LOW SCORING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 195, 31 May 1938, Page 5

LOW SCORING

AUSTRALIA v. MIDDLESEX, WICKET AIDS THE BOWLERS. YOUNG PLAYER’S GOOD “BAG.” (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 30. Rain delayed the start of the cricket match Australia v. Middlesex at Lords ground. Bradman changed the team announced on Saturday and included Barnett and O’Reilly ,in place of Walker and Ward. Middlesex introduced Nevell and Young instead of Allen and Gray. Australia’s Early Losses. Bradman, for the fifth occasion in succession, won the toss and chose to bat, in spite of the ominous dampness of the pitch after a wet week-end. Fingleton was out the last ball of Smith’s first over. The ball breaking sharply from the off, Fingleton allowed it to pass.

Rain stopped play after three overs, and there was a delay of twenty minutes. Bradman had an early escape off Nevell, a right-hand medium howler, whom he skied, but Human misjudged the catch at fine leg. Two overs later, off Nevell/ Bradman hit across and skied an outswinger and he was caught by Compton at fine leg. Badcock was then a victim of the same bowler being caught by Human at long-on. McCabe should have been out when two, Sims dropping a catch at fine leg.

Heavy rain at 12*,40 again play.

Rain ceased after luncheon. The captains inspected the wicket at 3 p.m. and disagreed. Then the umpires were called on and they decided to inspect the wicket again at 3.30 when they ordered play to commence at 4 p.m. The wicket was still damp when play was resumed.

McCabe soon played a ball on to his wicket and the score was four for 34.

Hassett and Chipperfield were then associated in a partnership worth 54 runs. Both made many admirable strokes.

Chipperfield, Waite and O’Reilly all lost their wickets with the score at 106. McCormick and Fleetwood-Smith slashed furiously, McCormick hitting Robins for six. The innings lasted 140 minutes. Middlesex’s Bad Start. McCormick, making the ball fly faster than in recent matches, and O’Reilly, getting assistance from the pitch, immediately had the Middlesex openers in trouble. Australia had lost 3 for 22, but Middlesex with 3“lor 16 started even more disastrously. Edrich was dismissed when only 10 run 9 short of 10G0 in May. Compton and Human managed to survive an unhappy period to the drawing ,of the stumps. A correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says that except for Chipperfield and, to a lesser degree, Hassett, the Australian batsmen cut sorry figures, though perhaps they gained useful experience and a sobering reminder of the part the weather can play in the destination of “The Ashes.” The, wicket certainly aided the'bowlers but could never fairly be, discribed as sticky. Nevell, who got remarkable bag—Badcock, Bradman and McCabe — is aged 21. He is a member of the Lords ground staff. The scores are:

AUSTRALIA

First Innings,

Fingleton, bJ. Smith ... Badcock, c Human, b Novell -~... 10 Bradman, c Compton, b. Nevell ... 5 McCabe, b NevelL ...: ... ; '-.V -TO Hassett, lbw, b Sims ..,■■■ 27, Chipperfield, c Compton, 1> Robins 30 Waite, b Sims ... ... .... •8. "Walker, not out ... ... ... 4 O’Reilly, lbw, b Robins ... ... 0 McCormick, e Smith, b Sims ... 12 Fleetwood-Smith, st Price, b Sims 10 Extras 9 Total ... ... ••• 132 Bowling: Smith one for 23, Nevell three for 38, Young none for 10, Sims four for 25, Robins two for 27. MIDDLESEX. First Innings. Edrich, b O’Reilly 9 Price, lbw, b McCormick 1 Webster, c Walker, b McCormick 0 Hulme, b O’Reilly ••• 4 Compton, not out ... ... ••• Human, not out ... 9 Extras 9 Total for four wickets ... 49

“DON” CLUB STARTED, LONDON GIRLS’ PLAN. LONDON, May 17. Girl clerks and typists have started a “Don” Club. Each pays 6d into a pool for every 50 runs Bradman makes. His score at Lord’s (257) cost them 2s Gd each. The proceeds will pay members’ expenses for any match round London in which Bradman plays.