BEFORE THE TEST

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 9

BEFORE THE TEST

WICKET LIKELY TO ASSIST FAST BOWLERS OUTFIELD HARD AND ROUGH Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Juno 21. (Received Juno 22, at 9 a.in.) Rons Ford attended Lord’s to-day, but was too weak to practice, consequently the decision as to whether he will play in the second test has been deterred until to-morrow when it is hoped lie will bo fit. Bradman is still limping slightly and his movements in the test arc certain to be handicapped. All others, except G rim met t who is resting, enjoyed light practice. A heavy shower fell towards the finish. The wicket is likely to assist the fast bowlers, though its wearing qualities on the third and fourth days cannot ho taken for granted. The outfield is exceptionally hard and rough. In the event of Pohsforcl not being available Bromley will likely be chosen. The wicket has been covered in the expectation of heavy rain.

PONSFORD UNLIKELY TO PLAY LONDON, June 21. (Received Juno 22, at 10.50 a.m.) I’onsford returned to bed immediately after practice at Lord’s. It is now unlikely that he will play unless he makes a striking overnight recovery. Wyatt batted at Coventry. Wearing a padded glove he hit confidently and apparently without difficulty. Ho said that his thumb stood the strain and had not inconvenienced him at all. “ I shall turn up at Lord’s in full expectation of playing,” ho added. WEATHER FORECAST: RAIN AND CLOUDY SKIES LONDON, June 21. (Received June 22, at 11 p.m.) The Air Ministry forecasts rain and cloudy skies to-morrow. “A clouting policy will not win the test,” says D. R. Jardine in the ‘ Evening Standard.’ “ Some say if only our attacking batsmen—Hammond, Heudren, Ames, Barnett, and Leyland—-treated O’Reilly and Griramett as club bowlers they would clout them all over the field at the rate of 100 runs an hour. I cannot subscribe to this as sound tactics.”