TOSS ADVANTAGE LOST

Chronicle (Levin), 12 June 1948, Page 5

TOSS ADVANTAGE LOST

Waiter

Hammond.)

Hammond Criiicises English Batsmen (Speeially written for the Press Asso

ciation by

Reeeived Friday, 8.50 p.m. LONDON, June 11. I eannot understand why Hutton, Washbrook, Edrich, Compton, Hardstaffj Barnett and Yardley frittered avyay ' the great advantage of winning the toss in this first Test against the Austr-aiians. It was only the ninth wicket stand of 89 which more than doubled Engr land's score and made it a respect- , able- one. Laker and Bedser- made the Australian bowling look so innocuous on the easy pace wicket 'that I was nonplussed. The only explana- . tlon that can be given is . that Eng- - iand's batting was weak against an attack shrewdly used by Bradman who gave the batsmen no chance of settiiiig dowii. it is a sad commentary ou England'r leading- batsmen that Laker,, who was tncluded in the teain for his bowling should make the highest Test score,- Hc xshowed the right Way to hit the bowling. In his stand with Bed'ser he play ed a good straight bat, making excel tent cover drives and hoolving auything short-pitchecL He took just over ai. hour te reach 50 and upset J ohnston ': figilres of 5 for 3(5 Ahich at one tinu !iad read 4 for 20. Both Laker and Bedser so dominated the attack tha Bradman was foreed to eall in an un usual bowler, Morris, for three overs. The picture at the end of the da\ with Englaiul making sueli a sliglit lotal' was much different from tlii morning, Then, although the start wa delayed by rain, the pitch had bees covered for 24 hours and remained sc until play^began. I felt.that this could give the team winning the toss a good wicket 011 whicli to bat. The wicket is likely to wear if the rain holds off for the rest of the match, of eourse. and I eannot but feel that the loss of Wright is a severe blow to E^gland. for a leg-break bowler would be very useful. England at any , rate began batting 011 a perfect wicket and we sat back hoping that Hutton and Washbrook would give their country a good start. The impression I gained in the first few overs was that it was a perfectly easypaeed wicket.- hTy prediction that thc fast bowlers might be given somefhing fo think about looked like coming true But then hliller took a bad blow against England in his seeond ovei when he bowled Hutton 's middle stump .witli oue that appeared to be almost a.- hal'f volley. After twentv minutes ' play rain came again, which was bad luck for England with the players be- : ing foreed to returii to the pavilion After a dela\ of 40 minutes tlie rain started again as .soon as plav was resumed. • ■. So it was that when play was resurned dfter lunch Washbrook started histrike for the third time and Edric1 for the seeond. Lindwall had sawdus for his foothold and both he am1 Miller bowled -«ry good opening overs Both had Edrich and Washbrook defensively feeling out the ehange of pace in the wicket. Edrich broke a spell of 20 minutes witli only a leg bye by getting a single, but he lingill have easily been out off the strike. The' ball flew breast high to -Johnson at first slip but he could not hold it.* -C.qii solation came, however, when Lindwall. bowled a bit short and Waslibroo1--hooked it, lofting it so high tliat-Brown was able to run a few vards from leg to'make a goorl catch look rather easy. Ihe score at only 15 put England up against it. Compton arrived to score the first four of the match with a love ly square cut and there appeared to be much more resolution about England 's batting with him and Edrich at the wicket. When Miller lost some of his fire 1 Bradman brought Lindwall back though he did not strike me as being dangerous. Bradman, however, did 11 o ' allow the batsmen to settle down to the bowlers. iie brought on Tosliaek and Johnston and the rate of scoring was reduced. There was a surprise when Johnston completely beat Edrich with his pace and put the fiall on the wicket whih Edrich was still- swinging his bat England 's downfall continued when in the same over Hardstaff played hnH heartedlv at'a ball which he edged for Miller to take a catch 1owt down ai seeond slip. And then the old story continued of weak batting after winning the toss. Quite frankly I think we presentec1 some of the wickets to the Australians, and w"th only an hour and a half of play England was struggling for rnns and +he advantage of winning the toss was completely gone. Not surprisingly Bradman brought back his shock bowler Miller to 'trv to foree the big advantage gainea. He achieved the desired sueeess, for he clean bowled Oomnton and half of England 's "formidable" batting side was out for 48 on a perfect wicket! In spite of the score T still get the impression that the Australian attack lacks venom. Without question- Miller was the most dangerous of the Australians f short spells, Lindwall slipped in an occasional fast one until he pulled a muscle in his right leg.,