Lives in Cricket No 48 - Maurice Leyland

Ashes to Ashes 106 22 runs. Hammond’s 231 not out was the crucial innings in the match and in reply to England’s 426 for six declared Australia quickly found themselves on 31 for seven and Jack Badcock unable to bat through illness. Although O’Reilly managed one of his better Test scores, with an unbeaten 37, they were all out for 80 and even a more respectable 324 in the second innings was not enough to save them. And so to Melbourne. The New Year opened to sunshine at the MCG and England had the best of the early exchanges, as Australia struggled to reach 130 for six, but McCabe (63 not out) and Oldfield (21 not out) steadied things before rain brought play to a premature halt; and it was this rain that was to quickly prove England’s undoing. Bradman, captaining Australia, was only too aware of the batting problems when play resumed the following day for he saw three wickets quickly fall for the addition of only 19 runs and promptly declared his innings closed on 200 for nine - deciding not to enter the lottery personified by Fleetwood-Smith with a bat in his hand. England appeared to be holding the home side at bay, just, as Maurice, in partnership with Hammond, added 42 in 40 minutes before a sharply rising ball from O’Reilly saw Maurice, on 17, glancing, instead of pulling, and Len Darling brilliantly taking the catch. Hammond (32) followed with the England score on 68 for four and, though it appears a harsh criticism, Roy Webber, in the first volume of his book Test Cricket suggests that Allen should have declared at this point. As it was, England did effectively waste good bowling time by fumbling together just eight more runs while losing five more wickets before declaring on 76 for nine and having a short dash at night watchmen O’Reilly and Fleetwood-Smith. Both fell to Voce without scoring before stumps but with tailender Ward also batting up the order there was still plenty in reserve for Australia after the fall of the third wicket early next day. At 97 for five the game swung conclusively Australia’s way as regular opener Fingleton, batting at six, was joined by Bradman and their unbroken 97 run stand that day was eventually transformed into a massive 346 run partnership for the sixth wicket. Fingleton took his total to 136 before being caught behind by Ames off Sims. Bradman had endured a run of terrible luck in