AUSTRALIA ALSO WINS SECOND TEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5283, 20 December 1946, Page 5

AUSTRALIA ALSO WINS SECOND TEST

(Press Assn

ENGLAND OUT FOR 37 1

EDRICH LEADS GALLANT ATTEMPT TO DRAW

— Rec: 9.80 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Dec. 19. Australia won the second Test match by an innings and 33 runs and now Ieads by two to nil in this season's series. Australia appeared to be the better side in this game and England dftjd not handle the varied attack as well as might have been expected. Edrich was England's mainstay in the match. His 71 and 119. runs and three wickets for 79 was a magnificent contribution to England's gallant elfort. Bradman captained Australia most ably, and made his usual big score. Only about 5000 people saw Australia's victory, which was accomplished with a margin of two hours 40 minutes left for six days' play. A light drizzle fell for several hours in the morning ,and the game was resumed in overcast weather. The wicket did not appear in any way alfected by the rhin. Hammond Opens Well , Hammond took five from Miller's fivst over, raising En.gfand's 250 in 235 minutes. Four maidens, two each by McCool and Miller, followed, and it was 25 minutes before Edrich added to fiis overnight score. He then 'hit through the covers to the fence to reach 90. Edrich showed extreme caution, but Hair.mcnd steadilv stepped out to drive, and did not hesitate to lift the ball. He paid the penalty when, after a bright innings of 54 minutes, he was caught half-way to the fence beh'ind the bewler. England was still 124 runs beliind when Ikin joined Edrich. 'E'drich obtained his first century in a Test againsr. Australia, after 202 minutes at the erease. England's 300 was made in 293 minutes. Freer nine minutes later scattered Ikin's stumps, and Edrich and Yardley defended stoutly unlil Iunch, by which time England were 88 behind with five wickets to f all. In the first over after lunch, Johnson should have got( Edrich's vvieket when the batsman stepped down the pitch and luissed the ball. Tallon who was suffering from a linger injury J'umhled, and hy the ti)ne he had broken the wicket. Edrich was back in the crease. Edrich scored only four more when a low ball found his stumps. He batted 314 minutes and hit seven fours. Only Yardley remained of the rccognised hatsmen, and tlie fieldsmen clustered around the wicket while the spinners, Joh'nson and McCool, were bowling. Smith had a swing and was caught in the outfield. Yardley, seeing the end was near, then opened out, and played some delightful strokes, He reached 35 in 50 minutes, ° and in attempting a drive, was bowled off his pads. Evans was easily stunfped. Wright was caught at the wicket, and Australia had won this most absorbing Test. Australia has now won 59 Tests to England's 55. Thirty-one have been drawn. AUSTRALIA First Innings, eighl wickets declared, 059. ENGLAND Ffrst Innings 255 Second Innings Ilutton hit wicket, 1) Miller . . 37 Washbrook c McCool h Johnson 41 Edrich b McCool 119 Compton c Bradman b Freer . . 54 Hammond c Toshack h McCool 37 Ikin b Freer 17 Yardley b McCool 35 Bedser, not out, _ 3 Smith c Hassett. h Johnson . . 2 Evans stpd. Tallon b McCool 9 ' Wright e Tallon b McCool . . 0 Extras 17 Total 371 Fall of wickets: Four for 280; five for 309; six for 327; seven for 346; eight for 366; nine for 369. Bowling: Freer two for 49; Miller one for 37; McCool five for 109; Johnson two for 92; Tribe none for 40; Toshack none for 16; Barnes none for 14.