DENIS COMPTON’S HEALTH

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26125, 30 May 1950, Page 5

DENIS COMPTON’S HEALTH

MAY BE UNABLE TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

(Rec- 9 p.m.) LONDON. May 28. ‘ Denis Compton will play no more first-class Association football, and he is unlikely to be fit for the cricket tour of Australia at the end of this year, ’ says Reuter.

“Aggravation of knee trouble is the cause. Compton is optimistic, but few of those in possession of the full facts believe that his knee, on which fluid has developed, would stand up to the hard grounds in Australia. Since the trouble became acute a fortnight ago, Compton has been having intensive treatment designed to an operation, if possible. “The worst piece of news for England is that little benefit is thought to be likely from an operation. One operation which could be performed wouid leave the knee stiff. Compton will do anything rather than take such a step, which could mean an early finish to his career.” ( Alex Bannister, cricket writer for the Daily Mail,” says that the news of Compton's knee injury is the saddest blow English cricket has had to suffer lor many years. It means that Englands chances of regaining the ashes from Australia are seriously weakened “If Compton s test career is finished, it is as if Hobbs had been cut off in his prime, or Bradman deprived of the last 10 years of his cricket life." Bannister adds.

WORLD BOXING TITLE

MIDDLE-WEIGHT BOUTS ARRANGED IN U.S.

'Rec- 9P-m.) WASHINGTON. May 28. The National Boxing Association announced to-night that it had decided not to strip Jake Lamotta of his world middleweight title, because he had agreed to defend the title within 90 days of his match with Rocky Graziano, scheduled for June 28 in New York. Lamotta has not defended his title since he won it from Marcel Cerdan.

The National Boxing Association said that its decision was based on a poll of its executive committee, which had 1 also decided that a match between Raj-1 Robinson and Robert Villemain a't Philadelphia on June 5 would be classed as a pre-championship contest.! The winner of the bout must meet the winner of the Philadelphia bout within 90 days or i forfeit recognition for the title. J