AUSTRALIANS v. ESSEX

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1934, Page 7

AUSTRALIANS v. ESSEX

DAY OF DULL PLAY “LEG BEFORE" DISMISSALS [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] (Rec. May 17, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. The weather was fine after rain at the commencement of the Essex match at the picturesque Chelmsford ground. The Australians had not previously played at Chelmsford, which was betlagged in honour of the visit. Essex won the toss and batted. Chipperfield made his first English

appearance. Bromley returned and Wall rested. Bradman was omitted. Ebeling and McCabe were able to make the ball kick. Pope and Cutmore scored thirty-five in the first hour’s play. Despite the shortness of boundaries batsmen were rarely able to get Grimmett and O’Reilly away. The latter trapped Cutmore leg before with a. faster ball, then Pearce, the captain, against whom O’Reilly had previously appealed twice in succession, fell on the third appeal just before lunch. The total was then 2 for 54. The game was not resumed until 3.20, owing to rain. The ball was greasy but with the wicket showing signs of roguery, Grimmett and O’Reilly puzzled Pope and O’Connor. Both were eventually leg before. The victims’ first four wickets had then fallen to leg decisions.

Nichols and Taylor, though unsafe scored steadily. This dull partnership ended at 130 when McCabe in the slips snapped up Taylor off Ebeling, whose pace was aided by the sloping pitch. Eastman broke the monotony, driving Grimmett and pulling O’Reilly for a four and six respectively. The total 150 appeared after 205 minutes’ play, after which scoring became much brighter, Nichols driving well. The pair added fifty when Eastman attempting a big hit skied an easy catch close to the wicket. After 200 was recorded in 235 minutes, H. Smith became the fifth leg-before victim. Nichols meanwhile was driving with much greater certainty. He hit out as

the tailenders arrived, and reached fifty in 130 minutes. O’Reilly ended the miserable innings five minutes before stumps were drawn. Scores: —

ESSEX—First Innings. Cutmore, 1.b.w., b. O’Reilly .. 21 Pope, 1.b.w., b Grimmett, . . 29 Pearce, 1.b.w., b. O’Reilly .. 4 O’Connor, 1.b.w., b Grimmett . . 21 Taylor, c McCabe, b Ebeling 27 Nichols, not out .. .. 62 Eastman, c Bromley, b O’Reilly 26 P. Smith b. Grimmett .. 1 H. Smith, 1.b.w., b. O’Reillv . . 6 Sheffield, b O’Reilly ' 1 Fames, b O’Reilly .. .. 1 Extras . . . . 21 Total 220 Bowling: Grimmett 3 for 80, O’Reilly 6 for 79, Ebeling 1 for 22, McCabe 0 for 3, Chipperfield 0 for 4, Bromley 0 for 11. WYATT AND CHAPMAN.

LONDON, May 16. The Australian Press Association comments as follows: — If the Marylebone match threw but little light on the composition of the Australian test team, it has made Wyatt's position as Sutcliffe's opening partner certain. It has also rendered a stronger tip for the captaincy. It is true that the match deprived Chapman of scope for demonstrating his qualities of leadership, inasmuch as that the greatest genius could have done little with such an unbalanced team; but his batting indicated that Chapman has not. sufficiently recovered form to warrant, his inclusion.

“PROFESS I ONA LS ’ GATE. ’ ’ I,ON DON, May 15. The “Yorkshire Observer” says: — The Marylebone match exposed a remnant of snobbery, whereby great cricketers like Hobbs and Hendren are made to sneak round a corner gate. The North of England abolished such distinctions years ago, and it is hoped that Lord’s will change for the Test.