WET CRICKET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 June 1926, Page 9

WET CRICKET

This was at Ley ton, where Essex net Vorkshjre, At once the champions ;ave proof of their wonderful allround itrength. They batted first on a rainIrenched pitch', and quickly lost both Sutcliffe and Holmes. But, as generally •appetts, some one rose to the occasion in great style. On this occasion it was the veteran Rhodes, who gained the honour of making the first century of Hie season. In the end Yorkshire scored 359. and this sufficed to give them \ win by ten 'wickets. Hie Australians opened, their tour at Leicester, and it was a groat misfortune that rain prevented a ball being rent down on the first day. "Horseshoe" Collins as everyone calls Hie Australian captain, won the toss, as be did in the two-days match at Maidenhead, and. (hough (he wicket was dead, he rightly chose to bat. The conditions were all against the tourists and their hatting was very cautious. Two hours were taken to make the first eightv runs. Collins scored 43 and Bard«ley 33. It was not until Ponsford and Gregory became associated that there was any sparkle about the batting. Gregoiy at once began to attack the bowling", and. taking every risk, he obtained inns at a fine "rate. With the last hit of the dav he reached the boundary, and these four runs brought his score to a hundred. The Australians continued their innings on the third day, and when Hie lust wicket fell their total was 736. Skelding bowled very well for the county, taking live wickets.for 97... It wa« then a nucstion whether the tourists rr/dd get their opponents out twice in a day- Macartney both kept a fine length and made the ball turn, and he had most of the home Batsmen in difficulties. Altogether he captured five wickets, and Leicestershire were all out for 96. But that was practically the end of the match, and it was an inevitable draw. Of course, the Australians would have won had it not been played to a, definite finish. The matches between Surrey and Hampshire, and Lancashire aiid Warwickshire, were also drawn, Hobhs was unable to play at the Oval, owing to a chill, and in his absence Sandham was the chief Surrey batsman. To both innings he played in most pleasing style.