CRICKET TEST

3J.C.C. V. NEW ZEALAND " HOME TEAM BATTING FINE RECOVERY MADE 1 362 FOR NINE WICKETS The third cricket test match between M.C.C. and New Zealand was commenced at Eden Park yesterday under ideal conditions, the home side batting first and compiling 362 for nine wickets. After a disastrous start, three wickets being lost for 34 runs, the home team made a splendid recovery. A feature of the morning's play v as the remarkable accuracy of the visiting bowlers. They tied the New Zealand batsmen to a purely defensive game. Kerr and Vivian appeared likely to save the situation, until the latter, when showing freedom, was nicely caught behind the wickets. . '* Kerr and /Wallace held out the attack until the luncheon adjournment, when, after 90 minutes' play, the total vas 62 for three wickets. Soon after the resumption Wallace fell leg-before early. Kerr was dismissed shortly afterwards. Then Cromb and Elmes were associated in a very useful sixth-wicket partnership, which yielded 82 runs. The most prolific partnership of the innings followed, when Elmes and Bland* ford added 103 for the seventh wicket. These batsmen adopted aggressive tactics to advantage. Griffiths hit the first six of the match with a, fine straight drive off Langridge. Cowie, the last man in, greatly pleased the spectators by hitting Baxter for three fours and a brace in one over just before stumps. Bowling Impresses An impressive bowling performance was put up by Baxter, who at one stage had two wickets for five runs. He finished with three for S3. Sims took four wickets for 92 runs. Especially in the morning tbe prir were rery dangerous. Winning the toss the New Zealand - captain sent Moloney and Kerr to the batting crease. There was a disastrous start, when Baxter, with his third ball, clean bowled Moloney. Whitelaw joined Kerr, the latter being fortunate when Griffith failed to accept a chance behind the wickets off Parks. In Baxter's next over he completely heat Whitelaw. B—2—2. Baxter was bowling brilliantly, making the ball swing and whip off the fast wicket. Vivian survived an appeal for leg-before off Baxter's bowling, the Aucklander being uncomfortable in the first over he received from the fast bowler. Kerr and Vivian inspired. more confidence after they had managed to secure a sight of the ball, the first half-hour realising 20 runs. Vivian was forceful facing Baxter, but a number of good shots were cut off by an alert field. One splendid shot through the covers gave the fields- / men no chance, however, the ball racing to the fence to give Vivian a lead over Kerr. Vivian Dismissed Sims took over from Baxter and his first ball, rising sharply off the wicket, was snicked by Vivian. Griffith juggled with the ball, but finally held it. 34 —3 —17. Consistent bowling by Sims and Parks had Wallace and Kerr on the defensive, ' fewer'" * than 10- runs resulting for half an hour's play. Wallace was unable to penetrate the field with several forcing shots, and he was at the wicket for 22 minutes before opening his score. The first 50 was raised after 85 minutes. The score at the luncheon adjournment was 62 for three wickets, Kerr being 22 and Wallace 17. , The New Zealand batsmen watched Baxter and Langridge very closely on resuming and the scoring was slow. Kerr hit one from Baxter just over Barber's head at short square-leg. Both batsmen swung Sims hard to the leg boundarv, when he replaced Baxter, but the bowler had his revenge when he found Wallace with his leg in front. 89—4—27. _ . ~ Cromb partnered Kerr and a dull period ensued. The 100 was hoisted after 142 minutes. In endeavouring to late-cut one from Langridge, Kerr broke his wicket with his bat. He had batted 147 minutes.' 108—5 —39. Cromb was using his judgment in picking the right ball to hit, and he soon ran into his twenties. Elmes, the newcomer, was not so confident, playing several faulty shots to both Sims and Langridge. The bowlers were trundling particularly well, Sims turning the ball appreciably. Cromb aroused - the enthusiasm of the crowd by securing his 50 in 60 minutes with three successive fours off Sims. Double Bowling Change Efolmes made a double change at 150, Parks and Human coming on. Runs continued to come at a steady pace, Cromb being the more enterprising. The score afc the afternoon tea adjournment was 200, Cromb being 74 and Elmes 31. Baxter was given the new ball on resuming, and in his first over Cromb 6nicked orie on the leg side, Griffiths taking a catch well back from the wicket. 200—€—74. The outgoing batsman had been at the crease for 95 minutes. Elmes and Blandford made a good stand, facing the swing bowlers confidently. Two powerful pulls to the fence off Parks, one of which landed just short of a six, took Elmes into the forties. He reached his half century after 86 minutes. He then took 15 runs off one of Baxter's overs, raising 250. Holmes exploited the attack well, but the batsmen were not troubled and the score progressed quickly toward 300. Blandford was giving a good exhibition, hitting powerfully when the occasion demanded. The 300 was reached after 273 minutes. There was a somewhat remarkable ending to Elmes' aggressive innings. At 99. evidently affected by the stress of the moment, he spooned the ball softly toward mid-off, where four Englishmen made a vain attempt to reach it. Off the next ball Elmes played the same weak shot, the ball going this time to Barber at short mid-on, who caught it. Elmes had batted 123 minutes and played a valuable and attractive innings. 303—7—99. Blandford lost his wicket a few minutes later, being caught at deep square-leg by Human off Sims 304—8—36. Griffiths relieved play with a fine six, while Matheson was more subdued. On reaching 17 Griffiths was caught in the outfield off Human. Cowie, after a quiet start, took 14 off one of Baxter's overs. The score at stumps was 362 for nine wickets (Cowie 20 not out, Matheson 17 not out). Following are the details:—

NEW ZEALAND. —First Innings D. A. R. Moloney, b Baxter 0 J. L. Kerr, hit wicket, b Langridge 39 P. E. Whitelaw, b Baxter . . . . 2 H. G. Vivian, c Griffith, b Siins . . 17 W. . M. Wallace, Ibw, b Sims 27 I. B. Cromb, c Griffith, b Baxter 74 C. J. Elmes, c Barber, b Sims . . 99 J. A. It. Blar.dford, c Human, b Sims 36 A. M Matheson, not out . . 18 B. Griffiths, c Mitchell-Innes, b Human 17 J. Cowie, not out 20 Extras 13 f— ■{Total fox; nin$ wickets a a * * > 362