PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17954, 5 December 1932, Page 5

PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY

LIGHT RAIN OVERNIGHT WICKET NOT AFFECTED BRADMAN’S FUTURE PROSPECTS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received December 5, noon./ SYDNEY, Dec. 5. Light rain iell during the night, but not enough to afiect the wicket for the continuation of the first test match today. Grimmett strrined his right side while bowling on Saturday. He had massage treatment during the week-end, and it expected to ne lit to resume to-day. A Though tfie Board of Control last night announced that reports indicate that there is every prospect that Bradman will be playing in the second* test, the Sun publishes a statement based on i ca le message allegedly sent by Warwick Armstrong to a London newspaper, to the effect that doctors’ reports render Bradman’s i ppearance in the second test, or any of the series, doubtful. Although Bradman’s health is net causing immediate anxiety, a form of anaemia is suspected, which may necessitate a rest from the strain of big cricket. Another suggestion is that Arthur Mailey should be impressed for the coming tests. Referring to the suggestion, Mailey stated: ■ T have no wish to play. Even if I did, I would not 'be eligible.”

ENGLAND OPTIMISTIC

REGAINING THE ASHES LONDON, Dec. 4. The newspapers are full of contributions by ex-members of test teams who express the opinion that England’s chances of regaining the Ashes are very bright. Tributes are paid to McCabe, Bradman, and Fingleton as likely to play the' most important part for Australia. Woolley and Hendren predict that the present M.C.C. innings will realise 600 runs, The latter regrets the omission of Ironmonger, “who may be tho world’s worst fielder, but does make you play every ball.” RECORD IN SIGHT SECOND WICKET PARTNERSHIP ■Sutcliffe and Hammond, who have already put on 140 runs for the second wicket, require only 13 more runs to break the partnership record that has stood for 39 years, W. Gunn and A. Shrewsbury having put on 152 for the second wicket at Leeds in 1893. Hammond already shares with Jardine the third wicket record of 262, made at Adelaide four years ago. If the present partnership creates a record, Hammond will be the only Englishman to figure in two partnership records. Of the Australians, however, Bradman shares the records for the third, fourth and fifth partnerships, while Clem Hill figures in two records, those for the seventh and eighth wickets, the first having been established as long ago as 1897, and the latter just 10 years later. Sutcliffe’s present century is his eighth in test matches, a performance that has only been beaten by J. B. Hobbs, who has no fewer than 12 threefigure innings to his credit. The next best performances are those of Hammond, F. S. Jackson and A. C. MacLaren, with five centuries each. Among the Australians, the honors are shared by Bradman Woodfull and V. T. Trumper, each of whom has made six centuries against the Englishmen. Hammond’s performance on Saturday recalls his brilliant batting at Sydney when the English team were last in Australia. In the first test match the Gloucestershire man scored 251, and went on to make 200 at Melbourne, and 119 and 117 in the one match at Adelaide, his aggregate for the test rubber being 905, a figure that has been beaten only by Bradman. In the 1930 series, Hammond scored 113 at Leeds. Sutcliffe’s centuries in the tests comprise 115 at Sydney'in 1924-25, 176 and 127 at Melbourne, 143 at Melbourne; 161 at the Oval in 1926; 135 at Melbourne in 1928-29; and 161 at the Oval in 1930. and Sutcliffe are the only Englishmen who have made two centuries in a test match.