Solid start by England

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32637, 19 June 1971, Page 46

Solid start by England

(N.Z P. A.-.Reuter—Copyright) LONDON.

G. Boycott showed he had lost none of his flair for international cricket when he returned to the England side with an unbeaten innings of 61 against Pakistan in the second test at Lord’s.

Rain reduced the first day’s play to little over two hours and a half, and by the close, England were 118 for no wicket, poised for a big firstinnings total. Boycott, who has missed England’s last four tests through illness and injury, began in subdued style when play eventually started 50 minutes before tea. But he was soon into his stride, and with B. Luckhurst (46 not out at the close) denied Pakistan a breakthrough on a docile Lord’s pitch. It was their fourth century partnership in seven tests. Boycott's runs included a massive six when he hooked the pace bowler, Salim Altaf. With its fast bowler, K. Shuttleworth, injured, England has brought in 33-year-old J. Price for his first test for more than six years. R. Hutton was also included. K. Fletcher is the twelfth man. ENGLAND First innings G. Boycott not out ..61 B. Luckhurst not out .. 46 Extras (bytes 5, leg-byes 1, no-balls 5) .. .. 11 Total for no wicket 118 Bowling.—Asif Masood, 11, 2. 33, 0; Salim, 10, 4, 25. 0; Asif Iqbal, 11, 2, 18, 0; Majid. 4,0, 16, 0; Intikhab, 5, 1. 15, 0.

Bowls.—R. Hogwood, the president of the New Zealand Indoor Bowls Federation, won his last-round match, but did not have enough points to qualify for post-section play in the New Zealand fours championship at Tauranga.