THE RAIN WINS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1928, Page 16

THE RAIN WINS.

CRICKET MATCH ABANDONED

AUSTRALIANS AT GISBORNE,

VISITORS START WELL.

(By Telegraph — Press Association.)

GISBORNE, this day,

Only two and a-hnlf hours' play was possible yesterday in the match between the Australian cricketers and the Poverty Bny representatives. The wicket was flooded in the morning, but in spite of showers the game was continued at 2.15 in the afternoon.

The last two batsmen in Poverty Bay's first Innings continued to bat brightly, and carried the total to 01, the last wicket adding 36 in 45 minutes. 1 the High School boy, gave a chanceless display for the top score of the innings. He played fine strokes all round the wicket and batted for an hour. The innings occupied 175 minutes. Ponsford and Woodfull opened the Australians' innings ar.d played carefully, scoring mainly in singles. A steady pace was maintained until the total was 97, scored in 92 minutes. Then Ponsford was beautifully caught at mid-on. lie had made 47. Kippax played brightly, but rain stopped play. Woodfull gave a chanceless but unenterprising display. Bennett, a slow spin bowler, was largely responsible for the slow scoring. He bowled 16 overs,, including seven maidens, for only 13 runs. Lockett bowled well, sending down nine overs for 15 runs and a wicket. Tho Australians left last evening for Napier owing-to the Opotiki Road being closed to carl. Scores:-* POVERTY BAY.—First Innings. Lockett, b Morton 0 O. Robertson, c Richardson, b Morton 6 J. Scholium, b Blackio v . Ifl Bennett, b Morton 0 L. Thomson, b Morton 10 Fraser, b Morton 0 Pocock, b Morton i Jennings, b Blackie 3 W. J. Scholium, b Blackie 4 Turbitt, c Oxenham, b TfcNamee .. 28 £. Dow, not out Hi Extras 7 Total 91 Bowling.—Morton took six wickets 1 for 27 runs, McNamee one for 16, Blackie throe for 25, Kippax none for 0, Alexander none for 10. AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Ponsford, c Pocock, b Lockett .... 47 Woodfull, not out 50 Kippax, not out 13 Extras 10 Total for one wicket 120 Bowling.—W J. Scholium took no wickets for 32 runs, Bennett none for 15, O. Robertson nose for 21, Lockett one for 15 t , E. Dow* none iof 23, J. Scholium none for & ■ i