IS IT THE LIGHT?

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 18, 21 July 1934, Page 10

IS IT THE LIGHT?

LOW SCORES IH TEST MATCH

(By VNot Out.")

The difference of opinion among the enties makes it difficult to find the real reason for the" extraordinarily weak batting on the first day of the fourth Test. At time of writing there has been no mention of .the light, and it is possible that the jioor light so frequently experienced on this ground had something to. do with the poor display of batsmanship, though apparently there were no appeals against the light.' Appeals have been made before in Tests at Leeds. They were quite frequent in the 1930 Test. It was when England commenced their second innings of that Test some three hours before stumps that the crowd demonstrated against the batsmen (Hobbs and Sutcliffe) because of their appeals against the light, which was very poor. At the same time the crowd cheered the Australians. The demonstration continued when play was resumed after a break,through an appeal being upheld. England were up against it in havmg to play again in the bad light, and finally at 5.50 p.m. the match ended another appeal being successful It may be, then, that the. light was poor when some of the]wickets fell late in yesterday's play, especially : when Bowes was in action with the ball Even so, it is difficult to believe that the wicket-was dead easy. Should conditions be favourable: the Australians, in spite of their bad beginning, ought to be capable of' running up a score exceeding-that made by England. Ordinarily Bradman would be the next batsman on the list,' but for the opening of a day's play it is to bo expected that MeCabe will be Ponsf ord 's partner. The Australians nave toNperform only moderately well today to place themselves in a good position. The day's play should bo keen, and interesting. ' ■ ... In only one of the previous six/Tests at Leeds, has England made "a. poorer showing than that which produced 200 runs yesterday. In the 1909 match there England made 182 and 87. Australia replying with 188 and 207. However, when the 1902 Test in Yorkshire was played at Sheffield England's scores were 145 and 195:: Generally, the Tests in Yorkshire have not shown good batting returns for England.' : V The latest advice from England regarding the playing out of the fifth' Test is that it depends upon the result of the fourth Test. . While Australia is prepared to play out the last Test in any case, the view is held that if either side wins the Tes,t now under way at Leeds the fifth Test' will be limited to four days. If the present Test is drawn there will be no' limit to the last Test. .