N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25797, 7 May 1949, Page 7

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

HOLIDAY GAME IN LONDON MAORI CLUB BEATEN LONDON. May 5. An hour and three-quarters for lunch and half an hour for tea reflected the hcliddy atmosphere of the New Zealanders’ match against the Maori Club at WorcheMer Park, London. The New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) and many other guests of the New Zealand Shipping Company savz New Zealand put on 159 for six wickets declared and take all the Maori Club’s wickets for 63. It was a pleasant day’s relaxation for the New Zealand team after the rigours of Bradford. Highlights of the New Zealand innings were 55 not out by Mooney, who showed- his best form since his arrival in England, and the first-ball dismissal of Reid, who Stepped in front of his wicket to a bell which he thought to be well outside the off r stump. Scott registered his fourth leg before in five innings. Frank Gilligan kept wickets for the MaoTi Club, with Harold Gilligan as captain. distinguished himself by hitting the stumps with two successive balls, and Hayes and Cave got their first wickets of the tour. Scores:— ZEALAND First Innings B. Sutcliffe, c Rae, b Martin 27 V. J. Scdtt, lbw. b Merritt . 15 J. R. Reid, lbw, b Martin .. 0 F. B. Smith, c Johnson, b Martin 5 F. L. H. Mooney, not out .. 55 W. A. Hadlee, c and b Martin .. 19 G. O. Rabone. lbw b Johnson .. 14 C. Burke, not out .. 22 Extras .. 2 Total for six wickets (de- . dared) .. .. 159 Fall of wickets:—one for 40, two for 40, three for 46, four for 48, five for 75, Six for 100. Bowling analysis:—Martin. 11 overs. 1 inaiden, 43 runs, 4 wickets; Johnson, 9 overs, 3 maidens. 20 runs. 1 Wicket; Merritt, 10 overs. 45 runs, 1 Wicket; Blunt, 2 overs, 1 maiden, 4 tuns; Winn. 5 overs, 23 runs; Gagen. 3 fivers. 20 runs. MAbRi CLUB First. Innings A. F. Rae, b Hales .. 5 J. W. Hause, c Cites Swell, b Cowie 0 J. B. Aitchenson, b Cowie .. 1 N. P. Johnson, b Cowie .. 0 H. Winn, c and b Cresswell .. 3 R. C. Blunt, lbw, b Cresswell .. 2 F. G. Fowlet, st Reid, b Cresswell 0 W. E. Merritt, b Rabone .. 5 A. H. H. Gilligan, c Reid, b .Burke 1 J. W. Martin, c Reid, b Cave .. 40 L. H. Gagen. not out .. 6 F. W. Gilligan, did not bat .. 0 Total .. .. 63 Fall of wickets:—one for 1. two for 3, three for 3, four for 9. five for 9. six for 9. seven for 12. eight for 15, nine for 45. Bowling analysis:—Cowiq, 4 overs, 2 maidens, 4 runs. 3 wickets; Hayes. 5 overs. 1 maiden, 8 runs, 1 wicket; Cresswell, 3 overs, 5 runs. 3 wickets; Burke, 3 overs. 21 runs. 1 wicket; Rabohe, 2 ovirs, 18 runs. 1 wicket; Cave, 1 over. 7 runs. 1 wickfit.

Mr Alexander said: “This will bring our land forces in Hong Kong up to the strength of two brigade groups, each of three battalions, while we have scrupulously tried to avoid being involved in the war on the Chinese mainland we are no less resolute in our attitude regarding territory for which we hold direct responsibility.”

Mr Alexander was speaking during the debate on the attacks on British ships in the Yangtse river. Mr Harold MacMillan (Conservative), opening the debate, said: "The root of all these troubles arises from the decision to keep a naval vessel at Nanking. More prudently, the Americans Withdrew theirs. It must have been obvious to the Government that after the Communist occupation of Nanking a destroyer there could only become an embarrassment rather than an assistance.

“British prestige has suffered a grievous wound in the country and among people where prestige matters more than anything else. It is from the Government’s faulty appreciation of the situation and its mistakes of judgment and action that this disaster stems. The incident among our enemies and critics in the world will be hailed as a sign of declining judgment, prestige, and power.” Dealing with the situation in China. Mr MacMillan said: “Hong Kong can best be defended if it is made clear that any attack upon it will be regarded as an act of aggression, with the necessary consequences. Hong Kong is the Gibraltar of the East, and must be held. A Pacific pact must buttress and support the Atlantic PaCt The Amethyst Incident Mr Alexander, in replying, dealt first with the Amethyst incident. HO said: “The view of those on the spot is that the firing started by accident and then spread. It was not a planned and deliberate trap. The sending of air support with the Amethyst would undoubtedly have been regarded as a provocative action. Th’e use of air support with the London and the Black Swan would have been a clear act of war.” • The Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) said: “We have not been asleep. All that has been said about air cover for the Amethyst has been proved absolute moonshine. If we had not sent a warship we would have been charged with not’ looking after the safety of our nationals.” On the East generally. Mr Attlee said: “Wc have been trying to help I Burma. We collaborate with both India and Pakistan, and in the Far East we are in touch with our southern Dominions and also With tne United States/’ . u The War Office later announced that the strength of the two brigade groups which would reihfdrce Hong Kong would be about 6000 men.