DAMP START BUT BRIGHT BATTING

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31089, 18 June 1966, Page 17

DAMP START BUT BRIGHT BATTING

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter— Copyright) LONDON. The West Indies, one up in the series, batted brightly in adverse conditions to score 155 for four on the first day of the second test against England at Lord’s yesterday.

Heavy rain cut 3} hours out of the day’s play, but the long delay did not restrict the West Indians in their efforts to produce natural strokes.

Even after losing the opening batsman, M. C. Carew, with only eight on the board, they sought runs against accurate bowling and keen fielding. R. B. Kanhai, joining the other opener, C. C. Hunte, added 25 runs ip 30 minutes before Kanhai was second out at 42. After an hour rain delayed

further play until after tea, and the West Indies soon lost a third wicket when the patient Hunte, who made 18, provided the fast bowler, K. Higgs, with his third wicket. But S. M. Nurse (40 not out) and B. F. Butcher (49) put on 66 in an hour for the fourth wicket The rain enlivened the pitch a little, but Nurse and Butcher were not intimidated. Hooking powerfully, they prevented England breaking

through until Butcher skied a catch to mid-wicket off B. F. Knight at 119. Butcher's 49 was scored in just under 90 minutes and included a six and six fours. England might have been better placed if F. J. Titmus, in the slips, had managed to hold a difficult chance off the first ball the West Indian captain, G. S. Sobers, received. Sobers survived and was soon batting with floving ease to help Nurse take the total to 155 without further loss before the close.

Higgs was again the spearhead of England’s attack. He bowled 19 overs and captured three wickets for 50 runs. Scores:— WEST INDIES First Innings C. C. Hunte, c Barks, b Higgs .. U M. C. Carew, c Parks, b Higgs ~ 2 R. B. Kanhai, c Titmus, b Higgs .. 2S B. F. Butcher, c Milburn, b Knight ..'49 S. M. Nurse, not out 40 G. S. Sobers, not out .. 16 Extras (b 1. I.b. 4) ..5 Total for four wickets 155 Fall of wickets: one for 8, two for 42, three for S 3, four for U 9.

Bowling 0 H R W Jones .. 12 1 40 0 Higgs .. 19 b 50 3 Knight .. 11 0 42 1 Titmus 5 0 18 0