WEST INDIES v. AUSTRALIA

West Indies made three changes from the side which lost the fourth Test in the hope of being able to salvage something from the series. As Foster's back had recovered, he replaced Greenidge while the two Trinidad left-arm spinners, Inshan Ali and Jumadeen, came in for Willett and Holder, Lloyd being once again left to share the new ball with Boyce. On the Australian side Benaud came in for Stackpole who broke a finger against the Windward Islands, and Edwards opened the batting with Redpath.

With the series already decided there was very little public interest in the match and there probably were not more than two thousand spectators in the ground on any one day. The cricket inevitably was something of an anti-climax although in the end Australia came within a measurable distance of winning for the third time. Having won the toss they insured against defeat by scoring more than 400 in the first innings. After Redpath and Edwards had put on 50, Ian Chappell, Walters and Marsh all passed 50. There was another fine piece of bowling by Gibbs, but Inshan Ali and Jumadeen, an orthodox spinner, did not make the impression it was hoped they would on their own ground.

When the West Indies replied nearly all their batsmen succeeded in getting themselves out when well set, which was some indication of the lack of pressure in the game. Fredericks and Lloyd made pleasant fifties and the wickets were shared by Walker and Jenner; both bowled impressively. In the Australian second innings all their batsmen contributed but again most got out when fairly well established. Gibbs took four for 66 in 32 overs in the second innings making a total of 26 in the series and 238 in all Test matches.

West Indies were left to score 319 in four and a half hours, but they lost their first two wickets for 30 and this became out of the question. When at tea on the last day they were 88 for four they had an anxious time ahead before the game was safely drawn.