CRICKET S.A. Batsmen In Control At Lunch

Press, Volume C, Issue 29707, 28 December 1961, Page 9

CRICKET S.A. Batsmen In Control At Lunch

JOHANNESBURG, December 27. Although the South African wicket*keeper, J. H. B. Waite, made a polished and chanceless century on the second morning of the second test against New Zealand at the Wanderers’ Club ground today, the New Zealand bowlers enjoyed considerable success on a pitch which played easily. About an hour after lunch, South Africa’s overnight score of 80 for one wicket had become 224 for six wickets. F. J. Cameron was responsible for most of New Zealand’s progress, but R. C. Motz also bowled particularly well. Cameron took two wickets with successive balls, both of them through outstanding catches, by G. A. Bartlett and P. T. Barton.

The teams are:— New Zealand.—J. R. Reid (captain). G. T. Dowling, P. T. Barton, R. C. Motz, A. E. Dick, F. J. Cameron. J. C. Alabaster. S. N. McGregor, J. W. Guy. G. A. Bartlett, P. G. Z. Harris. South Africa.—D. J. McGlew (captain). E J. Barlow, J. H. B. Waite, R. A. McLean, K. C. Bland. K. Elgie. S. O'Linn, P. M. Pollock. G. B. Lawrence, K. A. Walter, H. D. Bromfield. The day began almost as the previous one had done, with Barlow scoring an early four with a violent mis-hit off Motz. He tried to hook, but the ball hurried through on him and he deflected it high over slips’ heads to the boundary. A moment later Barlow was dropped by Reid in the slips off Cameron, and his peace of mind was not improved when Motz beat him all ends up without bowling him. Waite was much more impressive than his partner, although Cameron forced him into extrpme watchfulness in the course of a particularly testing over. New Zealand's frustrations ended, temporarily at least, when Barlow edged Motz to Reid at second slip: this time the oatch was held safely. South Africa’s score then stood at 99 for two, and Motz’s success gave him 50 wickets in first-class matches on tour. New Zealand made the South Africans fight hard for the next run. Cameron bowled a good maiden to Waite, Motz another one of excellent pace and length to McLean A firm drive by Waite off Cameron for a single brought South Africa to 100 in 115 minutes. It became a desperate struggle for runs, and suddenly New Zealand, with two inspired pieces of fielding, made the morning memorable. First McLean went, magnificently caught in the gully off Cameron by Bartlett, who had to dive full length- to his left and juggled with the ball while rolling over. Then Bland, first ball, was beautifully picked up by Barton in the slips; from 99 for one. the score had become 102 for four, and Cameron ended the over with the prospect of a hat-trick. Motz bowled an over reeking with hostility to Waite, and Cameron bowled again, this time to O'Linn. The ball

which might have brought him a hat-trick found the edge of O'Linn s bat. but no catch. Waite, still poised and composed amid all this flurry, fluently drove Motz past midoff for four to reach his personal 50 and restore a touch of authority to the batting. Bartlett came on after Motz had bowled eight overs for two wicket and 20 runs and the batsmen treated him with much of the respect they were according Cameron. In an hour and three-quarters. South Africa could muster only 47 runs, for the loss of three wickets. Before lunch. however, Waite began to assert himself and began to pick up runs readily. Twice in an over he drove Bartlett for boundaries. both clean and hard hits, and a ’third boundary came from Bartlett's next over, this time from a lucky sort of blow. Alabaster bowled for the first time straight after lunch, but Cameron, continuing his considerable stint, gave New Zealand the wicket the team badly needed. O'Linn played on from an inside edge, and five were down for 159. Waite was still in magnificent form, and went into the nineties with a drive for four off Alabaster which left the fieldsmen fixed in admiration. In Alabaster's next over Waite brought off another boundary to reach his first

century against New Zealand. But he was out almost immediately; Dick giving Cameron his fourth wicket with a catch. Elgie. a much more confident batsman than In the first teat punished some loose bowling from Alabaster heavily, sending up South Africa’s 200. Reid must have been tempted to take the new ball immediately, but he persisted with Alabaster who. if rather erratic, achieved considerable turn. With the score at 221. Reid bowled, and still the new bell was held back. But Motz took it at 226. and moved it late in the heavy atmosphere.

Score*: SOUTH AFRICA First Innings D. J. McGlew. lbw, b mow > E. 1 Barlow, c Reed. to Mota 41 <1. H. B. Waite, c Dick, b Cameron . 141 R. A. McLean, c Bartlett. b Cameron K. C. Bland, e Barton. b Cameron S. OUan, to Cameron K. Klgle. not out 34 P. M. Pollock, not out it Extra* Total for elx wlcketa ttt Fall of wlcketa: one for M. two for •». tlrree for let. tour for 102. live for ISO, six to 118. Bowling O. M. R W. R. C. Mota ..IS 4 » 1 G. A. Bartlett .11 Z 5 • F. J. Cameron Z» 1 s 4 J. R. Reid 5 1 1 • J. C. Alabaster • • 41 •