CRICKET Rain Halts Play At Trent Bridge

Press, Volume C, Issue 29567, 17 July 1961, Page 6

CRICKET Rain Halts Play At Trent Bridge

IN.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NOTTINGHAM, July 15. Rain ruined the first day of the Australians’ match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge today, and only 75 minutes of the scheduled 360 minutes’ play was possible.

In this time the Australians, sent in to bat on a wicket which did not justify such a move, made 64 for one. The runs came in two sessions—4l in the 55 minutes before lunch and 23 in 20 minutes in mid-afternoon. R. B. Simpson (42 not out) scored most of them. He batted soundly, was never in trouble, and seemed to relish the return to the opening position. The heavy outfield robbed him of many runs but he did reach the boundary three times, one of them with his only poor stroke—a mistimed hook off the fast bowler, I. Davidson, which flew over the wicket-keep-er’s head. Simpson had to be watchful because the ball tended to come through at two heights, but the pitch played

slowly and his defence was sufficiently solid. He needs 112 to become the third Australian to pass 1000 for the tour and on today’s form he could get the runs on Monday. C. C. McDonald stayed 48 minutes for 10 before edging a ball from Corran on to his leg stump, while R. N. Harvey hit his 11 not out in 27 minutes with one fine square-cut four off the Jamaican medium-pacer, Forbes. Harvey and Simpson raised the Australians' 50 in 66 minutes and at no stage did they look in trouble against the Nottingham fast bowlers. It was a disappointment for the crowd, but only about 3000 turned up, the wintry conditions no doubt influencing the others to stay away. Scores:—

AUSTRALIANS First Innings C. G. McDonald, b Corran 10 R. B. Simpson, not out .. R. N. Harvey, not out Extra Total for one wicket 42 11 1 64 Fall of wickets: one Bowling for 37. Corratn o. M. R. W. .. 11 1 38 1 Davidson .. 7 2 30 0 Forbes 4 0 15 0