First Test May Be Batting Marathon

Chronicle (Levin), 30 November 1946, Page 7

First Test May Be Batting Marathon

- Received Saturday, 12.30 a.rn. BRISBANE, Nov.^29. After a sliaky start in wliicli tlic wickets of the openers, Morris and Barnes, were lost for only 46 runs, Australia rallied magnificently in the first day of the Brisbane Test matcli— the first played since the 1938 series in Eiigland. Bradinaii and Hassett held out all day to lift the total to two for 292 — four short of the Anstralian third wicket test record by Bradman and McCJabe in Melbourne in 1937. Bradman batted graiidly despite the lieed for wariness in the early stages when earrying 'the responsibility- of liolding the team togetlief. For the greater part of the last liour Bradman showed signs of fatigue maiiifesting itself through his old thigh strain. He limped painfully sometimcs and seldom attempted short fast runs from 5.15 onwards.

The weather was sultry and liuinid, the temperature maximuin Teaching 81.7 at 1.45. The Englisliiucn reacted t'avourably, liowcver, and stood up to the gruelling in grand style, frcquently evoking an enthusiastie roar of applause for their smartness in the iield. The soccer players, Ikin, (Joinptou, Washbroolc and Edrich caused amusement somctinies by trapping the fastmoving ball soccer-fashion or driving it by foot towards the stumps when the batsmen were takinn short runs.

Morris, the young Sydney left. hander, was dismissed after 14 minutes, being caught by Hammond in the slips. Lt was a typical Hammond catch from a sharp-cdged chance. Barnes, whom the New Zealanders saw last vear, was going great guus using the long handle whenever possible but at 81 he hooked Wright powerfullv to square leg where the huge Alec Bedser sprang high into the air, taking a remarkable catch. Hassett batted beautifully with exquisite late cuts and leg glances, but liitting his drives very hard. A remarkable feafure was the crop of no-balls— 13 during the day, two from Voee, six from Bedser, four from Wright and one from Edrich. Bedser J did uot resume after tea and is said to be suffering from stomach trouble. This is thought likelv to have been ! caused by a slight touch of the sun. I The English bowling showed unmistakeable weakness after the easly successes. The wicket was hard and fast. : giving the bowlers no lielp, but the wind early hclped Bedser to move the ball about, this probably accounting for 1 Morris flicking a cateli in the slips to Hammond. A stumps afterthought is that tliougii I Australia made a heartening reeovery and a seore of less than 61)0 will not be a matchwinner for England, the visitors have colossal batting strength and unless Australia gains a tidy firsi i innings lead the disadvantage of bat ting fourth on tliis perfect piteh may not handicap England out of the gamo The weather was fme and no rain i:forecast but thunderstorms are likelv to be in season in Brisbane. Scores: — AUSTRALIA First innings Barnes, c Bedser b Wright .... 31 Morris, c llummond b Bedser .. 2 Bradman, not out 162 Hassett, not out S1 Extras ' 16 Total (for two wickets) .. .. 292 i Bowling: Voee uone for 48, Bedser ! one for 65, Wright oue for 72, Edrich

# none for 55, Yardley nonc for 26, Ikin none for 10. The wickets fell at 9 and 46.