FOURTH TEST MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19390, 27 July 1926, Page 9

FOURTH TEST MATCH.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA. VISITORS 29 FOR ONE. BARDSLEY OUT FOR 15. CARR UNABLE TO PLAY. lIOBBS LEADS ENGLISHMEN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 1.5 a.m.) Reiser. LONDON. July 26. The fourth test- cricket match, England v. Australia, was resumed this morning at the Old Trafford ground, Manchester. When the game was abandoned on Saturday owing to rain the visitors, in their first innings, had made six runs for no wickets (Woodfull, not out, 5; and Bardsley, not out. 0). Intermittent rain fell yesterday, but the glass began to rise in the evening, giving promise of fine weather for the resumption of the match to-day. The weather at an early hour this morning was warm, but there was no sun and the clouds were threatening. The wicket was soft. The commencement of play was delayed until 11.30 a.m., when bright sunshine prevailed. Carr is suffering from toniilitis and is confined to his bed. As therefore he could not play to-day, Hobbs led the English team on to the field. Chapman is fielding in place of Carr. Bardsley had made 15 runs when he w;'s caught by Tyldesley qff Stevens. The score is now 29 for one wicket. Details are:— AUSTRALIA,—First Innings. Bardsley, c Tyldesley, b .. 15 Woodfull, not out .. .. ..13 Extras .. ... 1 Total for one wicket .. .. 29 The selection of Hobbs to lead th English eleven in place of Carr marks unique departure in English cricket. Never before has a professional captained. ii test team, and the choice of England's greatest batsman for this position is a well-deserved tribute to a fine player. This is one more indication that the barriers"which have separated amateurs and professionals in England for so many years are swiftly disappearing. For the first time this season both "gentleman" and "player" used the same gate, and now comes the selection of the most popular professional England has ever had to lead the side against the Australians. SATURDAY'S INCIDENTS SEVEN MINUTES OF PLAY. TIME LIMIT CONTROVERSY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. CRecd' 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. Rain fell at Manchester throughout the luncheon hour on Saturday but a drying wind and the copious use of sawdust permitted the test match to be commenced at 2.42 p.m. The day's cricket consisted of 10 balls and six runs in seven minutes. Then the torrent came and there was a scamper homewards. Even the seven minutes produced a thrill. Tate's first ball was lifted by Woodfuil, who hacl been promoted. to No. 1 batsman. It shot high and clear of Sutcliffe and Hendren in the slips for a streaky four. Tate was much surprised. Bardsley met Tate's first ball, which was kneehigh, with his pads. The umpire shook his head to the cry of " leg-before.". The inclusion of Tyldesley and Stevens in the English team has strengthened the general impression that England is playing for safety with a view to making a supreme effort in the final test match at the Oval' on August 14. But about this there are portents of an ugly controversy.

The Australians contend that* they never intended that the last game should last longer than five days, whereas the English view is that it must be played to a finish.

The manager of the Australian team, Mr. Sydney Smith, speaking at a dinner given to the visitors at Manchester said he hoped that when the Australians came to England in 1930 there would be no more three days test matches. He said the laws of cricket did not need to be altered. What was wanted was better bowlers, and they were not going to find them by tampering with the laws. The English captain, Carr, remarked that the weather had spoiled the first test match, Bardsley had spoiled the second, and the man who had won the toss had spoiled the third. He said the anticipated the possibility of a six days' match at the Oval and intimated that he favoured playing all the games to a finish.