CRICKET Slow Indian Batting Draws Newspaper Criticism

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 5

CRICKET Slow Indian Batting Draws Newspaper Criticism

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, May 14. India's slow batting on a good wicket against Surrey at the Oval yesterday drew the ire of London newspaper critics today. The Indians were 248 for seven at stumps, after being 43 for three at lunch. “Turn it up. India. Change your tactics or you will become known as the ‘tedious tourists.’ and your tour will be a flop,” Charles Bray said in the “Daily Herald.” Everything at the Oval “was marvellous except the batting,” he said. “The sunshine . . . the wicket was a beauty . . . the outfield was like an ice rink.” M. L. Jaisimha, described in the official handbook as “one of the most brilliant stroke players in the team, with remarkably quick foot work” had taken 100 minutes to score 10 runs before lunch. “Later on P. G. Joshi, ‘a useful right-handed batsman’ according to the book, spent 35 minutes making two runs, and it was not until 3.30 that India reached their hundred,” Bray said. “Lacked Confidence” Crawford White, in the “News Chronicle,” said the Indians “gave the impression that, as a team, they lacked confidence in their ability and hid behind the false security of safety-first prodding instead of trusting the strokes they would have played on any ground in India.” The “Daily Sketch’s” writer, David Williams, said: “What overawed the tourists? Certainly not 'the conditions—they could not have been better. “Neither was it the bowling, even allowing for the return of new-look Tony Lock and his now impeccable action.” “The Times” said: “If they go on at this rate on good pitches, the Indians will have an enormous proportion of drawn matches on their tour.” Brian Chapman, in the “Daily

Mirror.” said Surrey may have gone too far in “improving” its wickets in line with M.C.C. directions. “I would back any English county to have made 300 or more.” he said.

INDIANS AT THE OVAL

Manjrekar Scores Unbeaten 148 (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 13. The Indian tourists, thanks to V. L. Manjrekar, who batted nearly all day for an unbeaten 148, recovered splendidly after losing their first three wickets for 36, against Surrey at the Oval today, and were 248 for seven at the close; D. K. Gaekwad, the Indian captain, helped Manjrekar add 64 for the fourth wicket to start the Indians’ recovery, and later P. G. Joshi, the tourists’ wicketkeeper, shared a stand of 77 for the seventh wicket. Chief interest for the Surrey crowd was their first sight of G. A. R. Lock’s new bowling action —designed to cut out any suspicion of a throw or jerk. Lock successfully passed the scrutiny of both umpires, and finished the day with an analysis of one for 66. Scores: INDIA First Innings N. Contractor, c Swetman, b Loader .. .. 4 M. L. Jaisimha, c Gibson, b Loader .. .. 10 P. R. Umrigar, c Lock, b Gibson 6 V. L. Manjrekar, not out .. 148 D. K. Gaekwad, c Gibson, b Alec Bedser .. .. .. 27 C. G. Borde, c Lock, b Alec Bedser .. .. .. 1 R. G. Nadkarni, b Loader ~ 9 P. G. Joshi, b Lock .. 21 S. P. Gupte, not out .. .. 17 Extras .. .. .. 5 Total for seven wickets .. 248 Fall of wickets: one for 4. two for 13, three for 36, four for 100, five for 101, six for 134, seven for 211.

Scores In County Matches

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 13. Close of play scores in today’s county cricket matches were:— At Lord’s.—M.C.C. 148 (J. Pretlove 58, B. Taylor 55; D. Shackleton, five for 44) v. Hampshire. 134 for two (R. Marshall 73. H. Horton 50 not out). At Oxford.—Yorkshire 400 for three declared (K. Taylor 50, D. Padgett 161 not out, B. Close 144) v. Oxford University, 33 for two. At Swansea.—Worcestershire 190 (D. Kenyon 55, D. Richardson 66) and two for none. v. Glamorgan, 114 (M. Horton six for 40). At Cambridge.—Somerset 307 (J. Lomax 40. G. Keith 40, P. Wight 75, K. Palmer 51 not out, A. Hurd six for 93) v. Cambridge University 37 for three. At Rushden.—Northamptonshire 129 (B. Statham four for 23) v. Lancashire 144 for four (R. Barber 51, G. Pullar 51). At Coventry.—Derbyshire 315 (L. Johnson 57, D. Carr 143, C. Wheatley five for 93) v. Warwickshire 74 for four.

At Nottingham.—Leicestershire 302 for seven (W. Watson 72, J. van Geloven 75 G. Burch 61) v. Nottinghamshire. At Bristol.—Gloucestershire 350 (M. Young 46, R. Nicholls 71, T. Graveney 74. A. Brown 65; I. Thomson seven for 50) v. Sussex, 40 for three.