THE SECOND STRIKE.

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 9

THE SECOND STRIKE.

I This Time A Rout. ■ Being over the number behind to save a follow-on, the New South Wales captain sent our boys m again. As the wicket was now easy it was hoped that a good stand would be made and the truo form of some of the batsmen would be shown, but, notwithstanding Hiddleston and Baker having 40 up for the first wicket, the side was all out for the miserable total of 79 runs. When the scores of Hiddleston, Baker and Kortlang (who were responsible for 23, 13 and 14 respectively) are taken, together with 14 extras, it will be found that eight men made only 15 runs between them. Five batsmen failed to score m the first Innings and five m the second. As the wicket was much faster Macartney gave Everett a chance. This bowler has Improved a hundred per cent, on the form shown by him against Wellington, bowling very few loose ones and keeping a much better length; but when Mailey waa' given the bail at the other end it was soon apparent the end was , not going to bo long m coming. Not. one of our batsmen wub able to play the "googly" bowler, who had them all at sea; and what made him worse was the help he received from the fast bowler at the other end. There is no doubt when Mulley Is on the job he Is ono of the most difficult bowlers batsmen can go up against/. His average of 5 wickets for 20 was an exceptionally good ono, nnd Everett, who secured 4 for 33, bowled particularly well. Our overwhelming defeat la discouraging, but so long as our batsmen go to tho wickets to play the bowler's reputation instead of the ball he sends down, ho long will we fall to win matches or make a decent showing. lam not saying that the bowling of the New South Wales team was not good. It wasl The best bowling seen on the Basin Reserve for years! Still, no bowlerß should be able to get a side such as ours out twice ln tho afternoon for such miserable scores, especially when batsmen <tell you there was nothing seriously wrong with the wicket. One. of course, has to bear In mind, that Macartney. Mailey and Hendry have got some of the best batting sides m the world out for small, scores. Still. lam afraid that some i of our batsmen were out before they left the pavilion judging by the strokes they made.