ABANDONED

Southland Times, Issue 19897, 16 June 1926, Page 5

ABANDONED

FIRST TEST RAIN CONTINUES THROUGHOUT MORNING AUSTRALIANS’ ILL LUCK. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 1.5 a.m.) London, June 15. It is still raining and the test has been abandoned. Hopes when the rain ceased yesterday evening that there might possibly be a few hours’ play to-day were dashed when the rain re-started in the early hours and continued throughout the morning, showing no signs of clearing. As indicative of the ill-luck dogging the Australians it may be stated that of 211 hours allocated to cricket hitherto, play occurred only during 134 hours. The ground presented a desolate appearance at the hour appointed for the resumption. There were exactly 24 spectators apart from officials, and the ground was not even fit for football let alone cricket. The match was abandoned at 11.25, and thus ranks with the test at Lords in 1902 and the famous test at Manchester in 1890 when not a ball was bowled- —Reuter. THE TIME LIMIT. PROPOSAL BY CLEM HILL. FIVE TESTS PLAYED TO A FINISH. London, June 14. The recurrence of the washout at Nottingham has stiffened opinion in favour of allotting more time to test matches. MacLaren said that the rain had sounded the death knell of the three-day tests. Jessop said it was about time the counties were taught to think imperially and withdraw their objection to releasing men to play matches to a finish. It is understood that there is a possibility of influential circles taking up the scheme proposed by Clem Hill, who says that he prefers five tests played to a finish, and thinks that the suggestion brought before the Imperial Conference, of five tests each occupying four days, is little better than the present arrangement, which merely provides for one serious game and four games of bat and ball for the sake of a gate. Hill says he understands that the counties oppose five tests played to a finish, as it is equivalent to five county players being unavailable for 10 county matches. Therefore, the most practicable plan would be to play three matches, leaving a week for each. “I hoisted the Australians with their own petard,” said Carr, describing the test toss, “for I used an Australian penny, the gift of a South African friend. It was hard luck that our first slice of luck should be ruined by typically English weather, but I shall use that penny for all the tests which I may captain.”—A. and N.Z. NO PLAY ON MONDAY. London, June 14. There was no play in the test cricket match owing to rain.—Reuter. HEAVY RAIN CONTINUES. London, June 14. Heavy rain continued till one o’clock and then, after a short spell, a heavy drizzle set in, the idea of play being abandoned without further inspection of the wicket and outfield.—Reuter. “THE DREARIEST PLACE IN ENGLAND.” London, June 14. Trent Bridge is the dreariest place in England to-day. Rain has fallen incessantly and all interest in the first Test has gone definitely. The weather, therefore, has provided the strongest argument for revision of the test programme. Newspapers deplore the unfortunate circumstances, thereby focussing attention most strongly on the necessity for affording some guarantee that future tests will be conclusive.— Reuter. FUTURE TESTS. (Rec. 1.25 a.m.) London, June 15. The Sketch’s Nottingham correspondent says that the opinion is everywhere hardening in favour of playing out tests. It is understood that it is practically decided that at least a week should be allotted for each match in 1930. EFFECT OF TESTS. (Rec. 8.35 p.m.) London, June 14. Mr Sydney Smith, in an interview, said: “Those favouring longer tests must induce the counties to widen their vision. These tests mean more to the Empire than the mere playing of cricket. I am sure that if a referendum of cricket-lovers was taken there would be an overwhelming vote for finality. As things stand now it is possible that four games may be drawn all in favour of one side, yet the other, the weaker, might win out if they played the fifth.” Gilligan, interviewed, said: “It is absurd to bring visitors thousands of miles for an experience like this. Even this time it would be possible to finish if there were four days.” Warner, speaking as an individual, and in no way as chairman of the Selection Committee, favoured an extension of the time to four days with a limit on that period. Collins declined to commit himself, but it is known that the visitors already have submitted arguments for playing the tests to a finish. Another suggestion Is that the tests be limited to three matches, played to a finish. Opinion is expressed in some quarters that the playing out of matches will not induce stonewall tactics. The teams would play for a win, whereas the present limit is conducive to playing for a draw.—A. and N.Z. RECEPTION TO TEAMS. ' ‘TOSS FOR IT.” London, June 15. Speaking at a reception to the teams in the Empire Theatre at Nottingham, Carr said that he regretted the disappointment over the test. A voice interjected: Toss for it. Collins jocularly challenged Carr to a swimming match if there was no play tomorrow.—Reuter.