THE CRICKET TEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 7

THE CRICKET TEST

RAIN PELTS DOAA 7 N. LITTLE PLAY POSSIBLE. (From the Special Correspondent of the United Press Association with the team.) LONDON, Aug. 14. Rain ruined the first day of the last cricket Test between England and New Zealand. Oniy nine overe were bowled. The bad weather was hard luck for the tourists, who were presented with a glorious opportunity of making a big score. New Zealand’s Saturday luck changed at last, the tourists winning the toss and going in to bat. The wicket had been covered overnight, but the outfield was slow through ram, which delayed the start until 1 o’clock. AL'vian and Hadlee carefully but confidently batted for half an hour until lunch. . Cover bowled at top pace. He had five men in the slips for the righthander and three in the slips and three at short leg tor the left-hander, with the wicket-keeper standing back Matthews, bowling fast to medium, had. threo men in the slips and two Qt The batsmen were quite untroubled, making easy, clean strokes off both bowlers. . , Rain pelted down after lunch. The wicket was protected, but puddles soon appeared in the outfield. Three thousand spectators huddled under newspapers and umbrellas on the open tiered seats until the rain stopped and then congregated in the front of the pavilion clamouring for play to recommence. . After several inspections the game was abandoned for the day at 5 o clock. Hadlee is playing, although Ins strained leg i 6 still painful. The New Zealand team is: T Page, Vivian, Moloney, AVallaee, Hadlee, Tin dill, Donnelly, Cowie, Roberts, Dunning and AVeir. Carson is twelfth man. Scores: — NEW ZEALAND. First Innings. Vivian, not out Hadlee, not out _

BODICE GUARD WICKET. POSSIBLE DAMAGE BY CROAVD. (From the Special Correspondent of the United Press Association with tho Team.) Received. August 16, 10.55 a.m. UONDON, Aug. 15. There was an unusual development on tho first day of the lest, when the crowd following tho umpires toward the wicket on their frequent inspections damaged the bowlers’ run-ups. Police assistance was invoked to keep the spectators clear of the centre of the ground. . . . „ Mr J. B. Hobbs, writing in the Star, protests against the futility of tlireeday Tests. He says: “Such games must be drawn unless the weather interferes or one side collapses completely for no good reason at all.” He declares that it is absurd to bring a team half way round the world when it is well known before hand that the international series will produce unsatisfactory draws. Mr Hobbs favours four-day games with New Zealand and five-day games with Australia. Mr T. C. Lowry, the New . Zealand manager, in an interview places the probable loss of the tour at over £IOOO. It is hoped to recoup some of this from tho three games in Australia. Sunday was beautifully fine and sunshine is forecast for to-morrow, with the wicket probably hard and fast.

Total for no wickets . 20 bowling ANALYSIS. 0. M. It. w. Gover 5 1 11 0 Matthews 4 o y 0