Howarth in fine form

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 56

Howarth in fine form

■ Geoffrey Howarth played an innings of distinctive quality and charm in his contribution to New Zealand’s first, innings, briefly blemished by an over or two after lunch when he played and missed at Walker fairly regularly. Otherwise, it was an erudite and attractive performance. Howartb seemed to pick up the line very easily and early, and as at Lancaster Park, his driving was beautifully-timed. He had to fight hard for ;runs in the morning — he [was 28 at lunch, in two 1 hours — but his batting blossomed as the pitch calmed down a little. Beneath that brown Surrey cap New Zealand had a batsman of exciting possibilities.

He shared a second-wicket , stand of 57 with Congdon, .and one of 49 with John i Parker. Congdon, having got I through the worst of the j morning, was caught behind 'when trying to hook Lillee. Parker struggled painfully, ; taking an hour and a quarter Ito reach double figures. Just i when it seemed his pilgrim's I progress would lead to ’plenty — he had begun to I time his shots and hit them 'firmly — he cut Lillee ’fiercely only to see Gary Co{sier in the gully take a ■ magnificent left-handed : catch, millimetres from the I turf.

i New Zealand had a dreadi ful 20 minutes in which .Geoffrey Howarth, Burgess and Parker were dismissed. But Richard Hadlee stood firm, playing the pace and lift of Lillee correctly and courageously as Edwards turned his attention to Walters. He began there, but in his crowded hour he produced a stream of great strokes from the others too. He cut savagely, drove powerfully, and a couple of ’times pulled to mid-wicket [strongly. ; All of his first six scoring ’strokes were boundaries — ’there were 11 in all in his 151. Yet this was Edwqrds at, I his very best, for they were 'almost all lovely strokes. When one recalled his un- ■ convincing second-innings [struggle at Christchurch, it [was a metamorphosis. He [went to his 50 with the best ’shot of an innings resplen- ; dent in strokes — a magnificent square-cut off Gilmour which fled to the: . fence.

He was all confidence: this! was a thoroughly convincing] performance, which ended; when he gave Gilmour the! undeserved bonus of a wicket. He hooked Gilmour toj a tremendous height and Lil- 1

lee. just inside the boundary, waited and waited, and held it. Lance Cairns loitered: palely for half an hour and only Richard Hadlee was left to stage any further recovery. He was dropped at 8, had a couple of other mishits off Lillee, but he applied himself admirably for an hour and three-quar-ters. Only now and then was he allowed to reveal the ra-[ vishing strokes he has at his I command.

But his straight-hit six off Gilmour was memorable. There could not have been an easier or more graceful stroke.

Hedley Howarth came and went, and Peter Petherick played a strange part for 25 minutes. He hung on, against all expectations, for 25 minutes, until the 6‘5-over stage was reached. Then Lillee was given the new ball, with Petherick at the business end of the pitch. Petherick made six posthumous prods as the ball whipped past him. And he appeared to erioy his contribution to a diverting few minutes. Then he improved sufficiently to make contact and he gave Marsh his fourth catch of the innings. Hadlee was last out, beaten bv a Tall of lethal pace from Lillee.

During the afternoon Lillee reached the milestone of .150 test wickets, and yesterday he really looked the part. But memories of th day’s cricket will be principally of Edwards’s brilliance, and the noble efforts of Walker.

It could still be an interesting contest, if New Zealand bowls really accurately, makes the most of what lift and life is left in the pitch, and holds its catches.

It simply can not afford to let the Australians run riot, as they did in the first innings at Christchurch.