A DISMAL GROUND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 197, 20 July 1934, Page 7

A DISMAL GROUND

PRACTICE AT LEEDS. ERELING’S INCLUSION URGED. DRY WICKET ANTICIPATED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received July 20, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, July 19. The Australian Press Association says that, with the exception of Oldfield and Grimmett, who are resting, all the Australians practised at Leeds on soft wickets. Kippax and Chipperfield enjoyed their first knock since tlieir illness.

The Test wicket is expected to dry out in good time, unless there is further rain.

Apart from tho erection of a new stand to replace the on© destroyed by fire, the dismal ground has not improved since 1930. The outfield is rough and there is only one sight screen. The groundsman is non-committal regarding the effect of Wednesday’s rainstorm, which partly flooded the Test pitch. The surface afterward proved slightly yielding, but an inch below was still as hard as iron.

While it is generally admitted that Ebeling would be a most welcome addition to the bowling strength, there is some doubt among the team as to whether the selectors will risk altering the batting, though impartial observers consider Ebeling’s claim undeniable. D. R. Jardine, writing in the Evening Standard, says: “It does not seem that Woodfull will have any option but to include Ebeling in view of the marked inefficiency of Grimmett and Wall at Manchester. If only England could master O’Reilly as they have done Grimmett the final deciding Test at tlie Oval need have no terrors for England.”

The Australian Press Association says that as it is one of the few occasions of the tour when the whole sixteen are fit, the Australians are anticipating the Test in good spirits. O’Reilly is in the pink of condition. Kippax, Fleetwood-Smith and Barnett are certain to be omitted. Bromley will probably be twelfth man.