AFRICA 530.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 15

AFRICA 530.

THE FINAL TEST.

INNINGS LASTS 13 HOURS.

SPRINGBOKS NEED VICTORY TO RETAIN HONOURS.

(Received XI a.m.)

DURBAN, March 6.

After commencing the third day's play in the hual Test with 423 runs ou the board and only six wickets down, the South Africans' first innings closed for 530. It lasted for 13 hours.

Soon after the English wicket-keeper was caught behind by Africa's uew custodian, Grievson (who made 73 runs for his side), stumps were drawn early owing to rain. Xourse was yorked trying to slog after passing 'his century. The scores were:— *"~ SOUTH AFRICA.—First Innings. Melville, hit wicket, b Wright 78 Van dcr Byl, b Perks , 123 Rowan, lbw, b Perks 33 Mitchell, b Wright 11 Viljoen, c Ames, b Forks 0 Xourse, b Perks 103 Dalton, c Ames, b Fames f>7 Grievson, b Perks 75 Langton, c Payuter, b Verity 27 Xewson, c and b Verity 1 Gordon, not out 0 Extras 20 Total ~530 .Bowling: Perks took five wickets for 100 runs; Verity, two for !)7: Wright, two for 142; Fames, one for 108: Kdrich, none for 29; Hammond, none for 34. EXGLAND.—First Innings. Gibl), c Grievson, b Newson 4 Hutton, not out 24 Faynter, not out 0 Extras ~ 1 Total for one wicket 35

The mutch is being played to a finish under the sumo new provision which was incorporated in the Anglo-Australian rules last year. f'lf after the conclusion of the fourth Test the difference in matches won is not greater than one, the fifth Test shall be played to a finish."

Accordingly, as England won the third frame at Durban by an innings, and the other three were drawn, the present engagement (the second in the Natal capital) will be fought to a finish. If victorious the Springboks will retain the supremacy gained in South Africa in 1930-31, and confirmed iu England in 1935.

An Independent Cable Service message states that it took Xourse 5 hours ;>6 minutes to reach his century, which included only six boundaries.