CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 111, 20 February 1937, Page 2

CRICKET.

M.C.C.’s POOR SCORING. MATCH AGAINST VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, February 19. England’s early batsmen figured in a startling collapse on a fast wicket on the first day of the match with Victoria, and at stumps eight wickets were down for 169. The Englishmen broke another dry spell soon after reaching Melbourne; though the weather was brilliant this morniing, a thunderstorm last night delaying the start of the match till 2.30 p.m. The sky then became overcast and a breathless atmosphere threatened more thunder. Half an inch of rain had made the, turf near the cover on the wicket very soft. It was a slow, dull opening, but only because of the weather and because everyone’s mind was occupied with thoughts of the great event to be held here next Friday. Robins, still deputising for Allen, won the toss. England made another deplorable start, this time worse than ever. In the hour and a half before tea, England lost five wickets for 49 runs. Scores:

ENGLAND. First Innings. Verity, c Pearson, b Nash ... 1 Barnett, c Pearson, b McCormick 1 HardstafF, c Pearson, b Nash ... 14 Hammond, b Ebeliing 14 Ley land, c Led ward, b Sievers ... 19 Wyatt, c Barnett, b McCormick ... 1 Ames, not out 59 Robins, c Nash, b Pearson ... 33 Sims, o Ledward, b Ebeling ... 16 Voce, not out 8 Extras ... 3 Total (for 8 wk'ts.) ... 169 SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH. N.S.W. PLAYS SOUTH AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, February 19. In a Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, New South Wales in the first innings has scored 317 for eight (J. H. Fingleton 9, R'. Robinson 47, S. J. McCabe 39, S. Barnes 31, W. A. Oldlield not out 58, E. S. White not out 78). The match has unusual interest because of the approach of the final test, for which two vacancies in the Australian team have to be filled. The New South Wales wickets fell rapidly in the morning, but a fine partnership between Oldfield and White saved the situation.