POSITION RETRIEVED BY AUSTRALIA

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5319, 4 February 1947, Page 5

POSITION RETRIEVED BY AUSTRALIA

(Press Assn.~

4' DOWN FOR 293 RUNS morris and hassett in fine partnership

- Rec . 9.30 v.m.)

ADELAIDE, Feb. 3. Drab cricket was seen. in the fourth Test to-day as Australia fought to recover from the bad position in which Bradman's dismissal placed them on Saturday. The weather conditions were extremely trying because of the humidity when Morris and Hassett continued their innings. The only highlight in the play before lunch was a six by Morris off a no-ball from Wright. Morris took 141 minutes to reach 50. He hit four fours and one six. Only seven runs were seored in half an hour before lunch. The score took 90 minutes to go from 50 to 100. Hassett hit a six from a no-ball from Berlser in the pretea session. Taking no risks the batsmen were never troubled hy the bowlihg. One of the mhin reasons for the slow scoring was obviously the plan to allow the hot weather to play a part in weaving down the bowlers. The scoring rate was stepped uip before tea; Morris reached his century after batting 217 minutes and hitting nine fours and one six. The pair tooR 186 minutes for the 150 partnership, and when Hassett reached 62, he 'beeame the first batsman to score 1000 runs in first-class cricket this season. The batsmen were together at tea when the heat was still extremely trying, and the British bowlers and fieldsmen were showing signs of wilting. Hassett First To Go The first _ succesg of the day for English bowlers came after tea when Morris and Hassett were opening out to attaclc the Kowldrs. Hqssett was first to go, snicking one right into Hammond's hands at first slip. He had batted 222. minutes, and hit five fours and one six, and assisted Morris to put .on the 189 for the third wicket. Morris followed 15 runs later after scoring 122 in 268 minutes. -He hit 42 fours and two sixes. The pair had .ione a fine job for Australia in relieving a very -oad position. Miller -seored two singles quickly, to be the second hatsman to reach 1000 in first-class cricket this sea- ' son.

Distant thunder storms and very light rain throughout the afternoon threatened to delay play, but no reliex from the heat came. Bedser, Wright, Edrich and Yardley had to bear the main burden of the English attaek. They were well handled by Ilammond but stubborn batting combined with the holPweather, had all the sting out of the attaek before stumps. \Miller and Johnston batted freely at the end of the day, and Australia at stumps had fought their way back and had a chance of saving the game. They are 167 behihd. I The wicket is still standing ttp well, but is likely to respond to spin tomorrow. The attendance for the day was 24,430, and the takings £3253. Details: —

ENGLAiND— First Innings 160 AU STR ALI A— -First Innings Ilarvey b Bedser 12 Morris c E.vans b Bedser . . 122 Bradntan b Bedsei" 0 Hassett c Hammon.l h Wright 78 Miller not out •. . 33 Johnson not out 35 Extras 13 Total for four wic-kets . . 293