Sepulchral Cricket At Notts

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1938, Page 7

Sepulchral Cricket At Notts

(Received 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 15

The match between the Australian cricketers and Nottinghamshire was commenced today in cold and showery' weather, the play being interrupted by rain. The attendance was less than 3000. The visitors who won the toss and batted first made 243 and the county replied with four runs for one wicket.

It was a sepulchral day s cricket, relieved at intervals by occasional exciting events. It was impossible to generate enthusiasm with damp, black clouds hanging over the ground all day. There was a series of stoppages owing to poor light. Voce, Unfit, Troubles Batsmen. Voce, who was not fit, was unable to bowl at top speed or for prolonged spells. His success in the circumstances was a tribute to his skill and versatility. It was while Voce and Jepson were absent from the bowling crease that Australia, which was always fighting for runs, assumed command long enough to avoid disaster. Harris, bowling off spinners with clever changes of length and flight, proved successful, but the form of most of the batsmen was so poor that the visitors must be thankful they did not have to face the county’s full strength. Groping In The Gloom, An aggressive display by O’Reilly got Australia out of serious trouble. Bradman and Barnes were the only batsmen who had eyes capable of penetrating the gloom and of fighting the ball. Bradman was cool and masterful, and seemed likely to save the side unaided, but when he went out Barnes carried the heavy responsibility. Barnes’s assurance was in contrast to the uncertain display of Badcock, whose test place he threatens. The combination of the weather and the public indifference appeared to depress the Australians. Details of the scores are as follows; — AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Brown, c Marshall, b Voce .... 4 Badcock, c Wheat, b Jepson .... 6 Bradman, Ibw., b Jepson 56 Hassett, Ibw., b Voce 2 Barnes, Ibw., b Harris 58 Chipperfield, b Jepson 4 Barnett, b Harris 3 Waite, c Wheat, b Harris 25 Ward, not out . . 29 O’Reilly, Ibw., b Voce 33 Fleetwood Smith, c Jepson, b Harris 8 Extras 15 Total 243 Bowling:—Voce tooic three wickets for '72 runs; Jepson, three for 38; Harris, four for 60; Gunn, none for 38; Marshall, none for 20. NOTTS. First Innings. Keeton, b Waite 3 Harris, not out 1 Total (.for one wicket) 4