“Vital Catches Dropped In Second Test”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29714, 6 January 1962, Page 16

“Vital Catches Dropped In Second Test”

written for "The Press" by R. S. WHITTINGTON]

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 29. New Zealand failed to win or approach winning the second international at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, because five or six catches were missed by her infteldsmen and wicketkeeper at a vital stage of South Africa's first innings and because she lacked, except in the imposing figure of J. Reid, batsmen of the ability to command an attack when the chance ot victory is presented. ' New Zealand salvaged a draw from the test because rain confined play on the first day to 100 minutes, because G. Dowling batted for 428 minutes for 132 runs in a match of 1180 minutes and because Reid, batting in his correct position at number four, managed to contain his incontinence and play out time with a handsomely compiled 75.

This draw and the nonconsideration of N. Adcock', in spite of his stated availability for selection at Newlands, should have provided New Year cheer for the nomadic New Zealanders, 8000 miles from their beloved homeland, as also must the £ll,OOO taken at the turnstiles for 15 men and their talented manager, who are perhaps the most exemplary amateurs in international sport. The Kiwis may not be contented with their performance. Nor should they, be, for there is ability in this young team that is yet to be fully expressed. Mtich the same words, however, apply to their pleasant opponents. The New Zealanders, naturally and understandably because of their geographical isolation from the hearths of cricket, are deficient in “cricket background.” They are by no means deficient in potential. In R. Motz they have a bowler who could develop into another M. Tate, given the opportunity . and the stage. In that Gary Cooper of cricket, F. Cameron, they have a bowler of cunning and class.

In the hapless and unlucky G. Bartlett they have a fast bowling “Hamlet” who is admirably trying and succeeding in off-setting as a batsman and fieldsman the harm that is happening to his team as a result of the inaccuracy that has come after the by no means justifiable “persecution.”

Guinea Pig Young Bartlett, rather by circumstance than deliberate intent on the part of any South African umpire, has become a “guinea pig” under one facet of Law 26 just as I. Meckiff and G. Griffin endured similar fates for vastly different reasons under another illworded phrase of that obnoxious law. Now the “calling” cries have died down, he has the opportunity to demonstrate to South Africa his true ability. And it is vital that he take it. For Bartlett is the one bowler in the New Zealand side who strikes perturbation of a physical nature into the Springbok batsmen. That is why he is in the test attack, though he has dismissed only about 13 men on tour.

Dowling's solidity, Reid's brilliance, Barton’s elegance and Harris’s conscientiousness and willingness to graft for runs eould take this team

of Reid’s to bigger and better things. But let us to the test match as A. A. Thompson <or was it Guy De Selinoourt?) once said in 70,000 well and amus-ingly-chosen words? J. Waite's classic and charming century would never have joined cricket history had he not been missed when nought. No names, no packdrill, even in Gath or Ascalon. And when he departed, South Africa was 188 for five—a multitude of them from E. Barlow off the edge. Cameron went on and on like the Trans-American Express but so did the South African score to 322.

In spite of the barrier Dowling rather surprisingly presented. New Zealand suffered her usual bad beginnings. I say "surprisingly” because Dowling has been using his legs on this tour in a manner that would be more of an asset to a girl in the front row of the Folies Bergere than to an opening batsman. Reid “Admirable”

The result has been a plague of “lbw's” and little or no room in which for the bait to swing straight down the flight. Dowling’s 132 runs in this test were accumulated, in spite of this “disability.” Reid was admirable, he almost always is, for 39 in the first innings but, like all hiß young and not so young charges, would serve himself and New Zealand better on South African wickets were he to make more use of his front batting foot. That gentle giant, G. Lawrence, bowled like a K. Miller with variant swing to overcome Reid and seven of bis men on a pitch that gave him little encouragement. Lawrence took what help he needed from the thin high air. Eight for 53 from 30j overs and nine for 98 from 52.3 is fair evidence of this. Those alleged tail-enders Bartlett and Alabaster, stoked the dying embers of the innings until the Springbok’s lead was 99. “Ninety nine never won a game.” billiardiists contend. And so it was to prove, in spite of some adventurous and frolicsome betting from McGlew, Barlow, Bland and McLean. Whiile these stars of the final morning were blending into a constellation. Motz filled the role which Cameron had so admirably and willingly discharged in the first South African innings. McGlew made what for him was a most generous declaration. leaving New Zealand a contract of scoring four runs an over for victory at 69.5 runs an hour. This the Kiwi batsmen turned down flat in the first two hours. In these only 49 runs were scored for the loss of that "will o’ the wisp,” N. McGregor, and Barton, the last-named in somewhat mysterious, but not deliberately nefarious circumstances. Fortunately for the future of cricket in Johannesburg. Reid rang down the curtain with a flourish of trumpets. Harris, who had been practising three times a day for eight days for this test, escaped performing a “pair.” Advantages gained—Reid's successful move up to number four and Dowling’s newfound confidence and certaintly.