FIRST GAME OF TOUR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22109, 3 June 1937, Page 15

FIRST GAME OF TOUR

\ JI.Z. CRICKETERS’ GOOD performance SURREY’S STERN TEST ( ADVANTAGE with visitors IN drawn match /from Our Special Correspondent With 1 the New Zealand Cricket Team) LONDON. May 11. , pitted against Surrey—recognised as a severe test for the first match of a tour—the New Zealand cricket team created a very favourable impression }H its first game of the English season. on the last day caused the game to be abandoned, the result a draw very much in favour of the Dominion side. With this result New Zealand enthusiasts have every reason to be satisfied, for the performance of the players, who have had no chance to reach their top form, augurs well for the remainder of the tour. It is, of course, much too early to make forecasts and it is sufficient to record that the team has made an extraordinarily good start. The most pleasing feature was the bowling, expected to be the weakness of the team, and yet which was good enough to dismiss a I fairly strong batting side for 149, Sandham, Surrey’s opening batsman, is now 42, and is a little past his best, but he is still recognised as a very solid batsman. D. J. Knight, the old test player of 1921, who is attempting a come-back, failed to show good form and was bowled by a beautiful ball from A. W. Roberts, who shared the opening attack with J. Cowie. Bowlers Do Well I Roberts threw the bail further up than he usually does in New Zealand, and he caused it to swing a good deal Jn the air. He also turned the ball both ways off the wicket and throughout proved very troublesome. Cowie did not immediately strike his best, but after lunch he bowled very fast and well, accounting for three quick wickets. It was Gallichan who upset Surrey before lunch. The left-hander kept the ball well up to the batsmen end was able to turn considerably at times. Although having a slight dampness on it. the wicket was not difficult, and Gallichan’s 15 overs (seven maidens) for 19 runs and four wickets before lunch was indeed an excellent performance. Sandham was stumped in jumping out to drive, and after Gregory and Squires had taken the score to 75 Squires attempted a pull-drive from almost a half-volley outside the off stump and was caught by Donnelly at mid-on. Next ball Barling tried to hook a shortish one, and again Donnelly was there to take a much easier catch. - Fishlock, just back from Australia and New Zealand, was given a fine reception, and with Gregory carried on until the last over before lunch, when Gallichan got Gregory lb#. Gregory did not know for some time that he was out, Gallichan having asked the umpire very quietly. The score at lunch was 90 for five, and the New Zealanders felt very pleased with the morning’s work. It was much warmer after lunch, and after Roberts had bowled Fishlock and Watts had had a good try to hit Galllchan over the gasometer, the innings closed for 149. Cowie bowled very well In the later stages, and finished with three for 41, Roberts had three for 44, and Gallichan four for 44. Vivian and Moloney were used sparingly. ■' ; Page Starts Unluckily Jhe fielding was first class, no diances going begging, and the returns th the wicket being of the highest order. Tindill kept wicket excellently, though he may have missed a difficult stumping chance from Sandham. Moloney, in making a great effort to save atitamdary, fell rather heavily and Injured a finger, but after a short spell resumed his place in the field. New Zealand, who had omitted iWeir, Hadlee, Dunning, and Lamason, started with Page and Kerr, but Page was exceedingly unfortunate to be out lb a really magnificent catch by FishloqEwho dived full length at second slip to snap up the ball just before it reached the ground; An unfortunate stirt,This, and after Vivian had played a glorious square cut off Watts he, too, was out, Ibw, to Cover, who bowled Very fast and accurately. ! Kerr and Moloney carried on, Kerr striding excellent form and playing very confidently. At 29 Moloney snicked one from Gover and was well taken by Brooks at short stop. Carson, whp had a prodigious season in New Zealand, and from whom Englishmen arpi expecting a good deal, then came to Ike wicket, and helped Kerr to add a further 43 before Kerr was Ibw to Garland-Wells for a very good and Valuable 39. Wallace imniediately showed very good form, bufr was foolishly run out through attempting an ortra nyx after the ball was thrown, and with five wickets down for 94 It was left to young Donnelly, the Taranaki left-hander, to help Carson pull the, game round. This they did ex®eWmgly well, Surrey trying every ’ move to separate them, but they stayed nmtill stumps, having carried the score Wht"the county's total. With five wickets in hand. New Zealand had a «ad of 12 runs at the end of the first JW#, play—a very pleasing performCarson’s Impressive Innings Bain over the week-end and early ‘"Monday morning made the wicket anat for play before lunch, and it was hotjmtll 2 p.m. that Carson and Doncould resume. The wicket was but not difficult—something like a Wicket at Carisbrook. The ball got up, however, and both playr*Were several times struck bn the After the partnership had realwjd exactly 100 Donnelly backed up va an d was run out for 40 by a good return from the Surrey capf win, Garland-Wells. Tindill, the All ®«Ck footballer, another left-hander, •®e*to assist Carson, who was hitting me ball tremendously hard, although t imin K a s well as he will do !J2*r 1 1 game or so. Carson was caught |?.i Gover at short leg after having {*« ed for 170 minutes and having hit JJ ‘Ours. His score of 85 may help W COpvlnce those in New Zealand who . Dever seen Carson on a wet JJJket that he can adapt himself to £Wng conditions. Gallichan did not J**. and Roberts went first ball to a gjw catch by the Surrey keeper. ffJWe and Tindill, the last pair, batted jjvjaalf an hour, the former indulging A*ome huge smites, while Tindill carbon quietly for 18, not out. Cowie a commendable dozen. Fielding Difficulties a lead of 84, New Zealand took ijS fWd again, and at tea had got gSLw Knight, who fell to a great Of Roberts off a ball from Cowie,.

which rose very high and came off Knight’s glove. Immediately after tea Sandham was caught off Cowie at short leg and Squires snicked Gallichan into the slips. Again Roberts dived to take an excellent catch. i The fielding was not so good now, the very poor light and dark surroundings making clear vision very difficult. Carson twice dropped fairly easy chances, and Gallichan failed to hold an easy one from Fishlock. Later Moloney appeared to lose sight of a high hit to leg and failed to take it. Roberts was the principal sufferer, and with reasonable luck might have taken four or five wickets. At stumps Surrey had a lead of only 43. with four of the best batsmen out. Gregory and Fishlock had shown very good form, but Page caused Gregory to step back on his wicket in hitting a ball fine to lee The bowling again was very steady, the fielding not giving quite food enough support, but, as I say. the light was very difficult. the game is left drawn, after two very interesting days’play. Cover undoubtedly is one of the finest fast bowlers in England, and took six Wkets for 57 off 28 overs. He bowled wickets io through, and showed S stamina. He will very likely oppose New Zealand in the test games this yean.