2nd Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Match Report - click on the required day for session report.

Day 1 - report
Day 3 - report
Day 4 - final day - report

Day 2 Report

34 runs were added for the last 3 wickets, Oldfield left on 27 not out at the close, Australia all out for 228, a poor total. The second day, just like the first had belonged to to the English attack, belonged to the Australian bowlers, or more so to O'Reilly who took 5 wickets. Jardine commented in his book years later that although the side bowled well, the tourists certainly helped their downfall by some weak batting with the exception of Sutcliffe.

The crowd went wild when Hammond fell to Wall for only 8 runs (the ball keeping low), a true mark of respect for Hammond's skill and standing in Australia as a cricketer. Sutcliffe was fortunate to stay in as long as he did, McCabe missing an opportunity to catch him when the Englishman was in his 30's. Pataudi struggled and was no surprise when he played on off O'Reill. Hoping to up the pace, Jardine sent in Leyland but after a convincing 22 runs, he played and missed a ball from O'Reilly and was clean bowled. Jardine didn't last much long as he played a leg glance and fell to a superb catch behind by Oldfield. Nothing of much note happened before the close of play apart from 3 more wickets falling and the day ending with the tourists struggling on 9 for 161. The home side's 228 looking better than it deserved.