Sympathetic Criticism Of Cricket Test Defeat

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32053, 30 July 1969, Page 18

Sympathetic Criticism Of Cricket Test Defeat

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent)

LONDON.

Restrained and sympathetic criticism for New Zealand’s performance at Lord’s in the first test came from most of the Fleet Street sports writers yesterday morning. Most agreed that it was no disgrace to be skittled by the left-arm spinner, D. Underwood.

•G. M. Turner, who carried Ms bat throughout New Zealand’s second inning*, was praised for his determination and concentration.

Perhaps the most pungent comment on the match came from the commentator, John Arlott, writing in the “Guardian.” “There could be no more typical example of a match between professionals and amateurs,” he said. “Having wavered in their batting on Thursday, England played themselves ruthlessly to a position of strength from wMch they finally destroyed the New Zealand batting.” The former test cricketer, Ken Barrington, in the “Daily Sketch,” said New Zealand had to face the world’s best equipped bowler for these conditions. “No Disgrace”

“Half a dozen county sides would probably have lasted longer than the New Zealanders because they have more experience of meeting Underthat New Zealand did not bat as well as it bowled.

“Their captain, Graham Dowling, blamed the pitch

when the day was done, but wood on an uncertain pitch, but it was no disgrace for the Kiwis to be bowled out so cheaply.” lan Wooldridge, in the “Daily Mail,” said the test ended in a hand-to-hand duel between Underwood and Turner. .

“Underwood was as unplayable as Turner was unshiftable and at least they riveted attention in the dying hours of a test that would

have otherwise have passed away unnoticed,” he said. The result was predictable, Wooldridge wrote, from the moment it became evident ironically most of the seven batsmen who fell on Monday to Underwood were beaten through the air.”

In the “Daily Telegraph,*) E. W. Swanton said the New Zealanders did not capitulate. “In the person of Turner, indeed, they found a man who epitomised calm and skilled defiance.”