A DULL GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 167, 18 July 1938, Page 13

A DULL GAME.

BARNES TOP SCORE.

NOTTINGHAM BOWLERS. AUSTRALIA STRUGGLES FOR. 243. LOXDOX, July Iβ. The match between the Australian cricketers and Nottinghamshire was commenced to-day in cold and ehowery weather, the play being interrupted by rain. The attendance wae leas than 3000. The vieitora, who won the toss and batted first, made 243, and the county replied with four rune for one wicket.

It was a sepulchral day's cricket, relieved at intervale by occasional exciting events. It was impossible to generate enthusiasm with damp, black clouds hanging over the ground all day. There was a series of stoppages, owing to poor light. Vow's Difficulties. Voce, who wae not fit, was unable to bowl at top speed or for prolonged spells. Hid eucceea in the circumstances wae a tribute to hie skill and versatility. It wtm While Voce and Jepeon were absent from the bowling crease that Australia, which was fighting for cans, assumed command long enough to avoid disaster.

Harrie, bowling off-epinnere with clever changes of length and flight, proved eucceesful, but the form of nioet of the batemen wae so poor that the visitors must be thankful they did not have to face the county's 'full strength. An aggressive display by O'Reilly got Australia out of eerioue trouble. Bradman and Barnes were the only other batsmen who had eyes capable of penetrating the gloom and of sighting the ball.

Bradman was hie cool end masterful eelf, and seemed likely to eave the side unaided, but when he went out Barnes carried the heavy responsibility. Barnes' assurance wae in contrast to the uncertain display >by Badcock, whose Test place he threaten!. The combination of the weather an.d the public indifference appeared to depress the Australians.

Details of the scores:—* , AUSTRALIA—Finrt Innings. Brown, c Maishall, b Voce 4 Badcock, c Wheat, b Jepson ........ 6 Bradman, Ibw, b Jepson 66 Hassett, Ibw, b Voce .-. "2 Barnes, Ibw, b Harris 58 Chipperfield. b Jepson ~... 4 Barnett, b Harris l .7 3 Waite, c Wheat, b Harrii . 25 Ward, not out .■«,.*•.• 29 CReilly, Ibw, v Voce 33 Fleetwood-Smith, e Jepson, i> Harris 8 Extra* K Total 1.../.. 243 Bowling: Voce took three wickets for 72 rune, Jepson three for 38, Harris four for 60, Gunn none for 38, Marshall none for 20. NOTTS—First Inning*. Keeton, b White 3 Harris, not out 1 Total for one wicket • • 4