Cricket NO PLAY AT MANCHESTER

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 6

Cricket NO PLAY AT MANCHESTER

Further Rain During Night

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 22.

A rain-soaked test crowd was turned away from Old Trafford, Manchester, .at 4 o’clock yesterday after its members had waited throughout the day to see some play on the first day of the fourth test at Manchester. Ironically, the decision was announced in bright sunshine. The sun, aided by a drying wind, vastly improved the conditions not long after the departure of* the 3000 Lancashire members, plus the 1100 suffering ordinary spectators who paid £234 for nothing, said the “Daily Express.”

“No wonder the South Africans are still nearly £14,000 short of covering their tour expenses and seem fated to be the first touring side to show a loss in England since 1912,” said the newspaper’s cricket writer. Lancashire, although “heavily in ..the red” this year, had the country’s most elaborate nylon covers. They covered half an acre, yet they leaked between the strips, he said. Other moisture was apparently drawn to the surface by the warmth and vacuum underneath the covers. Teams are:— England: M. C. Cowdrey (captain), G. Pullar, R. Subba Row, D. Alien, K. F. Barrington. E. R. Dexter, T. Greenhough, R. Illingworth, D. E. V. Padgett, J. M. Parks, J. B. Statham, F. S. Trueman.

South Africa: D. J. McGlev) (captain), T. L. Goddard, S, O’Linn, R, A. McLean, A. J. Pithcy, J. H. B. Waite, P. R. Carlstein, C. Wesley, H. J. Tayfieid, J. E. Pothecary, N. A. T. .Adcock, C. A. R. Duckworth (twelfth man).

There may be difficulty in getting under way again today. The early morning forecast in Manchester is gloomy—“a few bright intervals but showers are likely throughout the day. Some may be heavy and thunderstorms are also likely." It rained steadily for much of the night in Manchester.