Australia's Retention Of Ashes On First Three Games

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1948, Page 7

Australia's Retention Of Ashes On First Three Games

The fourth cricket test between England and Australia begins at Leeds today and considerable interest will be taken in ft, despite the fact that the Australians have retained the "Ashes" on the first three of the five games played. This is the 1 52nd test between the two countries. Australia has won 63, including the first two of the present series, to England's 55, with 34 drawn.

The origin of the "Ashes" clates back to 1882, when Australia secur.ed their first test victory on Englisi. loil. On September 2 of that yeai the Sporting Times printed a moe*, obituary notice as follows: "In affectionate remembrance of Englisii cricket, which died at the Oval on August 20, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friencls and acquaintances. R.I.P N.B.: The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." In 1883 a small urn containing the ashes of the stumps used in Lhe match was presented to the Hon. Ivo Bligh by some Australian ladies to commemorate England's victory, in the third match at Melbourne. j The urn is now kept in the. pavilion ' at Lord's. Test Averages The batting and bowling averages of the players who have represented England in the present series are: —

The following are the Australian

team's batting and bowling averages for the three tests played to date: —

Igs. N.7. U.S. A%'. Ava. Compton 6 1 184 430 80 Evans ' 5 1 50 129 32 Washbrook 6 1 85 148 29 Crapp 2 1 37 56 28 Hutton 4 — 74 110 27 Laker 4 — 63 95 23 Hardstaff 2 — 43 43 21 Yardley 5 — ' 44 102 20 Edrich 6 — 53 123 20 Bedser 5 1 37 81 20 Dollery 3 — 37 38 12 Coxon 2 — 19 19 9 Barnett 2 — 8 14 7 Wright 2 — 11 15 7 Emmett 2 — 10 10 5 Young 3 1 9 14 4 Pollard 1 — 3 3 3

BATTING

Ilmis Wkts. A vs. Yardley 115 6 19. j Pollard 59 3 19.6 Bedser 479 14 34.2 Laker 266 6 44.3 Young 166 3 55.3 Coxon 172 . 3 57.3 Wright 123 2 61.5 Edrich 173 2 86.5 Barnett 36 0 — Compton :53 0 —

BOWLING

Jtfs. N .(?. 11 A. A«K. Avg. Barnes 5 1 141 268 67 Morris 6 1 105 312 67 Brudmnn 6 1 138 302. 60 Hassett 5 1 137 243 60 Toshack 3 2 20 39 39 Loxfini 1 — 36 36 36 Miller 4 — 74 109 27 Tall on 3 — 53 81 27 Lindwall 4 — 42 105 26 Johnston 3 1 29 49 24 Brown 3 — . 32 73 24 Tohnson 5 1 21 41' 10

BATTING

Runs Wkls. Avg. Johnson 249 12 20.7 Lindwall 293 13 22.5 Johnston 389 16 24.3 Toshack 252 10 25.2 Miller 178 7 25.4 Morns 4 0 — Barnes 11 0 — Loxton 47 0 —

BOWLING