CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10169, 28 July 1924, Page 7

CRICKET.

SOUTH AFRICA v. ENGLAND. (Ter Press Association —Copyright.) ' LONDON, July 26. J W H. T. Douglas (Essex) captained England in the Fourth Test against the South Africans at Manchester. , , . A. E. R. Gilligan, acting under ms doctor’s orders, did not play. Ho is suffering from a severe blow over the' heart from a delivery by Pearson in the Gentlemen v. Players’ match early in the month. . The match was commenced in dull and threatening weather, and on a soft " 'south Africa won the toss and batted first. With four down for 116, heavy rain set in, and play was abandoned for the day. , Ernest Tyldesley was omitted from the English' team, and Hands replaced Dixon in the visitors’ team. ihe match was opened in instalments of 45 57 27, and 40 minutes respectively between 11.30 a.m. and 4 pm., when heavy rain finally settled matters Afterwards the sun shone gloriously. The abandonment disturbed a section of the spectators, numbering over a thousand, who inspected the pitch ana then moved to the pavilion, where Hornby, Brearley, and others reasoned with them and got them to disperse. There were just 169 mimi'tes’ play, and South Africa’s score was a good beginning in the circumstances. The wicket was slow. The rain spoiled it to a degree, but there was no drying under the sun. and the coming of rain pre-vented-it from becoming really difficult, and, in a measure, rather handicapped the bowlers. Ward played ■ masterly defensive cricket in spells of 40, o/, 27. and 10 minutes respectively. • He might have been caught when 22 but it was a hard catch. Nourse played attractive cricket, but gave a clianco when seven. Altogether, with tlie stop-

pages, there were 16 bowling spells in 67 overs. Scores: —

SOUTH AFRICA. First Innings. Commaille, lbw, b Tate ... ••• 8 Ward, b Tate ... 50 Susskind, lbw, bR. Tyldesley ... 6 Nourse, b Tate *8 Taylor, not out ... ... ••• 1° Catterall, not out ... ... ••• 6 Extras H Total (for four wickets) ... 116