Century by Parker puts N.Z. ahead

Press, 7 August 1978, Page 28

Century by Parker puts N.Z. ahead

From

R.T. Brittenden

A chanceless four-hou century by John Parker, his second of the tour, led Nev Zealand to a satisfactory 24! for five wickets declared or a rain-shortened first day a; Old Trafford.

It was a very reasonable total after the first two wickets had fallen for only eight runs and it was fashioned through sound but assertive cricket.

Parker’s 104 not out was the New Zealanders’ seventh tour century. There was also an admirable innings of 59 by Robert Anderson and a useful 36 from Mark Burgess. In the final half-hour Lancashire scored 15 for no wickets.

The New Zealanders seemed to be taking their misdemeanours of the first test with due gravity, none more so than Anderson. He played a very fine innings, watching and waiting for the ball which could be punished [with safety. ! He had extra responsibility thrust upon him with the early loss of Bruce Edgar and Geoff Howarth but he shouldered it splendidly.

It took him 25min to score his first run but once he had a good sight of the ball he played with assurance and aggression.

The seam bowlers forced him onto the back foot consistently but he was sound there and made some strong drives. As he grew in confidence he attacked the slow left-handers with solid lofted drives which cleared the field easily. It took him almost 2hr to reach his 50 but the rescuing operation and the subsequent advance were both conducted convincingly.

Parker shared with Anderson a stand of 103 in 31 overs and it was heartening fare. Parker had not played a first-class innings since his century against Warwickshire but his lay-off has done him no harm. He was dutifully- watchful for a while but soon he was timing his shots easily and he hit some most attractive drives through the covers

ind square from the back foot.

These two had to counter a lively opening attack. It came from a very tall West Indian, Colin Croft, and from a medium pacer with a distinctively whippy action, Bob Ratcliffe.

Croft, with a leisurely, almost sleepy approach to the wicket, had some lift from a very firm pitch but Ratcliffe was the more dangerous. He moved the ball away late from the bat and was still getting his outswinger to go when the ball was 45 overs old. After Anderson had gone Parker and Mark Burgess shared a stand of 73 in as many minutes and it was a most entertaining partnership. Both of them assaulted the slow bowlers vigorously and well. Burgess was out straight after tea and Jock Edwards, I after a valiant attempt to j resist temptation, lost his | off-stump in trying to hit [Croft to mid-wicket. NEW ZEALAND First innings R. W. Anderson c and b Ratcliffe .59 B. A. Edgar b Ratcliffe 5 G. P. Howarth c Lyon b Ratcliffe ... 2 J M. Parker not out 104 M. G. Burgess c Abrahams b Simmons .. . 36 G. N. Edwards b Croft 19 B. L. Cairns not out 7 Extras ib2, lbs, nb2) 9 Total for 5 wkts dec. 241 Fall: 6, 8. 111, 184, 224. Bowling: Croft, 17, 3, 56. 1; Ratcliffe, 21, 3, 64, 3; Reidy, 6,1, 18, 0; Kennedy. 3,1, 9. 0; Arrowsmith, 15, 8. 40, 0; Hughes, 5,2, 15. 0: Simmons. 11. 1 30, 1. J. M. Mclntyre. R. O. Collinge, S. L. Boock, B. Thomson did not bat. LANCASHIRE First Innings iA. Kennedy not out .. .. 8 D. Lloyd not out .. .. 5 Extras (lb2) .. .. 2 Total 15 To bat: J. Abrahams. H. Pilling, B. W. Reidy, J. Simmons, D. P. Hughes, R. Arrowsmith, J. Lyon. R. M. Ratcliffe, C. E. H Croft.