CRICKET

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 July 1934, Page 5

CRICKET

TO-MORROW’S TEST

WICKET EXPECTED TO DRY. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received Friday, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. The Australian Press Association says that with the exception of Oldfield and Grimmett, who are resting, all the Australians practised at Leeds on soft wickets. Kippax and Chipperfield enjoyed the first knock since their illness. The test wicket is expected to dry out in good time unless there is further rain. Apart from the erection of a new stand, to replace the one destroyed by fire, the dismal ground has not been improved since 1930. The outfield is rough and there is only one sight screen. > While it is generally admitted that Ebeling would be a most welcome addition to the bowling strength, there is some doubt among the team whether the selectors will risk altering the batting, though impartial observers consider Ebeling’s claim undeniable. GRIMMETT MASTERED. JARDINE’S ASSERTION. (Received Friday, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. Jardine, writing in the “Standard,” says: “It does not seem that Woodfull will have any option but to include Ebeling in view of the marked inefficiency of Grimmett and Wall at Manchester. If only England could master O’Reily, as they have done Grimmett, the final deciding test at the Oval need have no terrors for England.” TEST WEATHER FORECAST. “OCCASIONAL RAIN.” (Received Friday, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, Thursday. The Test weather forecast is for cloudy weather, with occasional rain, especially in the afternoon.

NOTES. (By “The Bowler.”) AUSTRALIANS v. ENGLAND. To-day the Australians commence the fourth Test against England, at Leeds. Each team has won a game, Australia the first Test, England the second Test, while%the third Test was drawn. If England win the fourth Test they retain the “ashes,” as Australia could only tie with them if they won the fifth Test, but in this class of competition the holders must be beaten. If, however, Australia wins the fourth Test, England might win the last Test, and consequently it would be a tie, the “ashes” remaining in England. On the 1930 tour the fourth Test match was drawn, rain interfering with the play. The Australians, in their only innings, compiled 345 runs—Ponsford 83, Woodfull 54, Kippax 51, and Grimmett 50, being the chief contributors. England replied with 251 for 8 wickets, Sutcliffe being top scorer with 74 runs.

McCabe came out'with the best bowling analysis, securing four wickets for 41 runs.

Grimmett’s experience in this match was curious, for he did not take a wicket.