Aust’s Hopes Washed Out

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31680, 16 May 1968, Page 15

Aust’s Hopes Washed Out

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LEICESTER. More rain prevented any chance Australia had of forcing victory over Leicestershire yesterday. Australia declared at lunch with one wicket down for 132 runs in its second innings, leaving itself 260 runs ahead with 210 minutes to play. But rain which began during the luncheon adjournment did not stop during the

afternoon, and at tea the umpires abandoned play. Dashing batting by W. M. Lawry (65 not out) and R. M. Cowper (56 not out) featured the pre-lunch session. They shared a secondwicket stand of 118 in 94 minutes.

Lawry hit with plenty of power and was not afraid to loft the ball over the inner ring of fieldsmen. His timing was faultless, and the only jarring note was his early running misunderstanding with his opening partner, I. R. Redpath. Cowper, at his aggressive best, was stroking the ball with fine touch and assurance. He cut and hooked against the pace men and used his feet well to the spinners. Scores: Australia 233 and 132/1 dec., Leicestershire 105/9 dec. County Games Abandoned Five of the seven county matches were abandoned as draws and another was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Before the weather intervened at Bradford, the England opening batsman, G. Boycott, scored the twentyfifth century of his career, for Yorkshire against Sussex. Boycott hit 10 fours and two sixes, and shared an opening

stand of 168 with P. Sharpe, whose 78 included 11 fours. Scores:— Warwickshire 118/4 v. Hampshire (abandoned). Glamorgan v. Essex (abandoned). Yorkshire 242/5 declared (G. Boycott 100, P. Sharpe 78). Sussex 96/7 (J. Parks 49 not out). (Abandoned). Worcestershire 210/5 declared (T. Graveney 81 B. D’Oliveira 61 not out), Oxford University 45/1 (abandoned). Cambridge University 119/6 declared (R. Harman 4/28) and 96 (R. Harman 5/31), drew with Surrey 113/2 declared (J. Edrich 59). Gloucestershire 110/5 declared and 90/7 declared, drew with Middlesex 46/3 declared and 83/5. Middlesex two points, Gloucestershire one.

Player Recalled.—The English selectors have recalled M. J. Sangster to their tennis team to meet Finland In the Davis Cup, from May 23-25. The other members are R. K. Wilson, M. Cox, and P. Hutchins. League Cancelled.—The interstate Rugby league match between New South Wales and Queensland last evening was cancelled because of a freak storm, which brought 60 mile an hour "winds and torrential rain to Sydney. Hole-In-One.—L. G. Barnett holed in one at the Ellesmere Club’s 157-yard Clements hole, using a 5-iron. This is the first time the teat has been achieved at this hole.