BOWLERS' DAY OUT

Chronicle (Levin), 5 March 1947, Page 7

BOWLERS' DAY OUT

Press Assn.

Australia Wiil Have To Fight Hard

By Telegravh

- Copyright

Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. SYDNEY, March 4. The fourth day's play in the fifth test was brimful of excitementi Twelve wickets f ell during the day for 208 runs. Australia lost her last six batsinen in the lirst innings for 64 runs arid England's first six batsmen were dismissed in her second innings for 144. Wright, in a well sustained effort, destroyed Australia 's hopes of a first inning's lead. He was aided by a worn patch but neverthelcss bowled splendidly. The game now stands in a most interesting position. E'ngland, with four wickets to fall, is 171 rnns ahead and, considering the nature of the wicket, Australia will have to fight liard to win. Play started in sultry weather. The wicket was mowed this morning and apart from one spot, played well. The successfui bowlers of yesterday, Wright and Bedser, took up the attack and were immediately in men'acing fofm. Wright, with a perfect length and vicious - spin, had Hassett and Hammence in all sorts of trouble. Mainly with leg taps and snicks behindc the wicket, eleven runs were added in 20 niinutes and the total climbed to 4 for 200 in 247 minutes. Hammence, after making seven in 40 minutes, was dropped by Ikin in the short gully position off Wright. This bowler found a small broken area at one end of the wicket and expioited it to the full. The first full-blooded shot came after nearly one hour's play when Hammence hit a full toss from Wright to the fence. in the same over Ikin dived at full length to take an amaziug catch in the gully to dismiss " Hassett. In his 115 minutes ' play Hassett had not hit a single boundary. McCooi iell to another good catch in the same position as Hassett was caught. Wright had. two slips fieldsmen and gully, all grouped close to the batsmen. Tallon, after a torrid few minutes, swung Wright high to square leg where Compton took an easy catch. Wright had taken a wicket in three successive overs and he niade it four in three overs when Lindwall was caughi in the covers. McCooi in taking these three wickets. had the excellent figures^of 3 for 11 off six overs. All three wickets had fallen at the ' ' good ' ' end of the pitch. The Australian bowlers had been unable to take advantage of the woln spot at the other end as had Wright.

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Barnes, c Evans, b Bedser 71 Morris, l.b.w., b Bedser .. 57 Bradman, b Wright 12 Hassett, c Ikin, b Wright 24 Miiler, c Ikin, b Wright .. ... .... 23 'Hammence, not ofit .V' . . : . . . • . . 30 fylc.Cool, ..c,, Yafdley, b.*W riglit . . .. 3 "Tallon, c Compton, b.jWright .... 0 Lindwall, c Smith, b Wright .... 0 THbe, c Fishlook, b Wright .. .. 9 Toshack, run out 5 Sundries 9 Total 253 Bowiing: Bedser 2 for 49, Edrlch 0 foi 34, Smith 0 for 38, Wright 7 for . 105, Yardiey 0 for 8. ENGLANI). First innings ». . . 280 Second Innings. Fishlock, l.b.w., b. Lindwitil .... 0 Washbrook, b McCooi 24 Edrich, st. Tallon, b McCooi .... 24 Compton, not out 51 iklu, st. Tallon," b McCooi 0 Yardiey, b McCooi .11 Evans, b Miiler 20 Smith. not out .. Sundries 0 Total for 6 wickets 144 Bowiing: Lindwall 1 for 33, Miiler 1 for 11, McCooi 4 for 32, Tribe 0 for 46, Toshack 0 for 11, Barnes 0 for 11.