Lives in Cricket No 30 - MJK Smith

96 Ashes frustration Before the First Test MCC had paraded for four flag-flying one-day games at outlying venues and they now played four more such fixtures on the trot before their next State encounter, a return match against South Australia that spanned Christmas Day. Replying to the home team’s 459 for seven there was 108 from Mike and 110 from John Murray to ensure a competitive reply, after which another declaration proved too generous to MCC. Set 269, Boycott and Barber paved the way and Cowdrey and Barry Knight completed the job as MCC reached their target with only four wickets down and 35 minutes to spare. The teams now approached the three Tests that would shape the series. After losing the toss, England, without the services of Brown, Higgs or Larter, took the field at Melbourne with a makeshift opening attack of Jones and Knight, a late addition to the original party. They did not enjoy the best of fortunes on the opening day, Australia reaching 278 for four. Next day, New Year’s Eve, things began to change. Knight, finding a little more help, ended with four for 84 as Australia were restricted to 358, after which Boycott (51) outpaced Barber (48) as the England openers tore into the opening attack. When both fell in quick succession, the good work was carried on by Edrich (109) and Barrington (63). All the batsmen chipped in. Cowdrey, who had begun to find form in the state match, made 104 on his favourite Australian ground, Mike 41, Parks 71 and Titmus 56 not out. England’s 558 was their highest score in Australia since 1928/29. With a lead of 200, Mike now opted for attacking fields, but luck was not with him and runs accrued through the unguarded boundaries as Lawry and Simpson, for the second time in the match, both passed 50. With only Simpson out before the close and the deficit cut to 69, it seemed unlikely that England could force a win on the final day. Three early wickets with Australia still 34 adrift raised English hopes. One more and England would have exposed the tail. Barber had taken one of the wickets and was sowing doubts in the minds of all the batsmen. Always a wicket-taking bowler rather than a container, he now lured Peter Burge out of his crease only for the stumping chance to be missed. Jim Parks had a fine tour with the bat and, in Mike’s recollection, barely missed a chance in his Test career, but his single error dominated the press reports as the pivotal moment when the course of the Test turned. Burge, 34 at the time, went on to 120, while Walters, who might not have survived today’s television replay cameras when Mike shied at his stumps before he had scored, made 115 as the match meandered