M.C.C. V. WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 67, 21 March 1933, Page 8

M.C.C. V. WELLINGTON

KEEN DISAPPOINTMENT

■WAITING IN THE RAIN

Unprecedented interest having been aroused in the visit of tho M.C.C. team to Wellington, it came as a great disappointment to thousands of cricket enthusiasts, many of them from long distances, to find the local spell of bright weather definitely broken on the morning of the big attraction— M.C.C. v. Wellington, at the Basin Reserve. To those who had given mnch timo and energy in preparing elaborately for a big cricket occasion it was a bitter pill. Throughout the morning the weather was showery, and the rain not being sufficiently heavy to call off play for the day there- was tho unsatisfactory experience of remaining in waiting, and this was shared with players and officials by some hundreds of people in the ground and outside. It was a case of waiting in the rain, and hoping for a brighter ray and some cricket at least. England's Test cricketers had come just a week too late, as Wellington's weather last week had been delightful. Their visit was something well out of the ordinary for New Zealand, and, this fact recognised all around, it was agreed this morning that every endeavour should be made to get on with the game,- especially as it was limited to two days. Occasionally the prospects of a start appeared favourable. At about 11.20 a.m. tho two captains, D. R. Jardine- (England) and K. C. James (Wellington) made an inspection of the ground and wicket (which was covered), and they agreed then to make another inspection at noon. By that time, however, the rain had set in more steadily, and it was decided that there would'bo no play before lunch, the period for which was advanced a quarter of an hour (1 p.m. to 1.45 p.m.). England' 3 team for this match, did not include W. Vote, G. 0. Alien, M. Leyland, or E. E: S. Wyatt, and, of course, the spearhead of the attack (Larwood) and tho Nawab of Pataudi were not on hand, having left) the team at Adelaide. Nevertheless the eleven against Wellington was regarded as a powerful combination. With only two days set down for the match and the actual time further reduced by rain, the opportunity was offering for bright cricket, but prospects in this direction were not improved by tho experience before lunch today. Tho teams have been selected as follows:— - ' . . ENGLAND-. D. R. Jardine (captain). H. Suteliffie. • W. R. Hammond. E. Paynter. L. E. G. Ames.. F. R. Brown. H. Verity. M. W. Tate. W. E. Bowes. ' T. B. Mitchell. G. Duckworth. ; WELLINGTON. K. C. .Tames (captain). C. S. Dempster. H. Foley. E. W. Tindill. M. A. O'Brien. J« R. Lamason. B. Champness. R, Morgan. C. Parsioe. ■ • D. Freeman. J. Newman. E. D. Blundell. This afternoon Chanipness ' was named as Wellington's twelfth man. The umpires are Messrs. -C.» Webb' (Wellington) and K. H. Cave (Wanganui). PLAY ABANDONED TOR TODAY. .After lunch the captains again inspected the wicket and ground. During their tour they amused themselves and the small band of onlookers by endeavouring to drive away a big'flock, of seagulls which had settled on tho playing area. No play was possible at that stage, but hope was not abandoned, another inspection being fixed for 2.30 p.m. At that hour, however, the prospect was hopeless, and ijfc was decided to abandon play for the day, and to commence at 11.30 a.m. tomorrow, if the weather permits.