ENGLAND'S OPENING WAS PROMISING

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5317, 1 February 1947, Page 5

ENGLAND'S OPENING WAS PROMISING

(Press Assn.—

■ ^ TEST AT ADELA'IDE SGORE AT 239 WITH FOUR WICKETS LOST

-Rec. 9.30 p.m.)

ADEL'AIDE, Jan. 31. England had perfect conditions and a wicket made ■ for runs, when Hammond won the toss for the opening of the fourth Test at Adelaide to-day. Hammond's success was his seeond in the series. Hutton and Washbrook settled down slowly, for a fine partnership, taking no risks against the aetive bowling of Lindwall, Milier and Toshack. The pair took 84 minutes for th-e first 50 and reached a century after 133 minutes. This is their second century partnership in the Test series. Hutton reauired 121 minutes ■ tp reach 50, including two fours. Washbrook reached the half-century in 143 minutes, with five fours. Dooland was the pick of the spin bowlers, while Lindwall bo-wled well early. His first 11 overs cost only 18 runs. Washbrook was dismissed by a brilliant one-hand catch by Tallon off Dooland, as the batsman snicked the ball in playing a forcing shot. The first wicket fell at 137. It was not inspiring 'cricket, but interesting, in view of England's fight to rehabilitate herself. Hutton appeared set for a century when he was dismissed for 94. He was right on top of the bowling, nearing the 90 mark, but Bradman closed up again with an attacking field for Toshack. When 86, Hutton lost Edrich. The Middlesex man smashed Dooland through the covers for four with a gem of a shot, but the next ball gave the. bowler a caught-and-bowled chance. Hammond opened scratchily, seoring three with a snick through slips, but Hutton was given out just as the captain was fighting to get a start. Hutton batted 236 minutes and hit seven fours. He had played a fine knock for a well-deserved century. Hammond was never comfortable. He played one grand shot, a late cut off Lindwall, for 4. Then he was missed badly by Lindwall off McCool. However, Toshack had the English captain in bother, eventually bowling him as Hammond played forward. Four wickets were down for 202 when Hardstaff joined Ccmpton, and *they concentrated over the last halfhour in playing out time to gain a fresh start to-morrow. Details : — ENGLAND — First Innings Hutton, l.b.w. b. McCool .. „ , 94 Washbrook, c Tallon b Dooland 65 Edrich, c and b Dooland .. .. 17 Hammond, b Toshack 18 Compton, not out . _ .. 15 Hardstaff, not out - .. .. ~ 22 Extras 8 Total, for 4 wickets „ „ „ 239 Bowling: Lindwall, none for 29; Milier, none for 28; Toshack, one for 25; McCool, one for 52; Johnstone, none for 29; Dooland, two for 68: