TOUR COMMENCED

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1934, Page 5

TOUR COMMENCED

BRADMAN 112 N.O.

WORCESTER ALL OUT FOR 112.

(United Press Association— By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 10.12 a.m.) LONDON, May 2

A .perfect example of a benign English spring day greeted the Australians for the opening match of the tour. The wicket .appeared true and easy, hut the outfield was much faster than normally .at the beginning of the season. The Australian team against Woi> ster will he.—Woodful!, Ponsford, Bradman, Kippax, McCabe, O’Reilly, Bromley, Ebelipg, Grimmett, Oldfield and Wall.

Worcester in their first innings scored 112 (Walters 32). Grimmett took 5 for 50.

Australia in their first innings have lost 3 for 199 (Woodfull 48, Bradman not out 112). Stumps were then drawn. Bradman dealt out punishment to all howlers, and reached his hundred i n even time. Once settled down he sighted the hall perfectly, and placed it at will.

“BEWARE OF ENGLISH WICKETS”

ENGLISH BOWLERS PROPHECY

LONDON, April 30

“Nobody can predict the weather | but if present indications bear out the 11 belief that last summer will be reI peated this year then beware of our | wickets” said the ' Middlesex fast ; bowler, Durston, to-day. j Another dry summer will probably ; mean crumbling wickets, be explained. | England’s young grass will not grow ! after a dry summer and a dry winter , unless it gets plenty of rain, and the old grass cannot stand up to the strain of four-day matches. “I belieye that, if the summer is dry, the wicket will certainly begin to crumble early on the third day, becoming a paradise for both fast and spin bowlers. The side winning the toss should have a commanding advantage, and I. believe that, if the matches were all played out, the winner of the toss would win the match. As it is, I believe that the first four matches will i drawn, the side batting first needing j only 300 runs to ensure it will not j be defeated. j “Apart from the old tried profps- ;! s ion a. Is, I think that few are likely to j be picked to play for England. I am | doubtful whether Larwood’s foot will istand up to; the strain. I think that j Peebles will just miss selection. Barjliett h «s little chance, but the amateur j Robins should be a success. Wyatt l and Chapman are the only choices’for captain, despite Valentine’s claims.”