ENGLAND OPENS DISASTROUSLY

Chronicle (Levin), 9 July 1948, Page 5

ENGLAND OPENS DISASTROUSLY

Masterful Knock By Compton Saves The Day

Received Friday, 10.35 a.m. LONDON, July 8. A masterly and fighting innings by Compton saved England from utter disaster on the first day of the third test at Old Trafford. He retired hurf in the morning when he siiicked a no ball from Lindwall on to his forehead, and relurned with two st-itches in the inch long wound when his side had lost five for 119. He carried on to'make an invaluable 64not out of England 's seven for 231 at stumps. Lindwall again paralysed the other Englishmen with his spM'd and accuracy. England's "new blood" failed against the Australian .-■hock atiack. Emmett and Crapp were both Lindwall victims. The tearns are as follows: — the field with a bad cr.t. Australia: D. G. Bradman, A. L. The incoming batsman was an-

Ilasset., A. R. Morris, S. G. Barnes, K. R. Miiler, S. J. Loxton, R. R. Lindwall, I. W. Johnson, W. A. John.ston, D. Tallon, E. R. Toshack. England: N. W. D. Yardley, W. J. Edrich, C. Washbrook, G. M. Emn;etl, D. C. S. Compton, H. E. Dolf lery. J. F. Crapp, T. G. Evans, A. Beaser. R. Pollard, J. A. Young. Winning the toss, Yardley had elected to bat on what appeared to be a fairly easy wicket. The weather was fine. England opened with the newcorner Emmett and Washbrook. The former was surprisingly cool for his first test and unperturbed by the fast attack of Lindwall and Johnston. Washbrook was batting more confidently than he had in either previous tests when he was1 clean bowled by Johnston when he had scored 11. Aftcr Washbrook's dismissal Edlich came in and did not appear happy. He played some streaky shjts, one of which went through to the fence. At this stage Barnes was fielding brilliantly at short leg. OfT the first ball of Lindwall's seventh over Emmett played a onehanded shot and Barnes smartly held the catch. England now had two down for 28. Once again Compton came in at a crucial time for England and he was off the mark with a two off Lindwall. However, in Lindwall's next over, Compton played at a ball which flew off his bat to his leit eye. It was a nasty blow, necessitating Compton's leaving

other newcomer, the lett-hander, Crapp, who had made a century against the Australians for Gloucester. A partnership of 75 in a shade less than even time by Compton and Evans after tea added an aura of respectability to England's total. Compton scored freely with0 fluent and beautifuliy timed strokes all round the wicket. Tallon missed him off Lindwall at 50 and again "off the last ball of the day bowled by W. Johnston. After lunch the crowd was about 35,000. Details: — ENGLAND Pirst Innings 'Washbrook, b Johnston 11 Emmett, c Barnes, b Lindwall . 10 1 Edrich, c Tallon, b Lindwall . . 32 Compton, not out -64 Crapp, lbw, b Lindwall 37 Dollery, b- Johnston 1 Yardley, c Johnson, b Toshack 22 Evans, c Johnston, b Lindwall 34 Bedser, not out 4 Extras 16 Total, for 7 wickets 231 Pall of wickets: One. for 22, two for 28, three for 96, four for 97; five for 119, six for 141, seven for 216.

O. M. R. W. Lindwall . . 26 6 64 4 Johnston . . 30 7 46 2 Loxton 7 0 18 0 Toshack ... 28 17 36 1 Johnson .... 27 14 51 0

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