RAIN STOPS PLAY IN TEST

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 146, 16 March 1939, Page 9

RAIN STOPS PLAY IN TEST

Match Abandoned RECORD SCORE FOR FOURTH INNINGS By Telegraph.—Tress Assn.—Copyright. DURBAN, March 14. The record-breaking final cricket Test between England and South Africa ended today, when heavy rain at the tea adjournment caused it to be abandoned. England’s second innings score was then 654 for five wickets (Hammond 140, Paynter 75), 42 runs still being required, with five wickets in hand. England’s first innings realized 316 runs and South Africa made 530 and 481. To the records already established, which included the highest score ever made by South Africa in a Test against England, were added a record score for the fourth innings, not only in Tests, but also in all first-class matches, and a record aggregate for a Test or other first-class matches. England won the rubber by defeating South Africa in the third Test, the only one of the series of live which was completed, by an innings and 13 runs.

■When play was resumed this morning on the tenth day of the match, England’s score was 496 for three wickets, the not-out batsmen being Hammond (58) and Paynter (24). By the luncheon adjournment the

score had been taken to 578 for three (Hammond 93. Paynter 68). The previous highest score for a fourth innings, 572 by New South Wales against South Australia in 1907-08, had already been broken. Forcing The Pace. Though the wicket was worn, it played well. For a start the Englishmen played themselves in carefully, but later they began to force the pace, and both Hammond and Paynter lost their wickets in consequence. During the afternoon the aggregate for the match was taken to 19S1 runs, beating the previous record of 1921) runs for the match between New South Wales and South Australia in 1925-26. Hammond, in a farewell statement, said that he hoped this would be the last of timeless Tests between England and South Africa. He thought that such matches were against the best interests of the game. Details:— SOUTH AFRICA. First innings 530 Second innings 481 ENGLAND. First innings 316 Second Innings. Hutton, b. Mitchell 55 Gibb, b. Dalton 120 Edrich, c. Gordon, b. Langton .. 219 Hammond, st. Grieveson, b. Dalton 140 Paynter, c. Grieveson, b. Gordon . 75 Ames, not out 17 Valentine, not out 4 Extras 24 Total for live wickets G 54

Bowling Analysis.—Newson took no wickets for 91 runs; Gordon, one for 174; Langton, one for 132; Dalton, two for 100;, Mitchell, one for 133.