BODYLINE BOWLING

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1934, Page 5

BODYLINE BOWLING

VOCE’S BACKERS Woodfull’s Warning (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, August 15. The groundsman at the Oval says that given fine weather the wicket will be as perfect as possible, but the pitch was flooded on August 12. Showers and heavy dew since caused an accumulation of moisture under the surface. Further heavy rain will make a wicket on which spin bowlers will wreak havoc.

A doctor examined Wall, and will be unable to decide until Friday, whether Wall will be fit for the Test, but it is very doubtful. Batting against Derbyshire, Hendren hit his left elbow and was taken to the hospital and X-Rayed. Later, he returned to Lords, and said his arm was all right, but he did not resume batting. LONDON, August 16. The ‘‘Daily Mail” says: ‘‘The unfortunate leg-theory controversy has taken an acute turn just before the final test. The whole question is involved in the utmost confusion. Is the leg theory fair or unfair? Is it dangerous or otherwise? Is it cricket ? Some authoritative final decision is required to lay this bogey, which still threatens to poison the sporting relations between the Motherland and Australia.’ ’

Voce is not playing against Hampshire. Upon arrival at the ground, he said he was unfit, with a badly bruised heel, besides sore shins.

Sir F S. Jackson emphatically denies that Marylebone interfered with Voce’s leg theory, and says it is absolute untrue that Marylebone Club in any way interfered in the Nottingham match. ‘‘l am not going to say we shall play Voce. The selectors will simply talk the matter over.” There is no truth in the stories about disagreement among the selectors, or that the Committee is under instructions not to select Voce, who will be considered on exactly the same footing as other players. The statement regarding Voce’s heel is interpreted in some quarters as possibly resting him in readiness for the Test. Voce says: ‘‘T hope to be fit to play by Saturday.” A. W. Carr (Notts captain) said: It appears that the selectors’ hesitation to allow' leg theory is due to the fea* that the Australians would walk off the field. While T captain Notts I shall not restrict Larwood and Voce from bowling as they think fit. I am not playing for the remainder of the season, and perhaps shall not be there in 1935, in which case Notts will probably be captained from the pavilion. It might be the best thing for cricket if Larwood, Voce and myself retire. Woodfull’s Opinion VOCE’S BOWLING INTOLERABLE. (Received August 16 at 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 16. “The Mirror” says : ‘‘The explanation of Voce’s withdrawal from Nottingham is that Woodfull was so incensed at Voce’s bowling t.at at the close of play on Monday, tne 13th, he said publicly to Bull: ‘lf they play Voce at the Oval, and be cow’ls like that, I shall lead my mer off the field.’ ”

Australians v. Army BRADMAN TCP SCORE. LONDON, August 15. The picnic game between the Australians and tire Army at Aidershot was won by Australia, on the first inn'ingsi. The Army batted first and compiled 110. The Australians replied with 7 for 194 Overnight rain affected the pitch. Ebeling. O’Reilly and Fleetwood-Smith bowled well. Even Bromley found wickets cheap. Bradman fielded in the covers, or square leg, \and seemed MtilJl tlo be ’•lmping slightly, but on leaving ‘the field, said his injured thigh stood the exercise well.

The Australians batted with a get runs or get out air Ponsford batted attractively. Bradman who had not even had net practice since his injury scored 50 in seventy minutes, then hit brilliantly, pulling and driving with great power agMnst good accurate bowling. He batted eighty-five minutes and hit 12 fours, a chanceless display. Scores:— ARMY—First Innings. Hudson, b Ebeling 4 Hamilton, b Fleetwood-Smith. . . 11 Nelson, b O’Reilly 8 Bryan, h O ’Reilly 15 Packe, b O’Reilly 0 Stephenson, b Fleetwood-Smith. .. 15 Green, c Barnett, b Bromley .. .11 Foster, st. Barnett, b Bromley .. 1 Melsome, b Bromley 9 Hughes, b Kippax 15 Winnington, not out 4 Extras 17 Total 110 Bowling: Ebeling 1 for 10. Darling 0 for -7, Fleetwood-Sm'ith 2 for 30. O’Reilly 3 for 17, Bromley 3 for 21, Kippax 1 for 8 AUSTRALIA—First Innings.

Darling, c Packe, !?• Stephenson ... 6 Bromley, e Packe. b Melsome .. 7 Ponsford, c Hudson, b Hamilton 48 O’Reilly, b Hughes .. \. .. 6 Bradman, c Melsome, b Stephenson 79 Ebeling, c Hamilton, b Nelson .. 23 Barnett, b Nelson .. .. .. .. 7 O'dfield, not out 3 Brown, not out 10 Extras 5 Total for 7 wickets .. .. 194 Bowling: Sltephenson 2 for Melsome 1 for 70, Hughes 1 for ton 1 for 42, Nelson 2