THE FOURTH TEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 201, 26 July 1926, Page 8

THE FOURTH TEST

THE DAY’S PLAY. SIX RUNS IN SEVEN MINUTES. BARDSLEY TAKES NO CHANCES. [By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] Received July 26,. 10.10 a.m. LONDON, July 25. The inclusion~of Tyldesley and Stevens in .the English team has strengthened tho general impression that England is playing for safety with a view to making a supreme effort in the final game at the Oval. About this there are the portents of ail ugly controversy, the Australians contending that they never intended tlfat The game should last longer than five days, whereas the English view is that it must be played to a finish. Rain peppered down during the whole lunch time on Saturday, but the drying wind and the copious use of sawdust, with an admixture of rare optimism in the face of the lowering clouds, permitted a beginning at 2.42. Manchester, however, was not going to let Nottingham hold the record, so the day’s cricket oonsisted of tc|n balls and six runs in seven minutes. Then came the torrent and the scamper homewards. Even tho seven minutes produced a thrill. Tate’s first ball was cocked up by Woodfull, who had been promoted to number one batsman. It shot high and clear of both the amazed Sutcliffe and Hendren for a streaky four. Tate was much' surprised and struck a tragic attitude of a thwarted, villain. Bardsley was not having any more first ball calamities as at Leeds, so lie met Tate’s first ball knee high with his pads. The umpire shook his head to a ,leg-before cry. Everybody expects a sticky wicket on Monday, when the .England selectors no doubt will be stung by hornets for dropping Parker, but Kilner may do quite enough to discomfort the Australians provided the sun plays its part to-morrow. Taylor’s omission caused no surprise even in Scotland ; he is not the master of liis fate or his pathetic mistakes. —A. and N.Z. cable. MORE RAIN YESTERDAY. IMPROVEMENT TOWARDS EVENING. Recoived July 26, 1.20 p.m. LONDON, July 25. There has been intermittent rain throughout the day, but the weather was improving towards tho evening, the barometer rising quickly. Play may bo resumed at eleven o’clock tomorrow.—A. and N,Z. cable.

SECOND EDITION