IRRITATING DELAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 4

IRRITATING DELAY

AUSTRALIANS’ FIRST MATCH COLLINS LONGSTOR SUNSHINE BUT RAIN CONTINUES By Telegraph.—Press Aseu. —Cop.viigfif. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 2S. The opening match of the Australian Eleven’s tour, against a Minor Counties’ team, which was fixed to start at Maidenhead to-day, was interrupted byrain which commenced overnight and fell all this morning. The wicket was sodden, and after examination it was decided not to play during the day. The match, which was to be a two days’ fixture, doeß not count in tho averages. There was great disappointment, aa notwithstanding the weather conditions, many hundreds gathered'at the ground from London and other parts of tho country, while correspondents from all parts were also present. Tho ground will require at least °4 hours’ absence of rain to render it playable. DEPRESSING SCENES There could not have been a mbrO depressing opening of a cricket tour than that presented by the middayscene at Holyport. Budding trees incessantly dripped upon those sheltering, and everybody wore an overcoat. Even the wicket, which was covered, Was typical of the country improvisation of the old forms of glass seed frames, tarpaulins being used. It was in fairly good condition, and would have been playable, but the outfield was very spongy, and there was no foothold for the fieldsmen. Collins surveying the scene, said: “It is all very nice, but, oh, for some Australian sunshine.” LEICESTER TEAM CHOSEN The team to represent Leicestershire against the Australians on Saturday will be as follows:—Major G. H. S. Eowke, A. T. Sharp, C. H. Taylor, G. Geary, W. E. Astill, A Skelding, T. E. Sidweil, L. G. Berry, F. Bale, A. Shipman, and another to be chosen op Saturday. Reuter’s Telegram. It has been definitely decided that the final fixture of the Australians’ tour will be a one-day match against G Palmer’s team at Carlisle on September 16th. MATCH BEGUNAT LAST COLL P’S AND MACARTNEY OUT TWO WICKETS FOR 61. (Received April 30. 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 29. Collins won the toss, and decided to lint. Play started at 11.25, on a heavy wicket. The bowlers used sawdust from the start. Falcon opened with a maiden to Collins. Both batsmen played carefully. Bardslev scored the first rnn of the tour, off Meyer. With the score at 28 Collins misjudged a leg drive, and was caught at mid-off. AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Edwards, b Hetherton XU Bardaloy, in 23 Macartney, Ibw, b Hazelton 18

Total for two wickets