N.Z. Batting Raises Doubts On Tayfield’s Bowling

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 14

N.Z. Batting Raises Doubts On Tayfield’s Bowling

[Speciallv written for “Th* Pr«j»’’ bp LOUIS DUFFUS)

The 110 scored by the 26-year-old Wellington printer, Barton, was a model of good judgment. With plenty of time to play his strokes he waited patiently for the loose ball and hammered 19 fours off the attack. The 102 not out of N. McGregor was a colourful and masterly exhibition by a daring, versatile stroke-player. Their centuries, coupled with the impressive attacking contributions by J. .R. Reid, P. G. Z. Harris, G. A. Bartlett and J. C. Alabaster caused a shock to concepts of South Africa’s test attack. In particular they raised doubts whether the country can afford to play Tayfleld in the international team. It may be that his distinguished career as a match-winner is drawing to a close. Alas, in the city of discoveries, as a result of which

Johannesburg is now a bustling metropolis of 1,053,000 inhabitants including 400,000 whites spread over an area of 94 square miles, the New Zealand bowling was unearthed as expensively loose and disturbingly dependent upon the outstanding control of burly R. C. Motz. News of Wife Whether or not he was spurred on by the news that his young wife Loretta had taken four for 12, then six for 11 in Canterbury club cricket, he alone bowled with sustained class. G. Bartlett was still too erratic to be dangerous. The bespectacled batsman. E. Barlow, who is a likely partner for J. McGlew ta opening the test innings, hit four fours in the first over he received from Bartlett It was on the Rand some 70 years ago that a prospector accidentally kicked a stone on the widow Bezuidenhout’s farm and founded a fabulous gold mining industry. Not many miles away from that scene the New Zealand cricketers made an important discovery when they forced an agressive draw against Transvaal on a farm that now houses the incomparable Wanderers club.

Against bowlers—P. Heine, H. Tayfleld and Walter—of international class they disclosed a richness in forceful batting that marked a turning point of their tour. They cut off a batting tail as deftly as the farmer’s wife dealt with the three blind mice

Alabaster always beats all the batsmen who face him but his invariable gifts, through dropping his length or pitching his leg-breaks wide of the off-stump, quickly restore their confidence. The wretched bowlers had _not been helped by the missing of 15 chances in three first-class matches, in-

eluding six against Transvaal. Alabaster, Motz and Reid had each suffered three times. One other discovery was no doubt brought home to them. In these early matches they usurped South Africa’s one-time title as cricket’s most suicidal runners between wickets. In two matches they lost three batsmen in this way, were extremely lucky not to have Barton dismissed when he had made 29 of his 110, and had several near misses. Lost Enthusiasm

It seems that Johannesburg folk have lost their liking for cricket. In three days of good weather and most attractive play only 7680 passed through the turnstiles. In 1953 G. Rabone’s team drew 16,100 to the Transvaal game, at the more central venue of Ellis Park. By and large the match was something of a triumph for the Kiwis. So they were happy when they raced by car to catch the Durban train at various points along the line. If their batsmen thought about it at all they must have realised that N. Adcock was now the only bowler who could be disturbing to them in the tests. In the Transvaal P. Heine had done enough to suggest that the famous AdcockHeine partnership might be resuscitated.

Impressed by the airconditioned dining saloon, the bar and cocktail lounge they travelled by train to the green rolling hills of sugar cane, the colourful Zulus and Indians, and the humid heat of Natal Less than a week ago they sang as their bus drove along the banks of the Zambesi river, 1300 miles away. Now they sang beside the Indian Ocean till they settled in a cliff-top hotel set in lawns within sight and sound of the inviting surf.