YARDLEY AND THE RAIN SAVED ENGLAND

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1947, Page 7

YARDLEY AND THE RAIN SAVED ENGLAND

Press Assn.-

-Copyright

By Telegraph

lieceived Tuesclay, 7.0 p.m. MELBOUENE, Jau. 7, Losing seven wickets for 310 England acliieved and,deserved a gallanl dravv in the third Test. Yardley's 53 not out liad a great part in it, but the 40-minute break caused by rain gave valuable help. After a fine first-wicket partnersliip by Hutton and Washbrook England 's other leading batsmen failed miserably, Compton, Edrich, llammond and Ikin all going for a few runs each. Then eame an eXciting race between time and the falling wickets. Eor once the;elements fought for England, and Yardley and Evans himg on tenaciously till the last ball of the day was bowled. - There was an attendance of 34,234 and the gate takings were £5040, making the aggregate attendance 343,675 and the gross takings £44,063.

The English openers were steady on a good wicket in line weather. ^ After an liour lluttou, never on top, skied tlxe ball. llis 40 took 181 minutes and inciuded tliree fours. Washbrook, much more conlident, reached 00 with a good glance for four. Kdrich was quickly into his stride and [mnclied a delightful cover four oil' Doolaml. lle then hit Tosliack just over Bradman "s head and snicked the uext ball dangerously, briiiging up 150 in 100 minutes. Washbrook cut Johnsou 's lirst delivery to reacli his 100 in 193 minutes. Lt was an excellent displav. Just at lunch JNlcCool dismissed lldrich l.b.w. and England were now in trouble. Coinptou was badly beaten by MeCool and was lucky to scramble home before the bails were off. He was foolishly run out in tlie next over, Miller returning well. Hauimond was almost bowled in the same over by Johnson. Ile opened with a sweep to tlie fence off McCool. Washbrook failed to reach the pitch. of a faster spinniug leg break and iiis olf stump was shattered. His was a solid hard-iightiug inuings, liis 112 taking 247 minutes includiug eight fours and one six. Rain aided the liarassed batsmen at 3.15 p.m. and stopped play for 15 minutes. The slippery ball allected the spinners. Ikin luistiiued a ball and was eusily caught after 32 minutes. Yardley hit Miller straight to the fence and snicked the next delivery dangerously through tlie slips for four. .llammond played dofonsively but was bowled soon after luuch. A siio'wer gainod auolher teu minutes respite with 70 minutes to play and four wickols remaining. Seoring did not malter, but no opportunity was lost. Al'ler the fourth adjournment Bedser \s us ou l after a \aluabie 50 minutes. Tliree wickets now remuiued with 15 minutes to play. Scures: —

EXGLAKD. Cecond Innings. Hultun, " liradniau, b Toahaek .....40. \\ aslil 'i'uok. b Houland .. ... .. 112 Edrich, Ibw, b- JUcCoul' . .'-..T .. 13 1 Cumptoi!. ruu out 14 | Hynuiicud, b IjindWail .... .. .. ... 20, 1 Ikin, c -UaLeli; b Milier' vt- JbJV1 *5'j Y ardlui . nol uul, .,,,3 ;03i Bedser, Ibw, b Miller .. .. -i •• "5 1 IXaii"-, not uul . . .. 0 ( Buiidfi.es ... .4,/.-. y;* 'jj.- inSif4; G'.\ ea 'wickets for ... m. .. 310 i'nw li iig: l-indwall 1 for 50; Milier fnr 41; .I'ooland 1 fui 84; Tosliack J i'or 30, J olnisou' U for 21; McCtloi 1 for 41. I Iu; w 'o'kel s feli at 138, 103, 180, 10; 221. 210 and 201.