N.Z. Challenge Is Not Taken By Indians

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 24

N.Z. Challenge Is Not Taken By Indians

(From

R. T. BRITTENDEN,

N.Z.P.A. special correspondent)

INDORE.

Not even a generous declaration on the final day by the New Zealand captain, G. T. Dowling, could bring a definite result to the three-day match with the Indian Cricket Board President’s XI at Indore yesterday, and the game was drawn.

Set to score 152 in 125 minutes for victory, the President’s XI had made 97 for four at the close.

New Zealand gained a lead of 110 runs on the first innings after dismissing the President’s XI for 204 and rapidly made 41 for three declared. with B. R. Taylor, promoted to open the innings, getting the bulk of the runs. However, the President’s XI lost a wicket cheaply, was eight for one at tea, and failed to take up the New Zealand challenge in the final session of play. The New Zealanders left for Hyderabad after the match to prepare for the final test in the series, starting on Wednesday. The score stands at one-all.

Although the overnight batsmen, Viswanath and Solkar, started confidently, they had added only five runs when Solkar was out He went forward to Taylor, the ball moved in, and Solkar was leg-before. Dalvi, the last of the recognised batsmen, was always uncomfortable against Yuile. Eventually, he tried to steer him through the slips but succeeded only in giving Hastings a head-high catch. Sarkar and Doshi were further wickets to fall, while the score advanced by only 15 runs. Viswanath alone stood firm and at lunch was 68 not out.

Another 22 runs were added after the interval, the dismiss! of Vishwanath, who was run out, ending the President Xi’s resistance. With a need for quick runs to make a declaration possible, the New Zealanders attacked from the start of their second innings, and Dowling’s decision giving the Indians a target, for victory should have been inviting enough. However, it was not taken, and the match petered out to a draw. 99-RUN STAND

Powerful, polished batting by the former test player, Borde, and an attractive innings by the 20-year-old Vishwanath, the pair putting on 99 for the fourth wicket, had stopped a swift New Zealand advance on Saturday. In the morning, New Zealand went from a first day score of 249 for six to 314, most of the runs coming from a vigorous 40 not out by Collinge, and at the close, the President’s XI had made 136 for four. '

Taylor gave New Zealand a flying start when he hit the stumps with two successive balls to dispose of Gaekwad and Jayantialal, and there was a third wicket, at 28, when Dharsey was caught behind off Collinge. But Taylor was obviously impressed with the amount of lift he could attain, and after good, lively opening overs, he dropped the ball short He was rather like a child guilty

of misusing a new toy and it broke—or rather Borde broke it—with two hooks and a square cut to take 12 off the over.

Collinge was dreadfully unlucky. He bowled very well indeed in the opening spell, and had both Borde and Vishwanath missed by Murray at second slip, although the second one was a sharp chance.

Borde thereafter batted most capably, punishing the quick bowlers when their lengths lapsed, as Collinge did badly after his disappointments. Borde also hooked and cut the fast bowlers vehemently, but the slower bowlers were all treated with much respect Yuile was best of them, turning the ball away a little and bringing one in with the arm occasionally. It was this ball which beat Borde. When New Zealand resumed its innings in the morning, Hastings lost his off stump to an out-swinger before a run had been made and Taylor added only 11, but his 36 was his best score since his 87 against Scotland in his second innings of the tour. SIXES AND FOURS

Collinge, who hit an enormous six off Solkar, also banged away at fours, many of them with massive square cuts which threatened to have the ball disintegrate. It was his best tour score by far and a very safe innings. It was an unlucky day for Milburn, however. First he was run out after negotiations with Collinge had broken down badly, and that made his second dismissal of the tour and his relegation from near the top of batting averages to a more modest place. And when he was keeping wicket to Yuile, the ball rose very sharply and hit him on the left cheek bone. Milburn had to leave the field and allow Dowling to assume an unaccustomed role behind the wicket