N.Z. batsmen put up fight

Press, 15 August 1978, Page 6

N.Z. batsmen put up fight

From R. T. BRITTENDEN. for NZPA Nottingham Although Robert Anderson, was foolishly run out. without scoring. New Zealand offered welcome resistance to England on the fourth day of the Cornhill second test at Trent Bridge last night. There was a fine partnership of 58 between Geoff Howarth, at present New Zealand’s best, batsman, and the 21-year-old Bruce Edgar, then Edgar and John Parker saw their side through to lunch, at 85 for two. New Zealand could not look to the weather for a reprieve when it began the daunting task of trying to wipe off the 309-run first-innings deficit. There was some early morning rain, but it stopped a couple of hours before play began and the forecast was for clearing conditions. The only unhappy note was that Stephen Boock had become the latest victim of the virus Infection which has affected sevi eral players in the last few weeks. However, his sore throat was not likely to stop this very competitive young man from staying in the match. Mike Hendrick and Bob Willis opened with the new ball, but the first New Zealand reverse was a self-inflicted wound. Robert Anderson played Willis quietly to cover and ‘set off for ian impossible run. David Gower [had ample lime to pitch the bail

back to the bowlers end and ■ Anderson was run out by a wide margin. It was a sad error in judgment. Geoff Howarth went into double i figures when he square drove I Willis elegantly for four and [New Zealand reached 25 in under I [half an hour. ■ Edgar and Howarth pla.xed . coolly and well, but their brave resistance ended when Howarth, back then forward to one from Hendrick which left him. was easily caught in the slips.’ The partnership had been worth 58 in 67min, and the runs had come . through polished and attractive , batting. 1 Edgar and Parker batted , warily to keep their wickets in- . tact at lunch, although there was the occasional well timed > shot which netted three or four runs. ( The scoreboard at lunch early l this morning (N.Z. time):—

ENGLAND First innings 429 NEW ZEALAND First innings . 120 Second innings B. A. Edgar not out 32 R. W. Anderson run out • G. P. Howarth c Botham b Hendrick 34 J. M. Parker not out 13 Extras 4 Total for two wickets H Fall of wickets: 5, 43. Bowling 0. M. R W. G. Miller 2 2 6 I R. G. D. Willis S 1 29 • M. Hendrick 9 4 15 i. D. Botham 9 1 27 | P. H. Edmonds 10 2 •