STUBBORN DEFENCE

Chronicle (Levin), 4 February 1947, Page 5

STUBBORN DEFENCE

Press Assri.'

Australia May Yet Save -Fourth Test •

HEAT TRIES M.C.C. BOWLERS

By Telegraph

-Copyrtght

Received Monday, 8.10 p.m. ADELAIDE, Feb. 3. Drab ericket was seen in the fourth test todity Australia fought to recover from' the b^d position in which Bradman's dismissal placed them ofi Saturday. The weather conditions were extremely trying because of the 'huniidity, when Morris and Hassett resumed their innings. The only highlig'ht in the play before lunch was 'a ' six by Morris off a no-ball from Wright. Mor» ris took 141 minutes to reach 50, hitting four fours and oue six. Only seven runs were scored in half an hour before lunch. The score took 90 minutes to go from 50 to 100. Hassett liit a si.\ off a no ball from Bedser in the pretear session. Taking 110 risks, the batsmen were never troubled by the bowling. One of the main reasons for the slow scoring was obviously the plan to allow the hot weather to play a part in wearing down the bowlers. The scoring rate was stepped up before tea. Morris reaehed his century after batting 217 minutes and hitting nine fours and one six. The pair took 1S0 minutes for the 150 partnership. When Hassett reaehed 62 he became the first batsman to seore 1000 runs in first class cricket this season. The batsmen were still together at tea wheii the heat was still extremely trying. The English bowlers and fieldsmen were showing signs of wilting. First suceess for the day for the English bowlers came after tea when Morris aild Hassett were opening out to attack the bowlmg. Hassett was first to go, snicking Wright into Hanimond 's hands at first slip. He had batted 222 minutes and hit five fours and one sixer. Hassett assisted Morris to put.on 189 for the 'tljird wicket. Morris followed 15 runs later after scoring 122 in 268 minutes. He hit twelve fours and two sixes. - The pair had done a fine job for Australia in retrieving a very bad jiosition. MiJler scored two singles quickly to be the second batsman to record 1000 runs in first elass cricket for the season. Distant thunder storms and very light rain early in the afternoon threatened a delay to play but 110 relief from the heat came. Bedser, Wright, Edrieh and Yardley had to bear the main burden of the English attack. They were well handled by Hammond but stubborn batting, combined with hot weather, had all the-sting out of the attack before stumps. Miller and Johnson batted freely at the end of17 the day. Australia, at stumps, had fought their way back and had a chance of saving the game but are 167 behind. The wicket is still standing up well but is likely to respond to spin tomorrow. The attendance for the day was 21,430 and the takings £3253. ENGLAND. First innings 460 . AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Morris, e Evans, b Bedser . . .... 122 Harvey, b Bedser 12 Bradman, b Bedser 0 Hassett, c Hammond b Wright .. 78 Miller, not out 33 Johnson, not out 35 Extras 13 Total for 4 wickets . . . . , . , . 293