Turner's 223 a great achievement

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 14

Turner's 223 a great achievement

(By

R. T. BRITTENDEN)

The application and skill of G. M. Turner have never served New Zealand better than his astonishing 223 not out in the first innings of the first test in the West Indies. How few New Zealanders have had the patience, or the technique, to bat in a test match for nine hours and a half.

This was the second time Turner had batted right through a test innings. Only three others have done this, and Turner is the first of them to have scored a double century. Turner’s first test century, at Dacca at the end of 1969, was also a display of monumental patience. On a pitch on which stroke making was difficult because of the very low bounce, he was all diligence for nearly seven hours and a half in making 110, and this innings contributed almost as much to the draw, and New Zealand’s first test rubber, as the better-remembered and more spectacular second-

innings stand of M. G. Burgess and R. S. Cunis.

Turner had M. G. Webb with him for the final 37 minutes of his innings. Another fast bowler, number 11, J. Cowie, played an even more important part when M. P. Donnelly became the first New Zealander to score a double century in a test.

This was at Lord’s in 1949, and Donnelly had a considerable way to go to his second century when Cowie joined him. The New Zealand wicket-keeper, F. L. H. Mooney, put up a stake of half a crown for Cowie if he could stay there while Donnelly went to 200; and the prize was duly

won. Cowie stood firm while Donnelly attacked, and went to 206, in a magnificent display. He batted very solidly on the second day, but on the last morning he cut loose, adding 80, out of 112, in under an hour and a half. Donnelly’s test record stood until New Zealand made its first tour of India. In the third test, at New Delhi, B. Sutcliffe had J. G. Leggat (37) help him in an opening stand of 98. Then Sutcliffe and J. W. Guy (52) made 130 for the second wicket. After that, Sutcliffe and J. R. Reid were together, adding 222 in an unbroken third-wicket partnership. Sutcliffe batted nearly eight hours for 230 not out and Reid, in a little more than three hours, was 119 not put. The third New Zealander to score 200 in a test was G. T. Dowling. This was at Christchurch, against India, and Dowling made 239, New

Zealand’s record score. But Turner, if unable to pass Dowling’s total, at least has the distinction of playing the longest innings by a New Zealander in a test. Dowling batted just over nine hours at Lancaster Park. Turner’s was a tremendous feat at Kingston. None of the other three doublecentury makers were faced with the tactical problems he had to solve. Donnelly came in with the score 137 for three against England’s 313 for nine declared, in a three-day match. Sutcliffe opened at I the start of the match. So! did Dowling. But Turner had to hold together a side! which had faltered badly i under the physical strain of, nearly two days in the field, I and the psychological handi-! cap of a West Indies score, of 508 for four wickets. He met these demands magnificently.