AUSTRALIAN TEAM BATS STOLIDLY

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5280, 17 December 1946, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN TEAM BATS STOLIDLY

( Press Assn-

5 SECOND TEST MAT0H r REACHING SCORE WITH SIX WICKETS IN HAND

—Rec. 9.80 v.m .)

SYDNEY, Dec. 16. With six wickets in hand, Australia is but three runs short of the English cricketers' first innings total of 255 in the second T 'est. Thus, despite last use of the wicket, Australia is in a fairly strong position. The ba!tsmen had to fight hard all day to make runs, Barnes, in scoring his first Test century against England, being Australia's sheet anchor. Against fairly strong bowling, he was steadiness personified. The Englishmen were right 011 their toes from the first ball to-day, and keen fielding baeked up the bowlers' fine efforts. Bradman, handicapped by his injured leg, ably supported Barnes, and at stumps this pair had added 93 runs in an unbroken fifth wicket parternship. A remarlcable Monday crowd of 51,459 witnessed the play. Perfect weather prevailed when the garne resumed — a c-loudless sky, with a cool hreeze temp.ering the hot sun. The wicket appeared to have completely recovered from Saturday's soaking. Edrich, who took up the attaek with Bedser, worked up a fine turn of speed, and had Johnson caught in the covers in his second over to-day. Edrich's figures were then two for 15. Australia was two dq,wn for 37 when Hassett joined Barnes, who was struggling for runs, and the batsmen found them hard enough to get. Games in 40 minutes this morning added only five, and Australia's total crawled to 50 in 107 minutes. Wright, like Edrich and Bedser, caused the batsmen quite a few anxious moments, and it was not until Bmith was given a bowl that Barnes and Hassett played foreeful strikes. I11 Wright's fifth over, however, Hassett scored two fours. At lunch, Australia's score was two for 28. Barnes and Hassett had added 51 for a third wicket partnership, which had imlped valuably ir. restoring Australia's early forfeiture. Smith and Edrich took up the attaek after lunch in Edrich's first over; Hassett pulled a high-kieking ball to Compton fielding on the hound:try behind square-leg. Hassett had given a sound hatting i.erformanee for 81 minutes. Edrich had three for 27 when Miller joined Parnes. who shortly reacheil 50, and Australia's iG'J eame cp simultaneously in 165 minutes. Miller Proves Dashing While. Barnes continued solidly, Miller began in dashing slyle. Quiek l.owling changes were made, but Miller treated all alike, scoring three sizzling houndaries, two ofi' Bedser, and one off Wright, for his first 2'0 runs. This burst was short-lived, and there followed sonie very accurate bowling hy Bedser and Wright for the next half-lioiu', which kept the batsmen berv quiet. Barnes then scored two fours olf" sueeessive balls from Wright, and made the partnership worth 50 after 65 minutes. With the addition of 15 runs, Miller was smartly caught at the wicket off a ball which he attenipted to cut. He hatted '73 minutes, and hit seven fours in an attractive knock. Bradman (limping from a strained groin muscle), came in just before tea, at which time the score was lour for 169. After tea, Smith — now bowling much" better — and Wright, had charge of the attaek, and they ealled the tune. Bradman's play suffered because of his injured leg, but Barnes, too, was subdued. It took Bradman 45 minutp.s to reach doubie figures, some of his scoring • shots, however, being reduced in value because of his inabilify to run very fast. • Bradman hit his first four, after being at the crease 65 minutes and, five minutes after, the partnership was Worth 50 runs. This was the third 50 partnership of the innings. Barnes Makes His Century Bedser and Edrich then operated with a new ball, and they were less threatening to the Australians than had been Wright and Smith. Barnes, after being stationary on 96 for about 20 minutes, scored two two's to reach the century after 370 minutes. This was an exceedingly slow knock for Barnes, who is usually a dashing batsman. Barnes and Bradman played steadily until stumps. Barnes had then been at t'he wicket 408 minutes, and Bradman 115 minutes. , Barnes had hit seven fours and Bradman six. ENGLAND — First Innings— —255 AUSTRALIA — First Innings Barnes, not 'out „ .. . „ 109 Morris, b. Edrich 5 Johnson-, c. Washbrook b. Edrich „ __ „ _. _ 7 Hassett, c. Johnson b. Edrich ... 34 Miller, e. Evans b. Smith 40 Bradman, not out .. 52 Extras 5 Total, for four wickets .. 252 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-37, 3-96, 4-159. Bowling: Bedser, none for 69; Edrich, 3 for .59; Wright, none for 52; Smith, 1 for 67."