THE FOURTH TEST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 124, 7 March 1936, Page 6

THE FOURTH TEST

M.C.C. SCORES 195 RUNS. NEW ZEALAND SCORES 280 FOR FIVE KERR SCORES GOOD CENTURY. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. New Zealand had the better of the first day’s play in the fourth a,lid final representative match against the touring M.C.C. team at Lancaster Park yesterday. Splendid howling on a wicket that gave some assistance to spin bowlers supported by excellent fielding, brought about the dismissal of the Englishmen for 195, and at the close of play New Zealand had made 138 runs for the loss of three wickets. The home batsmen faced tlie bowling confidently and two of the three wickets were thrown away through rash strokes. It was a glorious day for cricket and a fairly large number of spectators saw the play which though not spectacular, was never lacking in interest or incident. Only three M.C.C. batsmen made a prolonged stand and seven were clean bowled. The full battery of the New Zealand attack was not required. Blundell took two wickets in his six overs. Roberts was very steady, and Griffiths was impressive. Kerr played a solid innings and at stumps was undefeated for 62. Wallace was aggressive for liis 38. Kerr and Hadley carried on New Zealand’s innings in good style when play was resumed this morning. Kerr turned, Read’s first ball to leg for a single, while Hadlee showed more confidence than lie bad last evening. Kerr’s score soon rose into the seventies, but it was not easy to score off the two pace bowlers, Read and Baxter.' Excellent fielding, notably by Barber and Human, helped to keep the runs down. Kerr Hit the first boundary of the day, an off-drive at the expense of Sims, who had relieved Baxter. Hadlee ran into double figures with neat placement shots on either side, while Kerr hooked Sims to the leg boundary and, placed him to the off to reach 80. First Baxter, then Parks, wfis tried at the north, end, but runs still came in even time. The score was later brought along faster, both men sending Sims to the fence in one over—Hadlee with a fine drive, and Kerr with a square-cut, which took his score to 89. Human took over from Sims, and Kerr reached 91 with a pair and then straight drove him to the fence. The M.C.Q.’s first innings score was passed with only three wickets down. Kerr took two singles to reach 97, and the double century was hoisted after 170 minutes’ play. At the south end Langridgc took over, and kept the balls on tbe spot. A new ball was given to Baxter, who put five men on the leg side without keeping the batsmen quiet. Kerr placed a single, reaching 98, and in Parks’ over be sent a beautiful square cut away, only to see Human save the four. A couple of overs passed with Kerr still on “the devil’s number,” but then he on-drove Parks for three. He was warmly applauded for his chanceless innings. He reached his century —his third against the M.C.C. team—in 190 minutes. At the luncheon adjournment New Zealand had scored 261 for four wickets. On resuming after lunch, Hadlee was bowled bv Sims, and New Zealand had scored 261 for five. Hadlee batted 129 minutes for 47. Details are:— AI.C.C.

Bowling analysis—Roberts took tliioe for 33, Blundell two for 13, Cromb one for 67, Vivian none for 18, Griffiths four for 60. NEW ZEALAND. First Innings.

First Innings. Parks, st. Jackman, b Blundell ... 8 Barber, b Roberts 60 Hardstaff, b Blundell 0 Smith, b Griffiths 16 Holmes, c Jackman, b Griffiths ... 2 Human, c and b Cromb 46 Langridge, b Roberts 1 Sims, b Roberts 88 Griffiths, b Griffiths 9 Read, b Griffiths 1 Baxter, not out 10 Extras 4 Total 195

Kerr, c- Griffiths, b Holmes 132 Whitelaw. c Sims, b Read 12 Wallace, c Sims, b Read 38 Vivian, c Parks, b Sims 20 Hadlee, b Sims 47 Crornb, not out 17 Elms, not out 2 Extras 12 Total (for five wickets) 280