NO PLAY IN TEST.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 194, 17 August 1931, Page 1

NO PLAY IN TEST.

Rain Turns Ground Into Quagmjre. “ENGLAND SHOULD WIN.” (Special to Press Association.) MANCHESTER, August 15. There was no play to-day in the third test match between England and New Zealand. The rain ceased during the night and the morning was fine. However, the ground was almost a quagmire as a result of almost twentyfour hours’ continual rain. If the wicket had been covered it might have been fit for play. In the afternoon the out-field showed patches of stained grass where groundsmen had swept away pools of surface water. The groundsmen worked throughout the morning in an effort to get the ground fit for play, but two showers early in the afternoon practically undid all their work. Shortly after lunch the umpires decided that play would be abandoned for the day. The New Zealanders were keenly disappointed, but realised that under the conditions ruling at Old Trafford play was almost impossible. The New Zealand team will not be selected until Monday morning. They will be entertained to-morrow at Sir Edwin Stockton’s country house. London critics generally consider that England should -win. They are encouraged by the bowling successes in county matches yesterday of Larwood, Verity, Brown and Hammond. They admit that Dempster will make a great improvement in the New Zealand batting. Arrangements have been made for Mr Neville Carodus to broadcast a description of the match each evening.

INTERFERENCE BY RAIN.

Australians had Three Tests Interrupted. Bad weather in Manchester has held uo the third test match, and caused the New Zealanders to be keenly disappointed. It will be recalled that rain and flooded pitches caused some interference to the Australian’s programme in 1930. Their worst experience was at Leeds, in the third test. Australia in their first innings put on 566 (Bradman 334), to which England replied with 391 and 95 for three wickets. On the third day the ground was soaked with heavy overnight rain, and on the fourth day the light was tricky. The game resulted unsatisfactorily in a draw. The Australians had more bad luck in the fourth test, played at Manchester. The match was originally intended to last four days, but on the third and fourth days rain completely stopped play. As a result, each side played only one innings and the game was drawn, with the scores: Australia 345, and. England 251 for nine wickets. The first test, played at Nottingham, was also interfered with by bad weather. On the second day Australia had to bat on a pitch made difficult by hot sunshine following on heavy rain during the night and early morning. This match was won by England. After all these tribulations, the Australians won the rubber and carried off the coveted Ashes.