ENGLAND ATTACK DEFIED BEFORE LUNCH Dowling, Congdon Give N.Z. Slow, Solid Start

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 15

ENGLAND ATTACK DEFIED BEFORE LUNCH Dowling, Congdon Give N.Z. Slow, Solid Start

{From R. T. BRITTENDEN. N.Z.P.A. special correspondent? LONDON. New Zealand played itself cautiously into a solid position on the second day of the first cricket test against England at Lord’s yesterday, scoring 71 for one wicket at lunch, in reply to England’s first-innings 190. ,

The dismissal of the opener, G. M. Turner, with only 14 runs on the board, provided the only flash of excitement in a slow morning’s play.

Turner caught the thinnest of edges at a delivery outside the offstump by A. Ward, providing the new England pace bowler with his first test wicket. The New Zealand skipper, G. T. Dowling (37), added steadily to his overnight score of four, but B. E. Congdon (27) looked badly out of touch and survived some anxious moments, especially against the spin of D, T. Underwood. Play resumed in hot sunshine, on a pitch, although by no means a batting paradise, one not expected to be any more difficult than on Thursday. New Zealand’s scoring began with one or two streaky shots off Ward, and it was the young Derbyshire bowler who struck the first blow for England. Turner, playing forward, got an outside edge and A. P. Knott took the catch, making New Zealand 14 for one. B. E. Congdon took four

to fine leg off the first ball he received, and it was a hurried stroke. Ward bowled with great pace and hostility, and even on a good pitch would have been a problem. After bowling only 20 balls this morning. Ward was rested and D. T. Underwood began with a very • testing over to Dowling. Congdon cut D. H. Brown firmly for 4 and made a violent effort to hit Underwood out of the ground-, but runs came very slowly. However, Congdon then pulled Underwood powerfully through the close leg field for 4. Ward came on again at the pavilion end to put further pressure on the batsmen, but Dowling went on to his back foot and drove him beautifully for 4. Dowling was also grateful for a half-volley from Ward which he drove to cover boundary. Ward had only two overs before giving way to B. R. Knight, who beat Dowling with one leaving him late, but Dowling dropped his bat away just in time. Congdon, after several attempts, swept Underwood to boundary again but Dowling,

when 21, was very nearly caught by K. F. Fletcher at short leg. Knight continued to worry both batsmen but. they saw Underwood off after the leftl hander had had 10 overs for i 17 runs. I Illingworth had his first , bowl and Dowling ended a i long drought at Knight’s end . by pulling him for 4. But > from 36 overs New Zealand > had only 60 runs from the I bat.

But Illingworth had no more success than the other England bowlers to separate Dowling and Congdon.