ESSEX'S RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 114, 16 May 1934, Page 10

ESSEX'S RECORD

POOR AGAINST VISITORS

(By "Not Out.")

The Australian cricketers conimenc* a match today with Essex, a county which has fared badly against overseas teams. Leyton has been the scene of most of the more important matches in which.Essex has been engaged..but on this occasion the match is being played at Chelmsford. The reason, for : the change■ is that the Leytoa ground has been • purchased for sports purposes by the Metropolitan Police. Thus, a ground on which many historic feats have been recorded passes from first-class cricket, though it will be, associated for all. time with deeds of the past, from the time it was known, ars tho Lyttelton ground. Two years, ago, it will be remembered, the record iirst-wicket partnership, of 555 by Holmes and Sutcliffo was established, at licyton. " „ '

Though an improved side last year and doing .much better than usual in: county championship matches, Esses: did not break its run of poor performances against teams from overseas. Tho West Indies team was in England last year, and it had much, the better of its match with Esses, who were dismissed for 86 and 204. The West Indies (106 and-370 for six wickets, declared) won- by 136 runs. In the 1932 season the All-India team had the better of a drawn match with Essex. The last New Zealand team to visit England (in 1931) opened its tour against Essex and won handsomely by an innings and 4S runs, Dempster making a double-century. When tho Australians wero last in England (in 1930) they won their match with Essex by 207 runs, Hornibrook in tho county first inninsjs taking six wiefcets tor 11 runs. The highest score of the match -was 57, by Kippax, bni Woodfull and Fairfax passed tho 50 mark in the second innings. Bradmau did not play in that match.

The Essex .team for today's match is the same as that which was beaten by the West Indies last year, except that Fames takes the place of Lawrence. Fames strengthens the attack, as it was acknowledged last season that he was the best amateur fast bowler in England.