Cricket New Zealanders At Blackpool

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28685, 8 September 1958, Page 8

Cricket New Zealanders At Blackpool

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) BLACKPOOL, September 6. Lancashire scored 250 for four, in three hours and a quarter, today against the New Zealand cricket team on the first day of its match in Blackpool.’ The New Zealanders lost the toss, and had to field on a ground softened by overnight rain. Wharton and Barber opened streakily, and scored, 15 runs in the first quarter of an hour, mainly with edged shots against the accurate bowling. At this stage a heavy shower drove the players indoors. On resumption late in the afternoon, the New Zealand bowlers came in for heavy punishment. The score was 33 when Blair quickly claimed the wickets of Barber and Pullar with successive deliveries. Aggressive innings from Wharton and Marner then added 158 in 115 minutes for the third wicket. All the bowling came alike to the batsmen. Marner reached 50 in 85 minutes, after Wharton had reached the same score in 105 minutes. Wharton was the first to go, giving Reid a simple return catch. Marner went at 95, in 105 minutes (eight sixes and seven fours). Reid retired from the field limping just before Marner's wicket fell, and in the last half hour Lancashire added 48. Blair, who claimed the first tw’o wickets at a cost of 23 runs, was by far the best New Zealand bowler. Although Miller took a splendid catch to get rid of Marner, several chances were dropped. Wharton was dropped at slip by Sparling when 31, and Marner at 44 and 67 by Playle and Meale. LANCASHIRE

First Innings R. W. Barber, c Ward, b Blair 18 A. Wharton, c and b Reid .. 85 G. Pullar, b Blair • • 0 P. Marner, c Miller, b Moir .. 95 C. Washbrook, not out .. .. .36 K. Grieves, not out ... ..32 Extras .. .. •• 4

Total for four wickets . 250 Bowling O. M, R. W. R. W. Blair .. 21 5 63 2 A. R. MacGibbon 17 1 60 0 A. McK. Moir .. 14 2 67 i J. T. Sparling .. 6 J. R. Reid 4 2 1 30 13 0 1 B. Sutcliffe .. 1 0 11 0