THE CRICKET FIELD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 98, 6 February 1936, Page 3

THE CRICKET FIELD

SECOND TEST WITH M.C.C. NEW ZEALAND’S PERFORMANCE. & (By “Mid-On”). New Zealand cricket, which is being regarded this season in terms of what it is likely tp achieve in the forthcoming- tour of England, received a severe setback when the first match against E. It. T. Holmes’s M.C.C. touring team was played at Dunedin, only rain saving the Dominion’s elect from something worse than a draw in which all the honours were taken by the tourists. In batting, bowling, and fielding New Zealand were a bad second and doubts which had been expressed as to the wisdom of the selection proved more than well-founded. Something vastly better was looked for and there was a large body of opinion which held that New Zealand had the material necessary to make a much improved showing. This view also was substantiated when the second unofficial Test was played at the Basin Reserve. The result was again a. draw, but this time the New Zealand team, altered in four places from that which fared so badly at Dunedin, was in a winning position at the finish. Several Contributing Factors.

Several 1 factors contributed to the bringing about of this reversal of form. First and foremost cognisance must be taken of the vagaries of the pitch, which at critical stages was definitely against the visitors, but those who hold that New Zealand had to thank the state of the wicket for all the success that came their way overlook the failure of the M.C.C. batsmen on the final day after Kerr and Vivian had added 190 runs to New Zealand’s total in a third-wicket partnership. New Zealand redeemed itself in no small measure, but the eleven responsible did not do so well that nothing better can be expected. There is reason to believe that the present series of matches is being used to try out candidates for the Einglish tour, and therefore, as well as because the selectors probably recognise that there is still scope for strengthening the side, further changes can be expected m the teams to play at Auckland and at Christchurch. Kerr’s Fine Innings.

In the batting department Kerr, who showed in the Canterbury match that he is well able to handle the M.C.C. bowling, was expected to serve New Zealand well, and, after a first-inn mgs failure, he fully justified the confidence placed in him. His batting on Monday was extremely heartening to those who have mourned New Zealand’s present lack of a Hiddlestone or a Dempster. The only howler against whom he was at all uncomfoitable was Sims, and the latter did not hestitate to appeal on several occasions when Kerr resorted to using the pads to protect the stumps. Vivian who has found the Basin Reserve ’something of a happy huntincr ground, is hatting as well as ever and there can be no doubts as to hi* claims to a place in the team. Many thought he was unfortunate in being given out leg-before in the first innings and', in the second innings, he gave a really masterful display, both innings he was verf laurel, about playing himself in. * had obtained a good sight of the h° inrr he showed it little mercy without however, being reckless at any stage. Valuable All'Roundei*.

Roberts may have been fortunate to have received another chance m the team but his all-round performance was such that he can now scarcely be left out. As ‘if it were not enough to have been the unbeaten top-scorer in the first innings, by virtue of an e - fort reminiscent of the seasons when batting was his forte, and to have done some fast-medium howling with which no liberties could be taken he came to light with a brilliant slip cate which separted M.C.C. s opening in the second innings. Robeites boi mg has much more merit than i J parent to a casual obseryer and > lacking a genuine speed merchant New Zealand would do well to ret of Blandford from the first Nevf Zealand team wm | regarded as inexplicable and the opportunity (which he couk scarcely have been denied) was him he seized it with both hand., forming excellently both witl the ba_ and behind the stumps. ImtUll &, sence with the All Blacks ms ed Blandford s greatest uval . m wicketkeeper-batsman this sea. in a Wellington representative ide m in a New Zealand touring team, should be room lor both of them. A player whose selection loi Zealand was even moie J,< ' Blundell and he also .substantiated claims made on us heliair. M tb tftc new ball he was dangerous at the com mencement of both innings ml the fact that he was able to cn cheap wickets each time had a 'e J imnortant hearing on subsequent deXSts »hile E the M.C.C. occped the batting creases.

Oomb’s Captaincy. Cromb’s captaincy undoubtedly had much to do with the outcome of the game, as be made good use of his extremely limited bowling resources, particularly in the first innings, the second innings it appeared that a little more initiative on his part wouh. have enabled New Zealand to have done even better, Roberts and Blundell were persevered with rather long after they had played their part and more rapid changes in the attack would probably have had the batsmen in more serious difficulties. His bow - ing despite the fact that it practical y invited punishment, produced results and Cromb deserves all the credit which is earned by a slow bowler who goes on. to take wickets after his deliveries have beep slammed to various parts of the field. Merritt, whose days as an .mter-

national cricketer should be far from over, would have been a very valuable -man to New Zealand both on Saturday and on Monday, while Griffith’s success in Canterbury’s final innings against Wellington suggests that lie also would have brought results.

Peace After War. Peace after the cricket war is hailed by a writer in an English paper. What he asks, could be better than for an unofficial test match to be played in Sydney between the touring M.C.C. team and an Australian eleven? Two countries who were at each other’s throats over the leg-theory question are reconciled, and the new leg-before rule has altered the balance of power between bowler and batsman. South Africa and New Zealand have joined tranquility has ben restored in the world of cricket.