CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21727, 9 March 1936, Page 7

CRICKET

KERR IN BRILLIANT FORM ■i ' ’ : ... M.C.C. PLAYS FOR DRAW SECOND DAY OF FINAL MATCH J After establishing a good lead on the first innings of the final match against the Marylebone Cricket Club touring team, New Zealand has a fighting chance of forcing an issue. It is only a fighting chance, however, as at the end of play on Saturday the visitors set about an uninteresting blocking game, trying to play out a draw. With a deficit of 139 runs they have a good excuse for playing this kind of a game. For such a strong batting side the task they were set was not beyond them, and the large crowd showed its displeasure in the last hour on Saturday. It was an anomaly that New Zealand, one of the lesser powers in cricket, should provide the bright displays in a game against a Marylebone Cricket Club team, a side with a reputation for providing entertaining cricket. While New Zealand was at the crease there was always something interesting happening, J. L. Kerr was batting with freedom and made a chanceless century, and I. B. Cromb and C. S. Elmes provided some hard hitting while thev lasted. The outstanding innings of the match so far has been Kerr’s century. Although he started rather shakily on the Friday, and waited until he was set on Saturday, he hit out at loose balls with delightful freedom once he got going, and frequently had the crowd roaring With his drives and cuts to the boundaries. As the outfield was still heavy it required powerful hits to reach the fence, yet Kerr treated the fast and slow bowlers with equal ease and scored as prolifically off one kind as off the other. Frequent Bowling Changes J With his own tally at 62 when he opened with W. A. Hadlee he completely overshadowed the younger player and brought the score on at a solid pace. E. R. T. Holmes, the English captain, used frequent bowling changes, but Kerr would play the first few overs from each new man with caution and then would see how runs could be collected. Very occasionally he wouF be beaten by a ball, usually from either Sims or Baxter, but he did not get rattled and would be looking for runs from the next When Baxter replaced Read and bowled with the new ball, he packed a leg field, but neither of the batsmen was much troubled, and they scored singles and twos through the cordon. The partnership of these two added 145 runs, and this was largely contributed to by brilliant running by Hadlee between the wickets. The only time that the scoring rate slackened much was when Kerr was approaching his century. The first few runs through the nineties came fairly quickly, but when 98 he delayed a bit. and neither he nor Hadlee could score off the accurate bowline. Two maidens went by and then Kerr placed a forceful square cut off Baxter, and the crowd cheered wildly, thinking that it would go to the Human made a great save and returned the ball quickly to the top of the wickets, and Kerr still wanted one run. Outstanding Average Parks a slow • professional righthand bowler, took over at the south end. and Kerr played the first five balls defensively. The last of the over he drove past mid-on for three and received a great ovation from players and soectators alike. His in nines was chanceless and made in manner which stamps him as io wor d class It was the third time he has made a century against the visitors .. fv,/» present tour, and his average them" 99.8, a total ol 499 rm* for seven innings, in two of which he has been not out, Kerr did not alter his style of play when he had passed the century, and in the last over before lunch had brought the total to 261. Holmes had taken an over himself, bowling medium paced deliveries, which kept fairly low Kerr tried to square cut some on the off side, and in the second to last ball before the lunch adjournment snicked one through to Griffith behind the stumps. His innings had lasted 230 minutes, and he hit 13 boundaries. Hadlee Gives Two Chances Although Kerr had attracted the crowd's attention with his brilliant display, Hadlee, in his first innings for New Zealand, was playing a slow, confident game all the time. He gave two chances in as many overs, the only mistakes he made, but each of them was dropped ?e lifted ajoose ball from Parks high, to the leg boundary. Human came round fast, and got to the ball easily, although he used both hands high over his right shoulder. He apparently heid the ball for a short time for it to slip from his hand and hit the pickets on the full for four. When Read took the next over from the stand end, a short hall bumped badly. Hadlee ducked, but the ball hit the back of his bat and flew into the air. Griffith rushed forward from well behind the wickets and just got the tips of his fingers to the ball, but failed to hold it. Hadlees bat was also hit down on top of the wickets, but the bails were not dislodged. Shortly after, Read sent down another bumper, and a wide was signalled as it flew out of reach of the batsman. Cromb and Elmes Entertain Hadlee was completely beaten by Sims before he was bowled by the last ball of the first over after lunch. Cromb played the proper innings, going for the runs, and not caring so much about his own average. While he lasted he was scoring at the rate of a run a minute, and it was in trying to hit a good length ball on the off that he tipped a catch through to Parks at first slip. Though Roberts did not last more than one ball, Elmes followed the example set by Cromb, and though he was slower to start with, he later hit a perfect six from Sims, the ball landing half-way up the embankment on the west side of the ground. The stroke was perfectly timed. _ , Griffiths, Blundell, and Jackman went through some weird strokes before the innings closed. The fast bowling of Read troubled them all, but Griffiths, with some wild hitting, managed to make nine. Jackman was trying to play him properly, and seemed more confident, until he played over a yorker. England at the Crease The tourists’ second innings opened very quietly with Parks and Barber playing to Blundell-and Roberts. Roberts was less expensive than the Wellington man, but both had the batsmen watching every delivery carefully and each appeared unlucky not to get wickets. The partnership put on more than 60 before Parks, who was turning Cromb’s slows to leg for singles and pairs, stepped in front of one which caine oft last and was gwen out under the new rule. Next bau Barber'backed up too far and slipped while, trying to regain his crease. Elmes’gave Cromb a good return, ana Barber was well out of his 1 crease when the wicket was broken. . The position was now serious lor the visitors and the two newcomers

made no attempt to force the pace. The large crowd waited patiently for them to play themselves in but when after half an, hour neither had reached double figures, the crowd showed its annoyance with hoots and calls from the bank. . The batsmen did not alter their tactics and the score mounted very slowly. The bowlers were being changed frequently in the hopes that the batsmen would hit out, but they refused to be tempted. Spectator Interferes With’ about seven minutes to go a spectator jumped over the rails from the bank and, amid cheers from the crowd, wandered out to the pitch. Cromb went over to him and tried to reason with him and finally appeared to make a bargain with him as the man left the field quite contented. While he was talking to Cromb one of the spectators demanded that he should be given a bowl. A constable appeared on the ground, but the intruder was on his way back to the bank before they met. Good Fielding There was little to choose between the fielding of the two sides. New Zealand may have had a slight advantage in the catching and ground fielding, but the visitors were superior in the returns to the wickets. Hadlee, with his fast chasing after boundary hits, saved many a run for New Zealand, and both Baxter and Human were frequently applauded for clever work. The chance that Human dropped was the only possible qjiance that went astray all the day. Jackman was not quite so impressive as on the previous day, but let -little get past him. Of the visiting bowlers Read had the most impressive average, and was bowling much faster than against Canterbury. The batsmen, however, appeared to have more difficulty in playing either Sims or Baxter than the fast bowler. These latter look as if they could bowl for long spells unchanged and their easy actions made an immediate appeal. In the first few overs they. bowled both Blundell and Roberts were on the top of their form. Blundell appeared to tire fairly quickly and was bowling much slower in his later spells. Roberts, if anything, got faster and had to be watched all the time. Cromb thoroughly deserved the. wicket he got as, in the first few overs of his attack before he tried to tempt the batsmen, he was flighting the ball very well. It is only by keeping up a deceptive length and varying his pace that he manages to keep the runs down. Griffiths had his usual percentage of wild balls, but every now and then baffled the batsmen completely. The ground, though heavy In the outfield, was in very good order, and the weather was perfect for cricket. The 1 pitch was playing truly and very few balls from Read bumped badly. The rain on Saturday night and yesterday may cause some complications when the match is continued this morning, but if a full day’s cricket is played New Zealand is in a good position for forcing a win. The scores were:

Fall of wickets—One for 9. two for 9, three for 49, four for 63, five for 95, six for 97. seven for 156, eight for 167, nine for 179, 10 for 195. Second Innings

63. NEW ZEALAND First Innings J. L. Kerr 111112214112112221111141 1114111111244312114114441324111 1341114124243111, c Griffith, b

Fall of wickets: One for 22, two for 82. three for 116, four for 261, five for 261, six for 301, seven for 301. eight for 323, nine for 323, 10 for 334, NORTH CANTERBURY V. CHRISTCHURCH SUBURBAN To meet the Christchurch Suburban Association in the final match ol the Canterbury Sub-Associations’ Challenge Shield contest in Rangiora on Wednesday and Thursday, the following North Canterbury senior representative team has been selected by Mr A. L. Lockhart:— A. L. Lockhart (captain), F. Devlin, A. V. Miller, P, Roberts, C. Kirk (Rangiora), L. Stead (Kalapoi). D. Hoskin, G. Croft. H. Feary (Lobum), Rex Ballinger, and R. Cassidy (Woodend), Emergencies: H. K. Kippenberger (Rangiora), A. P. Smith (Woodend), and-J. A. F. Watson (Rangiora.) A junior representative match between the two associations will also be played in Rangiora on Wednesday and Thursday and the North Canterbury team for this fixture has been selected by Mr G. C. Beattie as follows:—T, OXoughlln, P. O’Loughlin (Carieton), H. Sail, W. Sail (Cust), F. McHugh (Swannanoa), R. Bennett, N. Cherry. G. Cherry (East Eyreton), M. Ballinger, L. Southen, and J. C. Chamberalin (High School). Emergencies: A. Cherry (Eyreton), J. McHugh (Carleton). iM. Forrest (Eyreton). and R. Pulley (Rangiora). TVv* -two ‘Norih.® Canterbury umplxes are Messrs S. Smith (Lobum) and A. G. Dennis (Rangiora), and they will act with two from the Christchurch Suburban Umpires' Association. KAIAPOI V. WOODEND - Playing at Woodend on Saturday afternoon. Kalapoi beat Woodend by two 1 wickets. In the first innings -Woodend made 151 lima end Raiapoi declared its

innings closed with a score of 166 runs for one wicket (F. T. Capstlck not out 101, R. Taplin 46, H. Oram not out 13). In the second innings Woodend scored 122 runs (Ralph Ballinger 39, M. Ballinger 28, C. Smith 15). Bowling for Kalapoi, H, Carter took six wickets for 29 runs and L. Stead two for 32. Kaiapoi in. the second innings scored 114 for eight wickets (R. Taplin not out 23, F. T.. Capstick 20, H. Stoddart 18, C. Martin 16, H. Hopkins 11, H. Oram 10). Bowling for Woodend, Bex BaUinger took three wickets for 46 runs, and 'R. Cassidy two for 11, AUCKLAND COMPETITION - * * (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.), AUCKLAND, March 8. Matches under the control of the Auckland Cricket Association were resumed on Saturday in good conditions. King’s College Old Boys made 373 (Smith 86, Pearson 93, Norris 65, and Morris 35) against Ponsonby. Mount Eden made 289 for nine wickets (Mills 73, Postles 69. T. Lyon, four wickets for 70) against Young Men’s Christian Associafion. Parnell made 66 (Cowie three wickets for 15) and 48 for three wickets against Grafton, 102 (Farquhar 36, Goodsir three wickets for 20, Anthony six wickets for 49). North Shore made 187 (Walters 89. Price, six wickets for 55, Matheson four wickets for 56) against University, 105 for eight wickets. GAMES IN WELLINGTON FIRST' SERIES COMPLETED (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, March 8. Club cricket matches were played in fine weather on Saturday, the four leading teams completing the first series of the play-off round. Hutt made 305 and beat Midland, who made 303 ( W. Dustin 84, J.' L. Keating 48, R. O’Neil 33, R. Crawford 31, B. R. Ross three wickets for 71). Wellington, with totals of 213 and 204 (R. Morgan 65, F. McDonald 41) beat Old Roys, who made 185 (2. H. Laxoason- SS, G. White 43) and 33 for two wickets (I. A. H. Symes six wickets for 85).' Wellington has 40 points. Midland 37, Hutt 32, and Old Boys 20. Kilbirnie. with 353 (D. S. Wilson 83 not out, S. Ward 72, C. Parsloe 74) beat University, whose totals were 93 and 144 (A. C. Wiren 5%J, ,Ashenden seven

wickets for 48). Karorl made 269 and 53 for three wickets and beat. Petone, who made 215 (W. O’Connor 57, R. Holland 37, R. Macdonald four wickets for 40, E. King three wickets for 53).

M.C.C. First Innings J. H. Parks 11114, st Jackman, b Blundell 8 W. Barber 1221412311111111412412 1441112111131, b Roberts 60 J. M. Hardstaff. b Blundell 0 D. Smith 2112211411, b Griffths .. 18 E. R. T. Holmes 2, c Jackman, b Griffiths 2 J. H. Human 11111111141142111111 41214412, c and b Cromb 46 James Langridge 1, b Roberts J. M. 'Sims 1312111211141114112112 1111, b Roberts 1 38 S. C. Griffiths. 22122, b Griffiths .. 9 H. D. Read 1, b Griffiths 1 A. D. Baxter 4411, not out 10 Byes 1 1 Leg byes 111 .. .. 3 Total .. 195 Bowling Analysis O. M. R. W. A. W. Roberts .; 18.1 6 33 3 E. D. Blundell ,.6 2 13 2 I. B. Cromb ..19 — 67 1 H. G. Vivian .. 8 1 18 — B. Griffiths ..17 2 60 4

J. H. Parks. 111111123141112214222 12, Ibw (n), b Cromb 38 W Barber, 3232111111111111. run out 22 J. Hardstaff. 111111211111441411431, not out .. 40 Bye, 1 •• .. 1 Leg byes, 2111 5 Total for two wickets ., "l42 Bowling Analysis 0. M. R. W. E. D. Blundell .. fl 2 21 — A, W. Roberts ..13 4 22 — B, Griffiths ..12 1 41 — I. B. Cromb ..15 2 32 1 C. S. Elmes .. 3 1 9 — H. G. Vivian .. 4 — 11 — Fall of wickets: One for 63, two for

Holmes •. 132 P. E, Whitelaw 11121411, c Sims, b Read . * 12 M. W. Wallace 12132222421123343, c Sims, b Read . . 38 H, G. Vivian 21114211412, c Parks, b Sims 20 W. A. Hadlee. 13131212314121313411 311111. b Sims 47 I. B. Cromb, 11444211142, c Parks, b Baxter 25 C. S. Elmes, 111411411111161 , b Read .. •■ • , # 26 A, W, Roberts, c Sims, b Baxter ... 0 B. Griffiths. 212112, c Holmes, b Read 9 C. K. Jackman, 1141, b Read .. 7 E. D. Blundell, 1, not out .. 1 Bye, 1 .. 1 Leg byes, 413 .. 8 Leg byes, 22211 •• 8 Total 234 Bowling Analysis O. M. R. W. A. D. Baxter .. 18 2 62 2 J. H. Parks ..19 6 40 •— H. D. Read .. 21.1 3 72 5 J. M. Sims ..23 4 92 2 J. Langridge .. 8 — 21 — J. H. Human .. 5 — 28 — E, R. T. Holmes ,, 2 — 2 1 Read bowled one wide.