Benaud’s Australians beat England by 54 runs
By A.C. De Silva
FLASHBACK: The 1960-61 Australia – West Indies series excited cricket
covers the world over. There was talk of a new ‘Golden Age’ of cricket,
and the Australian defence of the Ashes in England the following summer
was awaited with been anticipation.
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Australian skipper Richie Benaud in full swing and he took 6
for 70 in the England second innings score of 201 which
helped Australia to win by 54 runs at Old Trafford in the
1960-61 series.
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Out caught behind – England;s Ted Dexter is caught behind by
Australian wicket-keeper Wally Grount off Richief Benud for
76 in the second innings total of 201. Dexter made 76 in 84
minutes, but it was not enough to win the Test. |
However, the high expectations were not fulfilled by a series that
was often dour, if always hard – fought. The series did produce,
however, at least one spell of cricket which, for somersaults of
fortune, could match the very best ever played: the last day of the
fourth test at Old Trafford. Benaud’s Australians beat England by 54
runs.
Twice, England seemed to have victory in their grasp, only to have it
snatched from them by the spirit and aggression of Richie Benaud’s
Australian side.
The two teams came to Old Trafford with the series all-square and
honours even. For its first four days the match was interise, absorbing,
though not so spectacular.
Helped by a century from Australian opener Bill Lawry (102) in the
second innings the Australians fought back from a first innings deficit
of 177. By the end of the fourth day, they were 154 ahead with four
wickets standing, and must have felt reasonably hopeful of forcing a
draw. Neither side seriously entertained the possibility of an
Australian victory.
The fateful final day opened with a bad slump for Australia. As the
pitch had begun to take Spin, England brought on off-spinner David Allen
from the start of play.
Ambling on his casual short run, Allan never looked a dangerous
bowler, but he struch it good and he captured 4 wickets for 58 runs and
Australia were out for 432.
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England skipper Peter May who made 95 in the first innings
total of 367 has no luck this time and he turns round to see
that his opposite number Richie Benaud has bowled him
without scoring in the second innings round his legs.
Australia made 201 in the second innings. |
Earlier Australian opener Lawry made 102, Norman O’Neill 67 and
what’s surprising was the fine batting of Aussie paceman Alan Davidson
who made an unbeaten 77 to beef up their second innings total to 432 so
that they had an overall total of 622 in their two innings.
So, England had to make 256 in their second innings to grab victory
in this game. However, this was not to be. After the England cricketers
had been 334 for 9 wickets a mere 157 runs ahead and with probable
defeat starring them in the face.
At this point Davidson was joined by the most inexperienced player in
the side, 19-year-old Graham McKenzie – the number 11 who had already
scored a respectable 34 at Lord’s, made a fine 32 and the Australians
did well to make 432 in their second innings.
That was a fine recovery for Australia and now England needed 256 to
win in 230 minutes. England’s hopes of victory rested on the extravagant
talent of Ted Dexter. Though struggling with poor form, he came up with
fine knock of 76. The power and excelaration of what innings were
breathtaking. Dexter reached his 50 in 63 minutes with 10 fours.England
were 150 for 1 and they needed only 106 at a run-a-minute.
Dexter fell to Richie Benaud’s leg-spin caught behind by wicket
keeper Wally Grout – his knock of76 in 84 minutes. England began to lose
wickets and they were 171 for 7 wickets. Aussie spinner Benaud came to
the picture and produced one of the great leg-spin performances of all
time, but it was above all a team victory. England were all out for 201
runs in their second innings and Benaud had captured 6 for 70. Bowling
round the wicket into the rough outside leg stump, Benaud had England in
full retreat.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS
W.M. Lawry lbw b Statham 74
R.B. Simpson c Murray b Statham 04
N. Harvey c Subbarow b Statham 19
N. O’Neill hit wkt b Trueman 11
P. Burge b Flavell 15
B. Booth c Close b Statham 46
K. Mackay c Muray b Statham 11
A. Davidson c Bamington b Dexter 00
R. Benaud b Dexter 02
W. Grout c Murray b Dexter 02
G. McKenzie not out 01
Extras (B4, LB1) 05
Total 190
Bowling (England): F. Trueman 14-1-55-1
B. Statham 21-3-53-5
L. Flavell 22-8-61-1
T. Dexter 6.4-2-16-3
ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS
G. Pullar b Davidson 63
R. Subba Row c Simpson b Davidson 02
T. Dexter c Davidson b Mckenzie 16
P. May c Simpson b Davidson 95
B. Close lbw b Mckenzie 33
K. Barrington c O’Neill b Simpson 78
K. Murray c Grout b Mackay 24
D. Allen c Booth b Simpson 42
F. Trueman c Harvey b Simpson 03
J.B. Statham c Mackay b Simpson 04
L. Feavell not out 00
Extras (B2, LB4, W1) 07
Total 367
Bowling: (Australia): A. Davidson 39-9-70-3
G. Mckenzie 38-11-106-2
K. Mackay 40-9-81-1
R. Benaud 35-15-80-0
R.B. Simpson 11.4-4-23-4
AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS
W.M. Lawry c Trueman b Allen 102
R.B. Simpson c Murray b Feavell 51
N. Harvey c Murray b Dexter 35
N. O’Neill c Murray b Statham 67
P. Burge c Murray b Dexter 23
B. Booth lbw b Dexter 09
K. Mackay c Close b Allen 18
A. Davidson not out 77
R. Benaud lbw b Allen 01
W. Grout c Statham b Allen 00
G. McKenzie b Feavell 32
Extras (B6, LB9, W2) 17
Total 432
Bowling (England): F. Trueman 32-6-92-0
J.B. Statham 44-9-106-1
L. Flavell 29.4-4-65-2
T. Dexter 20-4-61-3
D. Allen 38-25-58-4
B. Close 8-1-33-0
ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS
G. Pullar c O’Neill b Davidson 26
R. Subba Row b Benaud 49
T. Dexter c Grout b Benaud 76
P. May b Benaud 00
B. Close c O’Neill b Benaud 08
K. Barrington lbw b Mackay 05
K. Murray c Simpson b Benaud 04
D. Allen c Simpson b Benaud 10
F. Trueman c Benaud b Simpson 08
J. B. Statham b Davidson 08
L. Flavell not out 00
Extras (B5, W2) 07
Total 201
Bowling: (Australia): A. Davidson 14.4-1-50-2
G. Mckenzie 4-1-20-0
K. Mackay 13-7-33-1
R. Benaud 32-11-70-6
R. Simpson 8-4-21-1 |
