THE SECOND TEST

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 146, 22 June 1934, Page 9

THE SECOND TEST

WEATHER FORECASTS

REFERENCES TO RAIN

PLAYERS' PROSPECTS

United Press Association—By Electric Tele'

eraph—Copyrieht.

(Received June 22, 1 p.m.)

LONDON, June 21,

. Towards the finish of a,cricket.practice, by the Australians, heid at Lord's today, there was a heavy shower of rain. The weather outlook is not promising, and, in expectation of lieavy rain, the wicket for the second Test, England v. Australia, has been covered. The Air Ministry forecasts rain and cloudy skies for tomorrow.

A special Test weather forecast is: Unsettled, cloudy weather, with drizzle or rain at^times; perhaps bright at intervals. /*

W. H. Ponsford, who.has liad a severe attack of influenza, attended Lord's today, but was too weak to practise with the other members of tho Australian team. ' Consequently a decision as to. whether ho would play in the Test.was deferred until tomorrow, by which time is was hoped that he would be fit. He returned; to bed immedi-1 ately after the practice, and the indications were that, unless he made a striking recovery overnight, he was not likely to play. It was. reported later that Ponsford's condition had not improved. .■...■';.-■

D. .G. Bradmaii, who. strained a thigh muscle at the conclusion of the first Test, is still limping slightly, and his movements in the second Test are certain to be handicapped. : ■ •.•;.■ All the other members of the Australian team, except Grimmett,, who is resting, enjoyed light practice at Lord's. ':

The wicket for the Test is likely to assist the fast bowlers, though its wearing qualities- on the third and fourth days cannot be taken for granted. The outfield is exceptionally hard and rough.

If Ponsford does not play, as seems likely, is expected to be included in the Australian team:..

■Wyatt batted at' Coventry and wore a nietal shield over a padded glove. He hit confidently and apparently without difficulty. He said: "My thumb stood the strain ; and did not inconvenience me at'all. I shall turn up-at,Lord's in full expectation of playing." "A clouting policy will not win the Test," . says Jardine. in the '^Evening Standard." ; '"Some say, if only our attacking batsmen, Hammond and fiendrenj Ames,; Barnett, and Leyland, treated O'Beilly and Grimmett as club boilers, they would clout them all over the field at the rate of a hundred runs an hour. . I cannot subscribe to this as sound tactics." ' ■'.. .