N.Z. Plays Well To Put Rhodesia Out For 189

Press, Volume C, Issue 29657, 30 October 1961, Page 14

N.Z. Plays Well To Put Rhodesia Out For 189

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SALISBURY (Southern Rhodesia), October 28. The New Zealand cricketers gave by far the best performance of their tour so far in dismissing Rhodesia for 189 on the opening day of the return match at Salisbury today. Then, left with 93 minutes* batting time, the New Zealanders made a steady start to make 75 for two wickets at the dose of play. The timely revival of the New Zealanders* attack was due to some quality leg-spin bowling by Alabaster, who took four wickets for 71, and a fine effort by the fast-medium bowler, Cameron, who swung the ball both ways to claim three wickets for 42. This, coupled with an attractively-hit 67, including 12 boundaries, by Rhodesia’s Bland, provided the crowd of 4000 with an absorbing day’s cricket.

The Rhodesians, winning the toss and batting first on a good pitch, never looked happy against the New Zealand attack. The home side lost its first four wickets for 35 runs, made in 90 minutes. Although the wicket helped the seam bowlers, Cameron and Motz, it was also conducive to good stroke play’, but indifferent batting by the early Rhodesian batsmen contributed to their own downfall. Three of the first four batsmen dismissed—Gripper. Arnott, and Lewis—threw their wickets away without offering strokes, but for the rest, it was sheer good bowling, backed up by excellent fielding, which gained the New Zealanders their success. Cameron and Alabaster stood out among the New Zealand bowlers. Cameron had two long spells of 11 overs each. Nineteen of the 42 runs hit off him were scored off two overs—his first, when Pithey helped himself to nine runs and a six, and his first after lunch, when Haig hit him for a four. Cameron said during the lunch interval: “This is the type of wicket I like to bowl on. It helps me swing them a little each way.” Alabaster was also accurate, and maintained a good length throughout. He claimed Lewis’s wicket with a “wrong ’un,” and ended the Rhodesian innings by claiming the wickets of Du Preez and Partridge with successive balls. The New Zealanders’ fielding was good throughout, with Guy (in the outfield) and Barton (in the slips) impressive. Harris, McGregor and Alabaster were

also applauded for fine returns to the wicket.

Bland and Haig were the saviours of the Rhodesian batting, their partnership for the fifth wicket yielding 97 in 83 minutes. While they were at the wicket the match seemed to be swinging in Rhodesia’s favour, and Reid set a defensive field. New Zealand’s early batting was bright, and the batsmen kept pace with the clock until Lawrence took the ball. Sparling and Guy put on 33 in even time before Sparling was bowled by Griffin for 14. Then Lawrence uprooted Barton’s off-stump with a good ball when Barton had scored 29. Griffin, the Springbok pace bowler, was wild, and lacked control in his first two overs He was called twice for “dragging." Lawrence was accurate, and made several balls lift off a good length. The match continues to-

morrow. RHODESIA First Innings R. Gripper, b Mott 3 A. Pithey, c Ward, b Reid .. 1« D. Arnott, b Cameron 0 D Lewis, lbw. b Alabaster 9 C. Bland, c Ward, b Cameron 87 I. Haig, c Barton, b Cameron 37 R. Robertson, b Reid 22 G. Griffin, lbw. b Alabaster 3 G. Lawrence, not out 11 J DuPreez, b Alabaster .. 13 J Partridge, st Ward, b Alabaster 0 Extras 8 — — Total 189 Fall of wickets: one for 18. two for 20, three for 24. four for 35, five for 132. six for 140. seven for 153. eight for 157, ine for 189, 10 for 189. Bowling O. M. R. W Mott .. 17 8 28 1 Cameron .. 22 11 42 3