LIMITLESS TESTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10855, 26 March 1929, Page 5

LIMITLESS TESTS

NOT FA YORK 1) BY CHAPMAN

FIVE DAYS LONG ENOUGH. EIGHT-BALL OVERS TOO GREAT A STRAIN. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 25. Chapman is against the excessive length of test matches. In the course of an interview, he said: “I think the time should be cut down to five davs, but in the event of a finish being possible the time might he extended to lunch on flic sxtli day. That should be ample.” He said he. had expressed the opinion before leaving Australia that limitless tests severely taxed the players’ strength, and did not produce the best cricket. The eight-hall overs was also considered by Chapman to be a strain, no 'matter wlmt the climate was. White, the vice-captain, s also opposed to long tests, but Ryder, the Australian captain, believes in playing them out.

SHORTEST TEST

PLAYED ON AIL'D HEAP.

SYDNEY, Alarch L 3

(Ju A lay 27, 1878, Australians figured in the briefest important cricket match ever played. That sensational match nearly ol years ago was played at Lord’s, when; the first Australian Eleven, ni thmr second game in England, met the flower of English cricketers, representing the AJarplebone Club, including the incomparable W. G. Grace, and defeated them in one day. The game was begun at. noon, and by 5.40 p.m. the Australians bad won with nine to spare, and i he cricket world was ringing with the names of Spoliorth (6 for 4) and Bovle (6 for 3). who had dismissed lue AI.C.C. for 33 and 10. The Australians 'had won by scoring 41 and 1.2 lor one wicket. That match of 51 years ago was played on a mud heap, such. s is practically never seen in these days. Nowadays the turf is rolled and watered aiid rolled until it is as hard as a block of granite, and coincidentally batting has developed along lines of patience until we have come to a match in which the opposing sides have not finished one innings each at tho end of four full days’ Play.

RECOMPENSED!

MAURICE LEYbAND’S LOSSES

MELBOURNE, Alarch 11

A testimonial was opened for Maurice Ley land in recognition of his scoring a century in his first Test match.

Le,vland lost a wallet containing £65 and a gold wristlet watch. When Leyland arrived at the Melbourne cricket ground he was handed a package. Un opening it he found a gold wristlet watch with a card inscribed: “Congratulations on your splendid innings.” There was no signature, hut Leyland is deeply grateful to the anonymous giver of tile gift. Instead of his first Test match having unpleasant memories, it is going to be the other wa v for lie lias had Ins watch replaced, scored a century, and the subscription is in a fair way towards topping the £OS which he' lost.

HEADS IN RHYME

“BRADMAN DOES HIS BEST.”

LONDON, March 13. The. Evening News in a cross-pag.-, caption contrasts, “Seagrave 231 miles an hour; Australia,' 20 runs an hour.”

Following across three columns a heavy blast of sub-heads bursts out thus;—

“Bov Bradman does his level best lie’s got a century in the Test;

But, oh, the way is long and slow— Australia ,still have six to go.”

-Later editions of the News carry amended headings': “Boy ..Bradman..does/-his level best * To put ‘some life-into the Test. He’s got a century, hut, oh! Woodfull and Ryder were so slow.”