CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 49

CRICKET.

THE SOUTH AFRICANS’ TOUR. LONDON, July 21. owi 11 u to rain the match between South Africa and Middlesex has been abandoned for the day. Nupen strained the muscles of his back when bowling _ on Saturday. It is understood that lie will be untit to play for at least- a fortnight. The provisional team for the fourth test at Manchester is: Taylor, Gommaille, Susskind, Pegler, Nourse, Deane, Catterall* Blanckenberg Carter, Dixon and Ward. „ July 22. The South Africans against Middlesex scored 139 for two wickets (Ward 44, Susskind not out 48). A heavy storm broke just after lunch, and the match was abandoned. . , . ~ The English test team against South Africa at Manchester on Juiy 26 will be chosen from Gilligan, Bryan, Sandman, Sutcliffe, Woolley, Tate, Geary, Hendren, Duckworth, R. Tyldesley, E. Tyldesley, and Roy Kilner. The chairman of the Selection Committee explains that the reason why Hobbs and liearne have been omitted is that the former has definitely declined to go to Australia and the latter is doubtful, -the committee thought that, as the rubber lias already been won, the side should consist of players likely to he chosen for the Australian tour. July 26. Rain relayed the start of the cricket match betw-een South Africa and Durham. The wicket was soaked. Durham s first innings realised 195. Carter took five wickets for = 76 and Dean three for 36. South Africa had made 25 for one wicket when stumps were drawn. July 24. South Africa’s first innings against Durham closed for 173 runs. Dobson took four wickets for 49 and Doggart three for 21. Durham, in their second innings, had scored 12 for no wickets when rain interrupted play. The match w-as drawn. Commaille made 31 and Deans 38 for South Africa. THE FOURTH TEST. LONDON, July 26. The fourth test was commenced at Manchester in dull, threatening weather, lire wicket was soft. The South Africans won the toss and decided to bat. SOUTH AFRICA. First Innings. Gommaille, lbw, b Tate 8 Ward, b Tate, ... 50 Susskind, lbw, b R. Tyldesley 6 N-ourse, b Tate 18 Taylor, not out 18 Catte-rall, not out 6 Extras 11 Four wickets for 116 Heavy rain then set in, and play was abandoned for the day. The match opened in four instalments—--45, 57, 27, and 40 minutes between half past 11 and 4 o’clock, when heavy rain finally settled matters. Afterwards the sun shone gloriously. The abandonment disturbed a section of the spectators, numbering over 1000, who inspected the pitch and then moved to the pavilion,

where Hornby and Brearley and others reasoned with them and got them to disperse. There was just 169 minutes’ play, and the South Africans’ score was a good beginning in the circumstances. The wicket was slow, but there was no drying under the sun, and the rain prevented it from becoming really difficult. In a measure, the bowlers were rather handicapped. Ward played masterly defensive cricket in spells of 45, 57, 27, and 10 minutes. Ha might have been caught when 22, but it was a hard catch. Nourse played attractive cricket, but gave a chance when he was seven. Altogether, with stoppages, there were 16 bowling spells and 67 overs. THE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. LONDON, July 19 Hobbs has expressed deep regret at liis inability to accompany tlie English team to Australia. In declining to reconsider his decision he said that health, his family, and business had to be considered. He was a notoriously bad sailor, and a winter’s rest in England would lengthen his cricket career by at least two seasons. J uly 22. The following players have been definitely selected for the Australian tour: A." E. Gilligan, Surrey, (captain). A. P. F. Chapman (Cambridge University). J. L. . Bryan (Kent). H. Sutcliffe (Yorkshire). A. Sandharn (Surrey). F. E. Woolley (Kent). E. Hendren (Middlesex). M. W. Tate (Sussex). R. Tyldesley (Lancashire). H. Strudwick (Surrey). The team when finally constituted will consist of 15 players, with Mr Toone as manager. Maim declined the invitation to captain the side owing to business considerations. The remuneration w-ill be £4OO, plus (if the tour is a financial success) a bonus, which will be awarded on the basis of merit and discipline on tlie recommendation of the captain and manager. B July 24. J. C. W. Macßryan (Somerset) has accepted an invitation to join the team for Australia. GREGORY AVAILABLE. SYDNEY, July 24. The cricketer Jack Gregory has decided to p'.ay during the coming season. He will be available against the Englishmen. THE LEADING AVERAGES. LONDON, July 22. The leading averages of the selected players are as follows: —- BATTING. Runs Average E. Hendren (Middlesex) ... 1347 64.14 H. Sutcliffe (Yorkshire)) ... 1529 61.16 A. . Sandharn (Surrey) ... 879 51.70 F. E. Woolley (Kent) ... 1082 40.07 iVL. W. Tate (Sussex) ... 786 0U.26 Chapman (Cambridge University) and a. L. Bryan (Kent) have only played a few times. Their averages are 24.2 i and 19.50 respectively. BOWLING. Wickets Average M. W. Tate (Sussex) ... 136 12.U6 It. Tyldesley (Lancashire) ... 117 13.20 A. El Gilligan (Sussex) ... 76 17.78 F. E. Woolley (Kent) ... 59 18.57 ALLOWANCE TO PLAYERS. LONDON, July 22. The members of the team visiting Australia, in addition to their sea passages, railway fares, travelling expenses, and board * and lodging, w-ill each receive for their personal expenses 30s a week while on ship-board and 40s on land. The Times expert says : “ The selectors’ chief difficulty is to find bowlers who are likely to be reasonably successful on Australian wickets. The two last players who have not vet been chosen must be bowlers. The batting selection is good, and the outfield, which was the weak spot of the 1920-21 team, ought to be superb.” The Daily Chronicle’s cricket critic says it is freely stated that Fender has not been invited t-o make the Australian tour because business prevents his acceptance. Fender himself says he has not been approached and he has never hinted that THE COUNTY COMPETITION. LONDON, July 19. Surrey made 262 (Hobbs 65, Sandharn 110) against Kent, who replied with 112 for three wickets (Seymour 61 not out) Collins took six wickets for 28. Notts made 216 against Yorkshire, 86 for three wickets (Holmes 56 not out). Macaulay took six wickets for 56. For Somerset against Sussex M‘Bryan made 118; and for Essex against Hampshire Freeman made 117 and Richardson 82. Sussex made 178 against Essex (Higgs 54). Following on they scored 112. Louden took five wickets for 41. Somerset made 174 against Yorkshire, Rhodes taking four wickets for 49. Following on they made 127, Rhodes taking five wickets for 28. Tlie Gentlemen in their second innings made 153 against the Players (Stevens 42). R. Kilner took six wickets for 20. Juiy 21. Intermittent heavy rain everywhere interfered with the county cricket. Somerset, with 321 for seven wickets declared their innings closed. Sussex have made 13 for two wickets. Kent, playing Surrey, made 149 (Seymour 68). Fender took five wickets for 35 runs. July 22. The final scores in the county cricket matches were as follow: Sussex, playing Hampshire, made 101. White took four for 29. Hampshire replied with 226 (Shirley 57). Russell took five for 35. Playing for Yorkshire, Holmes made 112.

Ireland in their first innings made 134 (Hole, five for 42) against Scotland, who replied with 178. In their second innings Ireland have made 128 for seven wickets. July 26. Hampshire, first innings 173 (Mead 69, M‘Don aid five wickets for 55), second innings 178 (Mead 60, R. Tyldesley. five tor 37), against Lancashire, first innings i 99 (Makepeace 72, E. Tyldesley 64, Brown five for 29), second innings 89 for one u iclcet. For Sussex against Warwick A. tl. Gillioan made 80 not out, M ilson not out 108. ° For Warwick Calthorp made 108 not 0U(: - For Yorkshire against Glamorgan Holmes made 118 not out. Rain interfered with play. Gilligan has announced that, acting under his doctor’s orders, he will not plaj in to-morrow’s test. He is suffering from a severe blow over the heart from a deliver by Pearson in the Gentlemen v. Players match at the Oval early m the month. POSITIONS OF TEAMS. LONDON, July 2b. The championship percentages in die county cricket matches are as follows; .Middlesex 77.14. Yorkshire 73.33 Surrev 67.69, Lancashire 66.31, Sonietset 65.29. HEAVY SCORING. LONDON, July 25. At Lord's, the Navy, first innings, made 119 (bowler seven for 22) and second innings 33 for two wickets, against riie Army, 533 for seven wickets declared (P. Williams 123, Rogers 154). NEW SOUTH WALES ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, July 26. The annual report and balance-sheet of the New South Wales Cricket Association shows a- surplus for the year of £l6 , against £9lB for the previous year, the surplus from interstate matches amounted to £4431.