TAME DRAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 17

TAME DRAW.

ENGLAND V. VICTORIA. GREGORY TOP SCORER. NASH BATS AND BOWLS WELL. (By J. B. HOBBS—-Copyright In all countries. Reproduction in whole or part forbidden.) MELBOURNE, February 23. 1 he cricket match between England and \ ictoria ended at Melbourne to-day in a draw. \ ictoria made 292 runs in the first innings in reply to England's score of 187. Xo play took place yesterday owing to rain, and on Saturday Victoria had lost two wickets for 144 when the weather caused the abandonment of play. When stumps were finally drawn to-day England had lost three wickets for 132 runs.

One day and two hours cut out of a four days' match robs it of interest, and when the wicket has been completely covered one cannot get "sporty." Victoria's match against England was reopened at noon to-day in bright weather after a blank Monday and a draw was practically a foregone conclusion. In the early stages it appeared as if we were in for a dull day's cricket, each side using the chance of obtaining such practice as it could, Victoria batting and the tourists loosening their muscles in the tieM. However, the new ball was no sooner taken by the fast bowlers just before luncheon, than life crept into the proceedings and things began to happen. Ames Takes Three Catches. In quick time four wickets fell, Ames taking three catches at the wicket. The one that dismissed Hassett was particularly tine. Hassett was trying to force a good length ball outside the off stump through the covers and turned it in the direction of first slip, though it is a moot point whether it would have carried so far. Ames flung out his right hand and held the ball. Gregory was unlucky to receive one from Copson which rose sharply and he could not get away from it. Ledward was caught off a weak hook shot which he spooned up to short leg. Pearson was Ames' third victim through flicking a good length ball from Voce that swung away. , The game swung around to promise England some valuable batting practice. The wicket had been toned down and was quite easy but, as throughout the tour, the new- ball made a big difference aud seemed to fly. The two youngsters, Gregory and Hassett, were rather slow to-day. The bowling was of pretty good length and permitted no liberties to be taken, though 1 once Gregory stepped out and hit one over the heads of the in-tielders. While he watches the ball Gregory has not the power to hit it hard except when hooking. Hassett Inspires Confidence. The outfield was very slow after the recent heavy rain. Hassett completed a very good 50. He was not as brisk in his strokes to-day, but one has only to sec 1 him at the wickets for a few minutes to recognise his class. He inspires confidence straight away. Hassett and Gregory added 103 runs for the third wicket. I had heard glowing account* of Pearson's batting, but he was not on view long ' enough for me to express an opinion. Copson bowled well and at a fair pace. Voce worked enough to tune himself up for the Test match on Friday, without unduly exerting himself. Three more wickets fell, but there was unexpected resistance by the last pair, Nash knocking up a crude but useful 29. Leyland had to go on to break the partnership. Victoria gained an impressive lead of 105 runs. Why Not Wyatt? s I thought the opportunity would have , been taken to give Wyatt a show as • Barnett's partner, but Verity again was sent in first, so it would appear to be the settled policy to let him open in the Test match. Verity was out to the second ball —a good one from Nash, which went away and was caught in the slips. Barnett was uncomfortable against three bumpers from Nash. From one he had a lucky escape. He put his bat up blindly 1 shoulder-high and sent it over short leg's head. Then he was dismissed by a fairly good length one which he tried to hit past mid-off where there was no fieldsman, but he played too soon and was caught to the - left of cover. Allen, Fames, Worthington and Fishlock had net practice to-day on another Melbourne ground. Scores: — ENGLAND. First inningß 187 Second Innings. , Verity, c Sievers, b Nash 0 , Barnett, c Lee, b Nash 11 Hardstaff, not out BO " Hammond, c Lee, b Ledward 58 , Leyland, not out 5 Total for three wickets 132 1 Bowling: Nash took two wickets for 16, Ledward one for 1, McCormick none for 14, Sievers none for 15, Pearson none for ; 47, Gregory none for 22, Ebeling none for |I 7, Hassett none for 6, Lee none for 4. j VICTORIA.—First Innings. d Rigg, Ibw, b Sims 18 v Lee, run out 40 Jj Gregory, c Ames, b Copson 86 Hassett, c Ames, b Voce 54 Ledward, c Barnett, b Copson 7 i, Pearson, c Ames, b Voce 15 i, Sievers, b Verity 6 >, Barnett, Ibw, b Robins 7 Nash, c Barnett. b Leyland 2!) ] Ebeling, Ibw, b Sims 6 McCormick, not out 10 Extras 14

Total 292 Bowling: Copson took two wickets for 64, Voce two for 52, Sims two for 76, Verity one for 39, Robins one for 34. Leyland one for 1, Hammond none for 12. WHITELAW'S CONSISTENCY. A correspondent, Mr. E. C. Beale, writes: —"In a recent Auckland publication a correspondent, 'Not an Aucklander,' writes regarding the selection of players for the 1937 New Zealand team for England, and with most of his views I concur. As in the case of a club, or an association, or a province, so selectors are in duty bound to select the required number of players best suited for the particular job in hand, irrespective of place of residence, when choosing a New Zealand team for England. But when he states that Whitelaw, who, as an opening batsman, has the best of the bowling to cope with, 'is inclined to be inconsistent.' and alleges ; that 'his poor fielding would be against ; him,' he falls short of doing that very i tine player justice. If it be a sign of inconsistency to play 37 innings during the past nine cricket seasons without being once dismissed without scoring, to exceed 50 upon nine occasions, and the 100 thrice, and to fail to make double figures on 11 j out of 37 innings, then Whitelaw is inconsistent, notwithstanding that in them all he has averaged 38.86 per innings, holds the Plunket Shield record for the only two centuries in one match (115 and 1.55 v. j Wellington in 1934-5), was awarded the Redpath Cun, and with W. N. Carson (290) holds the world's record for a third wicket partnership of 445, of which his share was 195, set up in the Auckland v. | Otago match last Christmas Eve. Like i others, even Hammond and Chipperfield, I Whitelaw occasionally misses catches, but those who see most of him when fielding . will tell you that he puts in a lot of splendid work and takes many fine catches. ;I n m y opinion his cricketing ability, .; temperament and personality would prove invaluable as a member of the New Zea--1 land team for England this present year."