England beat South Africa in final ball of match

By A.C. De Silva

FLASHBACK....It was a real flashback, no debut! England beat South Africa by two wickets off the final ball with a leg-bye in the Durban Test in the 1948 series.

It was a real thriller all the way and in the first innings, South Africa could get only 161 runs in the face of some accurate bowling by Alec Bedser (4 for 39) and Cladwin (3 for 21) who tied down the South African batsmen for just 161 runs in their first innings.

Dennis Compton was in fine form with the bat and made 72 and helped England to make 253 in the first innings.	Alec Bedser was in fine bowling form and took 4 for 39 against South Africa in the Durban Test against South Africa in the first innings total of 161.	A.M.B. Rowan of South Africa took 4 for 108 against England in the first innings. Where England totalled 253.	N.B.F. Mann for South Africa took 6 for 59 against England and helped South Africa to dismiss England for 253 in the first innings.

There were only two South African batsmen - D.W. Begbie (37) and A.D. Nourse also 37 who battted well for South Africans with (37).

Came England's turn to bat, and there was spirited batting by Cyril Washbrook (35) and Len Hutton (83) who were involved in a opening partnership of 84 runs and it really gave the England cricketers the go ahead.

However, the South African could not be totally put down as their two bowlers A.M.B. Rowan (4 for 108) and N. Mann who bowled splendidly to take 6 for 59 in the first innings to push the Englishmen down somewhat.

Came the second innings and South Africa were all our for 219 in 89.3 overs. For the South Africans there was middle order batsmen W.W. Wadel (63) and D.W. Begbie (48) who helped their side along with some useful strokeplay to push the score along. South Africa made 219 in their second inings, but it was not enough.

England needed 128 for a win in 135 minutes. Five minutes were lost due to injury to Dudley Nourse and a sharp show reduced play by a further 12 minutes.

England went for runs from the first ball. The eighth wicketfell at 116, still 12 runs needed and 10 minutes left. 19 year-old speedster, Cuan McCarthy, who claimed six wickets in his debut, seemed to be on the 'kill'.

The light further deteriorated. It was so dark, either side could have appealed but neither did. Gladwin offered a catch off the first ball he received but was dropped. The fielder could not sight the ball. With three balls remaining, England needed two runs with two wickets in hard.

Bedser levelled the score with two balls left.

Gladwin had a mighty swipe but missed the seventh ball. Now the important final delivery. Gladwin again failed to connect, the ball and it hit his thigh and the batsmen galloped to glory.

England won off the final ball with a leg bye!

Both Bedser and Gladwin executed a one step dance on the field to celebrate this moment.