1953 was a eventful year with the first climb of Everest and the
Queen's Coronation. Cricket was looking for Len Hutton, the
first professional English captain, to win the Ashes.
The first two tests had been drawn at Nottingham and Lords.
Before the match started there was worry about Hutton;s health.
It was not until 10.00 AM on the first morning he declared himself
fit. Trueman was twelfth man and the bowling attack had only
three specialist bowlers Bedser , Wardle and Laker. Whilst the
Australian bowling attack was Miller, Lindwall ,Archer,in his
first test against England and Davidson.
Lindsey Hassett won the toss again and batted first. and did
not start until 2.50 pm due to rain. Soon Laker was injured
so reducing the bowling attack even more. The end of the
first day Australia were 151 for 3.
Despite heavy rain in the early hours of the morning ,play
was possible at 11.55 am but the weather was so bad that
cricket was limited to ninety minutes in four separate attempts.
Australia continued to 221 for three.
On the third day play started at 12.00 and Hole was soon out
for 66 after being in a stand of 173 with Neil Harvey. Next to
go was Harvey for 122 batting for four hours and a quarter.
Australia lost their last seven wickets for 97 and finished
on 318.
England finished at the end of the day at 126 for 4 with Hutton
scoring 66 which would turn out to be the top score of the
innings of 276
There was no play on Monday and play started on Tuesday at
2.50pm. When the Australians batted they were soon in bother
by losing eight wickets for 35 with Johnny Wardle taking
4 for 7 in five ovrs. They could not master the turning ball
and so England emerged for the third time with an honourable
draw.
Headingley match was another draw and then on to the Oval.
A story for another day.
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