Lives in Cricket No 44 - LCH Palairet

At 5.15pm, Lionel and Bobby Abel strode to the wicket to face the opening Australian bowlers Hugh Trumble and John Saunders. With a close set field the pair were immediately in trouble, the ball popping and spitting from the turf; even survival looked a daunting prospect. Both openers went in the same over, Abel to a poor shot caught in the slips, then a run later Monty Noble caught Lionel smartly running in from point, his first Test innings ending for six (at 13 for two). By the close of play England had slumped to 70 for five. Dry and fine weather on the second day made the wicket a lot easier. The following morning Jackson (128) and Braund (65) added 141 for the sixth wicket. England eventually closing for 262, only 37 runs in arrears. Going in a second time theAustralians struggled from the first ball closing on 85 for eight, Lockwood again being the most difficult bowler to play. Australia were now only 122 runs on with two wickets left. On the third morning the innings was wrapped up with an addition of one run, Lockwood (five for 28) again being England’s best bowler, Lionel caught Darling off Rhodes, his second and last catch in Test cricket. At 12.40, Archie MacLaren replaced Lionel’s first Test innings, going out to bat with little Bobby Abel at Manchester in 1902 1902 and one more good season 83