Aus vs Eng, 4th Test, Melbourne 1986 - Aus 1st innings

After the previous Test in Adelaide yielded a runfest draw, the Australians headed to Melbourne eager to level the series at 1-1. But the locals were put in to bat on a pitch that was moist and well-grassed. Coupled with a poorly conceived aggressive approach, Australia's batsmen succumbed for just 141 runs before tea on day one. The destroyers were Botham, Gladstone Small and wicketkeeper Jack Richards. Botham took 5/41 and three catches. He exploited both swing and pitch movement well, and got under Australian skins to extract some rather wild shot selection. Small, who came into the game late for the unfit Graeme Dilley, bowled even better to record 5/48. Richards took five catches, including a marvellous running effort to drag in a skied hook shot from McDermott. No Australian batsman deserves mention, save for Dean Jones, who fought hard to score 59 in difficult conditions against accurate bowling.

Match scorecard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/engine/match/63447.html

Yours in cricket,
The Third Ump

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Test cricket
• England
• Australia
• Ashes
• MCG
• Melbourne
• Ian Botham
• Gladstone Small
• Dean Jones

[dravidr007]

hahahahahhahaha glad stone smalll hahhaa