England’s Poor Start

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1939, Page 5

England’s Poor Start

(Received noon). JOHANNESBURG. February 20. Owing to the wicket being sodden with rain, there was no play before lunch today in the fourth cricket match between England and South Africa. When stumps were drawn on Saturday, Van der Byl (2) and Melville (9) had played out time, and South Africa had 11 runs on the board without loss. England’s first innings realised only 215. Resuming this afternoon, the African opening batsmen were steadily aggressive. Verity and Wilkinson sending down many loose balls. Melvin (captain) was eventually caught in the slips from an outswinger. Van der Byl was bowled immediately afterwards, the two wickets falling at 108. Mitchell and Rowan were missed early; they added 100 runs in 89 minutes. On Mitchell being caught behind, Nourse assisted Rowan to carry the

total to 249, leaving South Africa in a strong position, as seven wickets are still standing. Scores. — • ENGLAND. First Innings 215 SOUTH AFRICA. First Innings. Van der Byl, b Goddard 31 Melville, c Verity, b Wilkinson .. 67 Rowan, not out 53 Mitchell, c and b Fames ........ 63 Nourse, not out ' 20 Extras 15 Total for three wickets 249 Bowling: Fames took one wicket for 41 runs; Wilkinson, one for 45; Goddard, one for 63; Hammond, none for three; Edrich, none for 11; Verity, none for 71. v