CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23913, 3 April 1943, Page 6

CRICKET

SERVICES’ MATCH CONTINUED AIR FORCE REQUIRES 482 TO, WIN Army declarer; with 315 for seven wickets in the second innings when stumps wore drawn yesterday in the inter-services match against Air Force at Lancaster Park. Air Force now requires 482 to win in the final day’s play to-day. Yesterday Air Force ■ completed its first innings with 128 against the Army’s 294. With a formidable total to pass, it is unlikely that Air Force will be able to recover. It is possible that the wet weather last night will create a batsman’s wicket, and this may help the side. Army's total of 294 proved sufficient to give it the comfortable lead of 166 over the Air Force side, in the first innings. With the Air Force total standing at 62. for the loss of three wickets. R. Crawford and B. Bezzant opened the batting yestetday morning. These two. the only Air 'Force batsmen to make a stand, having added 50 runs to their side’s- total on Thursday, were separated in .Weir’s first, over. •• After Crawford’s • dismissal, clean-bowled by a ball which turned back from the' leg. Bezzant had a frequent change of batting partners. His departure from the crease, with 63 to his credit, after 1 a catch off Cromb by Dunnet, the wicket-keeper, was not long before the end of the Innings. Pritchard, the Ne’w Zealand express boivler, in taking four wickets for 33 runs off 14.6 overs, was mainly responsible for dismissing ; Air Force for a meagre 128. I. B. Cromb, the Army captain, and M. L. Page, both former New Zealand representatives. who opened the Army batting, gave an exhibition early yesterday afternoon of fast scoring and brilliant stroke-play. Cromb gave not' a single chance, until he cocked up a slow offspinner from Crawford, and was caught by Parkin,’at third man. The partnership had realised 116 runs in 13 minutes, Cromb’s share being 66. Page now increased his rate -of scoring, and was dismissed lor 75. L. A. Milnes and J. L. Kerr looked as if they were settling in for a big partnership, when Milnes cocked up a drive and was caught by the bowler, Lemin. when’ he had made 14. He was unlucky in missing, his 1000 runs for the season by 31. W. McD. Anderson joined Kerr, and produced a lively 30 when, after a slight drizzle from the cast, the ball was becoming greasy. Attempting a short run in the covers, Kerr was run out. with his score at 82. C. Kerr fielded ■ the ball smartly, and whipped it in to the wicket-keep.er. . G. L. Weir batted with Anderson until the latter was beautifully bowled by Lemin. and was then joined by S. G. Halllday. A spectacular catcl) In the covers by the Air Force captain, Crawford, just before time, provided a suitable climax to the day’s play. Halliday. a promising young Auckland .player, lifted a hard drive off Dustin, and Crawford, running round from cover-point with outstretched arm-; took the ball cleanly In one hand. Cromb then declared the innings closed. Army will take the field-this morning. Lemin was the only Air Force bowler to take more than one wicket, and bowled steadily for 16. overs. His figures were two for 67. Scores were:— AIR FORCE First Innings C. Kerr, c Dunnet, b Pritchard .5 W. Dustin, iun out .. .. 1 0. L. Wrigley. run rut .. .. 2 R. Crawford, b Weir ..30 B. Bezzant. c Dunnef, b Cromb .. 63 K: Parkin, b Partridge .. ..11 G. Churchill, run out .. 2 J. Oliver, c J. L. Kerr, b Pritchard 1 N. R. Hoar, c Page. b Pritchard .. 1 T. G. Lemin, b Pritchard ... .. 1 W. Bird, not out n Extras .. .. ..11 Total 128 Bowling: Pritchard took four wickets for 33 runs; Weir, one for 30; Partridge, one for 18; Cromb, cne for 38. ARMY First Innings .. .. .. 294 Second Innings 1. B. (Von 1). ("'Hsi kin, hj Crawford 66 !V(. L. Hajr, c (Vaulnnl, t) Hoar .. 7./ lv. lUlcfc,. hj l‘ai I.i’ll ~3 i.. A Milnes, c and hj Lemin ~ U ,f. I. Kerr, run out" .. ..Cl W. McD, Amieiion, b l emin .. SO Cl. L. Weir, hot'out .. .. 43 1 S C. Haliidav, c Crawford, b Dustin 5 EM la-' .. ~17 Total for seven wickets ~ 315 Bowling: Hoar took one wicket for 54 ; runs; Lemin, two ior 67; Bird, none for C. Kerr, none for 37: Parkin, one lor Crawderd, onj for 39: Dualin. one for