Howarth, Cairns lead dramatic recovery in test

Press, 25 February 1980, Page 30

Howarth, Cairns lead dramatic recovery in test

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

Application and spirit have taken New Zealand into a strong position in the second cricket test; lack of these qualities have left the West Indies with much to be done if they are not to suffer the indignity 7 of a second defeat by the lowest-ranked of the test countries.

I With six wickets standing, [New Zealand leads by 20 Iruns, with two men mainly [responsible for a dramatic grecovery from Friday’s preIcarious position. ’ Oh Saturday Lance Cairns Look six wickets in a test finnings for the first time [during a quite extraordinary RWest Indies collapse. | Yesterday, after New Zealand had ' lost two early gwickets, Geoff Howarth led la magnificent counter-attack [which left him with 140 not lout, his top test score. | The West Indies will be |under pressure if New Zealland can thrust home its present advantage. But the new ball is only three overs away, and there is no knowing just how well the West Indies will bowl on Tuesday morning. At Carisbrook, on the final day, they responded splendidly to a very critical situation, and very nearly snatched victory from defeat. Howarth is making just as vast a contribution to New Zealand cricket with his batting as his brother Hedley did with his bowling. This was Howarth’s fifth century in his last nine tests, and he has had an innings of 94 in that period as well. This was one of the great New Zealand test innings. Howarth came in with his

side in dire trouble, with the West Indies bowlers offering violence, and shine still on the ball. With John Parker a staunch ally, the West Indies advance was halted, and turned into near-rout. There was courage in the defence, splendour in the subsequent attack. A study of cricketing logistics suggested that New Zealand might do well to exceed 150 runs in a day’s play, because only about 75

overs would be bowled, and a run rate of two an over seemed probable. But between lunch and tea, 120 runs were made from 27 overs, dizzily exciting fare for the run-hungry spectators. Saturday’s weather was as bleak as Sunday’s was pleasant, but the New Zealanders must have found much pleasure in the capitulation of the West Indies batsmen. Cairns had a magnificent return, but he would be the first to admit that he has bowled far better, very often, for much less spectacular figures. Cairns is the most earnest of triers, and no success could have been more popular. But to some extent, he had his greatness thrust upon him. For some inexplicable reason, the West Indies batsmen seemed unable to gauge a hookable length. They were like motorists who could not distinguish between red, amber and green.

Alvin Kallicharran and Gordon Greenidge had taken the overnight 166 for three to 190, without any sign of discomfort, and their stand of 162 equalled the West Indies fourth-wicket record agaihst New Zealand.