THE THIRD TEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1938, Page 7

THE THIRD TEST

PLAY STILL HELD UP TORRENTIAL RAIN AT MANCHESTER. WATER SURROUNDS WICKET. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. LONDON, July 11. There was torrential rain in Manchester at 11 a.m. and there will be no play today in the cricket Test between Australia and England. The decision was reached without inspecting the wicket, which is surrounded by pools of water. There will probably be no play tomorrow. Rain fell all day yesterday in Manchester. A FEW HOURS PLAY. MAY BE POSSIBLE TODAY. (Recd This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. There was no rain at Manchester between 1 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. The forecast is for showers, but it is hoped that a few hours play will be possible tomorrow. A SUBSTITUTE TEST. SUPPORT FOR MANCHESTER PROPOSAL. (Recd This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. There is a strong advocacy of a Manchester proposal to abandon the Australians’ matches against Scotland and Durham in favour of a substitute Test at Manchester from August 4 to August 8. It is understood that Lancashire is favourable and it is thought that the counties would willingly release Test players for the sake of an extra pool to the Counties. Advocates of the proposal point to the precedent of extra Tests against New Zealand in 1931. WEATHER & FINANCE HEAVY LOSS iN PROSPECT. THE SUBSTITUTE MATCH PROPOSAL. (Recd This Day, 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, July 11. The Australian Associated Press says Lancashire officials naturally favour the suggested substituted Test at Manchester, but the idea seems to be principally the product of wet weather boredom, without solid backing. Mr W. A. Jeanes (Australian manager) says the suggestion is good, but he thinks nothing will come of it. Sir P. Warner cannot see how the fixtures can be rearranged. It is recalled that New Zealand in 1931 was granted three Tests instead of the one originally arranged, but that scarcely constitutes a precendent for scheduling six Tests instead of five. The financial aspect is the strongest reason for the proposal. Seeing that no Test between England and Australia has been completed at Manchester in 33 years, there is no reason to suppose that a change in date will produce that result. If the present match is abandoned without a ball being bowled, the losses to the cricket authorities and trades connected with the match may be £25,000, of which the Australian Board’s share will be about £4,000.