Date-stamped : 03 Nov93 - 05:31 Aus-Eng T6, Day 1 England finished the first day on 353-7, with Fraser 15* and Watkin 8*. All of the seven specialist batsmen are out. Four made half centuries (Hick 80, Stewart 76, Gooch 56, Atherton 50) but nobody could go on to make a really big innings. England scored at a good rate all day, almost four runs an over, but in the final analysis they've probably lost two or three wickets too many. The pitch looks absolutely perfect for batting. Even Hick had absolutely no problem with Merv, belting him all over the place. The problem was, the batsmen just simply got themselves out before the one really big innings, or the one really big stand, could happen. They were 88-0, 177-2, and 231-3 at various times during the day, all positions from which a big total should have been achievable. But, they couldn't produce the goods. Nobody showed the determination of Taylor, or Boon, or Steve Waugh to not get out and build a really big score, not just a respectable one. This is why the Aussies have been producing 600+ totals and England haven't, even in conditions as favourable as this. In fact, England had slumped to 276-6 at one point, which on a track as good as this one is really poor stuff. Only a good stand between Stewart, who scored the runs, and Fraser, who held one end up, took England to respectability. In fact, just when Australia were starting to get really frustrated, they had the one piece of good luck they've needed during this series, when Stewart was given out off the bowling of Merv Hughes, caught behind off his forearm. Crap decision by the umpire, "Merv" Kitchen. In any case, England should have had many more runs on the board long before Stewart ever came in. A total of 500 was really the minimum target. As it stands, if things go according to the form displayed over the rest of the series, England will be all out for about 370, Australia will bat for two days and score about 650, then when England bat again the Aussie spinners will bowl in tandem for five sessions on the trot with seven fielders around the bat. That should complete the 5-0 series win with time to spare. And if this happens, England has nobody to blame but themselves. Thanks to Don Hughes on r.s.c. Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) Aus-Eng T6, Day2, morning session England batted for another 45 minutes this morning, fin- ishing 380 all out. Fraser 28, Watkin 13, Such 4, Malcolm 0*. Hughes finished with 3-121, Reiffel 2-88, Warne 2-70, S Waugh 2-45, May 1-32. Well folks, I'm very surprised to report that at long last we have a contest! Malcolm and Watkin have so far looked streets better than anyone else that has turned their arm over for England this season. Malcolm has been very quick, even faster than Merv, and only occasionally wild. Watkin has been tight, bowling line and length and get- ting movement off the seam. Both wickets were catches taken by Gooch fielding at short leg (normally Robin Smith's position). Slater received a short one, tried to hook but was beaten for pace, just lobbed it gently up. Boon received a quick ball angled in to him, tried to fend it off but played it straight to Gooch. The really surprising thing here is that whereas the Aussie batsmen have looked in total control in all the other tests, here they've been on the defensive. They've all played and missed, or spooned the ball up, and none of them have looked settled. Boon and Malcolm had a great battle - Boon cut at one ball which was quicker than he expected, it wound up going over third man's head for six! Another went in the air through the (empty) gully position for four. One short one Malcolm bowled was so quick that it finished four feet above Stewart's head, still rising! He just managed to snag it. Watkin bowled two balls, one to Taylor and one to Waugh, both of which moved a good 18 inches off the seam and nearly cut the batsman in two. He's just occasionally strayed onto Taylor's legs, which has cost some runs. Taylor has had to battle but looks to be playing well so far. In short, it was a really good hour's viewing. I just hope it continues this afternoon - an equal contest is much more enjoy- able than watching England playing like a bunch of wet dishrags and getting thrashed, no matter who you are supporting. Thanks to Don Hughes on r.s.c. CRICKET: SIXTH CORNHILL TEST The Oval The recalled duo of Devon Malcolm and Angus Fraser put England firmly in charge on the second day. The two fast bowlers took three wickets apiece as Australia crashed to 239 8 at close 141 runs behind the newly invigorated England side. Steve Watkin also got in on the act taking two wickets in four balls just as Merv Hughes and Ian Healy looked to be digging in. It left England in the strongest position they have achieved this series and in sight of a much needed morale boosting victory. England manager Keith Fletcher is set to report the Oval's prac- tice nets as sub standard after the pre match injury to Graham Thorpe. The Surrey left hander's left thumb was broken when a delivery from 17 year old Peter Dickinson jumped from a length. As a result Mark Ramprakash was rushed in as replacement and Fletcher plans to complain in his end of season report to the TCCB. Oval groundsman Harry Brind said the net surfaces were exactly the same as in previous years. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu) Aus-Eng T6, Day 3: 21 Aug 1993 HUGHES DAMPENS ENGLAND HOPES Merv Hughes put the Aussies firmly back in the match with two wickets in two balls as England went to the close on 210/5 a lead of 287. Hughes took Matthew Maynard (9) and Nasser Hussain first ball as England slumped from 157/1. Graham Gooch passed England's Test record in making his 79. England earlier bowled out the Aussies for 303 after Ian Healy made 83. Angus Fraser captured a superb 5/87. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu) Aus-Eng T6, Day 4 Sunday 22 August 1993 CRICKET: SIXTH TEST The Oval Australia have been set a target of 391 to deny England their first Test victory in over a year. Mark Ramprakash made his highest Test score of 64 in a partner- ship of 68 with Alec Stewart as England reached 313 all out. Angus Fraser gave steady support before edging a shot to Ian Healy giving Paul Reiffel his third scalp of the innings. England's hopes had earlier been hampered by rain and the players were forced off again at 5.25pm which turned out to be the close. TOURISTS AIM AT VICTORY SURGE Australia have pledged they will not bat for a draw on the last day of the sixth Test weather permitting. They are 1 0 chasing a 391 victory target but manager Bob Simp- son said: We certainly won't be playing for a draw from ball one. But England manager Keith Fletcher played down hopes of a home win. I can't get too excited because we need 10 wickets in a day he said. ENGLAND SET AUSSIES TOUGH TASK England were finally bowled for 313 after a late start to the day due to rain giving them a lead of 390. Starting after lunch from an overnight position of 210 5 England went well before losing Alec Stewart (35) and Angus Fraser (13) to Paul Reiffel. Middlesex's Mark Ramprakash (64) hit his highest Test score be- fore driving a catch to Michael Slater. Australia were 1 0 before bad light brought stumps. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu) Aus-Eng T6, upto Tea, Day 5 CRICKET: SIXTH TEST The Oval An inspired spell of bowling by Devon Malcolm left England on the verge of victory at tea. In the first over after lunch he had Australian captain Allan Border caught behind and soon afterwards claimed the prize scalp of Mark Waugh one short of a half century. Steve Watkin removed Ian Healy for his fourth wicket and Malcolm took his third trapping Steve Waugh lbw Merv Hughes was unable to steady the flow holing out to Watkin off Angus Fraser and by the interval the Aussies were reeling on 148-8. Close of Play: Sixth Test ENGLAND FINALLY WRAP UP VICTORY England have romped to a 161 run win in the sixth Test to claim their first victory over Australia since 1986. Resuming at 1 0 overnight chasing a victory target of 391 the tourists slumped to 229 thanks to England's new bowling line up. Devon Malcolm (3 84) Angus Fraser (3 44) and Steve Watkin (4 65) shared the glory with Mark Waugh providing the only real resis- tance with a defiant 49. BORDER SALUTE FOR ENGLAND WIN Defeated Australian skipper Allan Border has paid tribute to Eng- land's sixth Test triumph at the Oval. Credit where it's due because England really stuck it to us dur- ing this Test he said. But it's a big disappointment to finish like this. I thought we played some very good cricket for most of the tour and Shane Warne and Merv Hughes set the tone for most of our per- formances. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu)