CRICKET TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23025, 30 April 1938, Page 15

CRICKET TOUR

SUBSTITUTE REFUSED THE INJURED BATSMAN , ENOUGH PLAYERS ALREADY BOARD OF CONTROL'S VIEW By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received April 29, 10.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 29 It was officially announced to-day that the Australian Cricket Board of Control has refused the request for a substitute player for S. G. Barnes. The board takes the view that the team of 16 players already in England allows for an emergency such as has arisen< Barnes, who is regarded as one of the most promising of Australia's younger batsmen, fell during the voyage to England aboard the Orama aud fractured his left wrist. Ifc is not expected. that he will be able to play for eight weeks, and thus will miss the first two tests. The manager of the team, Mr. W. H". Jeanes, and the captain, D. G. Bradman, cabled the Board of Control this week asking that a substitute for Barnes should be sent in view of the possibility of his being disabled even longer than is expected.

FIRST MATCH TO-DAY WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES POOR RECORD LAST SEASON The Australian cricket team will commence its English tour to-day with a three-day match against Worcestershire and keen interest will centre in the game. Worcestershire did not fulfil expectations in county cricket last season and dropped three places, finishing 15th out of 17 teams. It played 30 games, won eight, lost 17. outright and five on the first innings. Worcestershire's first meeting with the Australians took place in 1902, the year Victor Trumper astounded everyone by his dazzling batting. Worcestershire opened with a total of 202, which remains as the highest score the county has made against the Australians, although every subsequent team, excepting that of 1921, has been encountered. The Australians have won five matches against the county and two have been drawn. The victories have been by an innings and 297 runs; innings and 112 runs; and 176, 174 and 165 runs. Bradman is the only Australian to make two double centuries against Worcestershire. These he compiled in his first match in 1930 (236), and in the first in 1934 (206). His 236 is the highest score, by an Australian in his first match in England. No batsman has made a century for Worcestershire against the Australians. The highest innings is 62 by M. K Foster in 1926. The county batsmen last season included R. C. M. Kimpton. the Victorian, who has made a fine reputation in University cricket. It has been suggested in England that Kimpton should be invited to join the Australian team as a substitute for Barnes.