NOTES ON THE DAY'S PLAY

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13693, 29 March 1910, Page 8

NOTES ON THE DAY'S PLAY

(special to "the press.'"* WELLINGTON, March 28. A rather heavy shower in the early morning took some of the fir© out of the wicket to-day, but it played well till the latter nart of the day, when the fast bowlers began to fly a little. Tho feature of the day's play was a fine defensive innings played by Reese, who made 70 not out. Hβ negotiated all the bowling with ease, and gave only one chance —a hard ono off Facey to Armstrong in the slips, when he was in the fifties. Sims and Reese entered on a long partnership, and both batted exceedingly well, though Sims was dropped by Armstrong otf Whitty when in tho twenties. Sandman pleased the critics with his style and confidence during his short stay at the wickets. He was bowled by a "trimmer from Facey, which he tried to cut. Lusk had the had luck to be bowled off his les when ho had added two to bis oyernie;ht score, Facey bowled splendidly throughout,' the wicket being suitable to his pace. He kept a good length and direction, bowling very few loose balls, and ho bowled the fast "yorker with admirablo precision. Whitty also bowled very well—better than his figures indicate—and had the batsmen feeling for him reneatedly. Hopkins and Armstrong were the only other bowlers tried, and though Hopkins put in some good overs, they did not get any wickets. , When tho Australians commenced their second innings the spectators were treated to a fine exhibition of batting by Bardsley and Mayne. Both played correctly and forcibly, and gave a good exhibition of running between the wickets. Bardsley was caught by Boxshall behind the wickets just before time was called. He played the best innings he has played during the tour. Sandman beat him badly when about half way through the innings, the bowler missing tho leg stump by a hairs-breadth. Mayne played a not out innings for 80 odd. He also was beaten badly by Reese with a 'trimmer," which almost grazed the bails. Of tho bowlers tried. Sandman was by far the most difficult to play. Hβ had both batsmen in trouble repeatedly. The New Zealand fielding was not quite so correct as in the first innings. Boxshall had the bad luck to get two knocks on the head from Brice, one striking him on the top of the forehead and the other on the jaw; However, he kept to his work pluckily and was rewarded by catching Bardsley. This is the third time Boxshall has got Bardsley's wicket on tho tour. There appeared to be a much better gate to-day than on Saturday, but the takings were almost the same, £146 5s being taken on Saturday and £145 19s to-day. Among the spectators round the stand to-day I noticed visitors from all over New Zealand and a great number of Christchurch enthusiasts. Sir Joseph Ward was against present, and members of the team were presented to Mm.

Brice did nofe bowl so well to-day as on Saturday, and though Bennett was accurate, and got the only wicket that fell, ho did dangerous. Garry. put "up a good 'performance behind the sticks, taking Facey's fast stuff standing back, very neatly. He smartly caught Brice off Whitty and allowed very few extras. A chance to etump Sandman must be debited against him; otherwise he made no mistakes. Reese captained the eide very well, making his bowling changes judiciously. He might have bowled himself more to-day, as, apart from Sandman, he was the only bowler who looked troublesome.

■<. The game will finish to-morrow, and New Zealand's only chenoe is to secure a draw, and this possibility appears remote. With the exception of Sale's 24, almost all the runs registered were mode by the Canterbury men, butthe Auckland contingent are expected to shcrw their true form in the second innings.