CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 230, 29 September 1931, Page 5

CRICKET

THIRD TEST FIASCO MANCHESTER’S REPUTATION. Writing on August 13 regarding rhe' third cricket test niatcri, New Zealand v. England, a Loudon correspondent says:— Manchester has not only a very unfortunate reputation in regard to the weather, but it insists on maintaining it. During the past thirty years, every test match which has beei played there has been interrupted by rain to some extent, and the last, the third and final trial for the New Zealanders, was almost entirely washed out. Play, in fact, did not begin until three o’clock on the last day, and, of course, there was no possibility of any decision being reached. As a matter of fact, it did not seem as if T. C. Lowry, the New Zealand captain, took the play very seriously, for after winning the toss he sent England in to bat, though the dead turf was bound to play easily and give no assistance to the bowlers. 1

cannot imagine what led him to make this decision. One would have thought his side would have been better pleased to bat than go out and chive tho ball to no purpose. 1 do not know whether it was with the idea of judging him as a batsman to open the innings with Sutcliffe, but Paynter was sent in first. Unfortunately, he had nu time to show his capabilities, for when he had scored three he was caught behind tho wicket. The one notable feature of the play was that Sutcliffe made still another century being 109 not out when stumps were drawn. He had a profitable partnership with K. 8. Duleepsinhji, who scored 63, and after Hammond had slashed out and made 16, tho Yorkshireman and D. R. Jardine played out time. From every point of view it was a most disappointing match. Financially, the Nc*w Zealanders’ tour has not been a succeee, and it was hoped that it would provide them with at least £2OOO.