, together with Burge made to lose such ia highly valuable wicket.