AGAIN NO PLAY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 243, 11 July 1938, Page 11

AGAIN NO PLAY

Rain Holds Up Third Test GROUND SATURATED Doiibts About Punctual Start To-day By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received July 10, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. Plav was impossible to-day in tbe third Test match between England and Australia at Manchester owing to rain. At 4 p.m. the umpires decided to abandon the game for the day. After early morning rain the weather became brighter later in the morning, but the afternoon again brought heavy showers. The Australian Associated Press says that further heavy rain soon after the abandonment raised doubt about a punctual start being made on Monday. Saturated ground in the neighbourhood of the wicket is the principal obstacle and not all the apparatus devised in Manchester’s experience of washed-out matches was sufficient to provide the fieldsmen with a foothold.

Absorbent rollers, blankets, the towing of two light rollers round the outfield behind a motor-car and the laying down of new sods and turf from adjoining pitches had so little effect that the umpires, to whom the captains handed over the decision, needed only a few minutes to reach the decision to abandon play, of which there was never much hope. Assuming a draw here and another, in keeping with the ground’s reputation, at Leeds, the Test series may, therefore, begin and end at fhe Oval. Bradman has had a recurrence of the trouble in his right knee, from which he has suffered several times on the tour. Although .it is occasionally painful, it is not believed to be serious. A t Private information from Australia indicates that the Board of Control will reverse its decision not to allow Mrs. Bradman to join her husband in England at the conclusion of the present tour.

Rain also prevented any play on the first day of the match. There were showers at intervals early in the afternoon, and the decision to abandon play for the day was made shortly after 2.30 p.m. The teams were not announced, nor did the captains toss for the choice of innings. COUNTY MATCHES AFFECTED

Only Two Completed

London, July 8.

Rain throughout the country seriously interfered with county cricket, and ’only two matches were completed, the remaining fixtures being drawn. R. Pollard (Lancashire), who took six for 42 against Northamptonshire, became the first bowler to take 100 wickets for the season. One of the most successful bowlers was Clay (Glamorgan), who took five for 64 and six for 46 against Kent. Centuries were made by Gunn (Nottinghamshire) and H. Parks (Sussex). Results are: —

Derbyshire v. Essex, at Chesteriield. —Essex, 176 (Rtodes five for 25). Derbyshire, 31 for three. The match was drawn. Glamorgan v. Kent, at Cardiff. Glamorgan, 307 for nine, declared (E. Davies 98), and 31 for three wickets, declared. Kent, 166 (Woolley 71; Clay five for 64), and 104 (Clay six for 46). Glamorgan won by 68 runs. Hampshire v. Middlesex, at Southampton.—Hampshire, 263 (McCorkell 86). Middlesex, 5 for none. The match was drawn.

Nottinghamshire v. Leicestershire, at Nottingham.—Nottinghamshire, 452 for nine, declared (Harris 94, Gunn 184). The match was drawn.

Northamptonshire v. Lancashire, at Northampton.—Northamptonshire, 119 (Pollard six for 42) and 174. Lancashire, 116 (Buswell seven for 61) and 178 for three (Oldfield not out 72). Lancashire won by seven wickets. Warwickshire v. Sussex, at Birmingham—Sussex, 327 (H. Parks 114). Warwickshire, 25 for two wickets. The match was drawn.

Yorkshire v. Worcestershire, at Bradford. —Worcestershire, 227. Yorkshire, 93 for four. The match was drawn.

ETON v. HARROW

(Received July 10, 9.30 p.m.)

London, July 9.

Raiu stopped play in the cricket match between Eton and Harrow at Lord’s to-day. The match was drawn. Scores: Eton, first innings, 230 (Thomas 66). Harrow, first innings, 200.. Eton, second innings, 118 (Hayward five for 10). Harrow, second innings, 16 for one wicket.