The Final Test

Announcing on Track 12,

the 2:
03 from Southampton.

Steve!

Extra specials here.

- Here you are, sir.

- Thanks

- Senator Baumbacher?

- That is so.

Would you mind a moment, sir?

Is this your first visit to England, Senator?

That is so.

Have you any special purpose for you visit?

No sir. My visits purely exploratory.

While here, I hope to have the opportunity ...

... of observing as many aspects as possible

of the British way of life.

I shall study closely the present

crisis and the settling of it.

Heard the news?

Englands finished.

Hasnt got a ruddy chance.

Thats it.

Little Hope for England.

England May Collapse Today. The Crisis.

Well, I dont know.

I still think Englands got sort of a chance.

Ah, thank heaven, you at least

have not been ...

... bitten by this bug of defeatism.

I beg your pardon, sir?

You said, you still think that England

have a chance?

Oh well, if it doesnt rain,

I think well pull through.

Ah, you mean the harvest.

No sir, I mean the Oval wicket.

Weve 550 odd runs to make in the first innings.

- And if those Aussies ...

- Be so good, sir, as to inform me ...

... what the blazes youre talking about.

Cricket guvnor.

The final test.

England versus Australia at the Oval.

Cricket?

Now that is illuminating.

Ive heard these stories about

the passionate excitement cricket ...

... arouses over here, but I never

did realise it could drive a grave ...

... financial crisis off the national headlines.

Well, you see, sir, since the war we've

had quite a few of these financial crises.

One a year on average.

And we only get the Aussies over

here once in four.

Perhaps thats what it is.

But of course a war, I grant you, is different.

But a crisis ...

Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.

- Where to, sir?

- The cricket game.

Oh, you mean the Oval.

Excuse me, sir, please.

-Good morning.

-Morning.

Going to be an exciting day?

-I hope not.

-Oh?

All I want is to see the boys piling up

the runs quietly and not getting out.

I dont want any excitement, thanks.

Pardon me, sir, but as a stranger in these

parts, may I ask a question?

Go ahead.

This, I gather is the fourth day

of this particular game.

I also gather that during the past few weeks,

there have been four other games.

... each of five days, between these same teams.

Correct.

I also gather that this particular game

cannot possibly decide anything ...

... whichever team wins.

Thats right.

It is also, I am told, very possible that

neither side will in fact win this game.

Well lets hope so.

Now, looking around this field,

Id say at a rough estimate ...

... there are 30,000 people here.

About that.

Now you hope there will be no excitement

That is, you would say ...

... a fairly general view among

all these spectators.

Well, of course ... if theyre English.

I see.

Yes, I see.

Well, what was your question?

Theres plainly no point in asking.

Perhaps youd be kind enough to tell me

something about the state of the game.

Well on Thursday and Friday,

the Australians batted and ...

... they made that score you see over there:

Is it important that I should

know what declared means?

No... But on Saturday, we had a spot of rain

so there was only about 10 minutes play.

And the crowd all got rain checks.

Good Lord, no. Theres no guarantee of play.

Look on your ticket, its very clearly marked.

In those 10 minutes, Hutton and Washbrook,

the English opening pair made 7 runs ...

... for no wickets. So in the next two

days, its up to England to try and ...

... avoid getting beaten.

I see. Couldnt they go further

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