Cricket New Zealand 388/5

Press, 4 July 1983, Page 23

Cricket New Zealand 388/5

NZPA-staff correspondent Taunton New Zealand produced a highly satisfying batting display to reach 388 for five at the end of the first day of thgir game against Somerset Taunton on the weekend. The captian. Geoff Howarth, scored an elegant 88 and John Wright returned to form with a powerfullystuck 85 as the Kiwis relished sunny conditions and a fine batting wicket in the opening first-class match of their tour of England. Richard Hadlee, another of the World Cup batting disappointments, also came back with an unbeaten 76 while the Wellington allrounder, Evan Gray, moved right into test calculations with 67 not out. The tally of 388 off 101 overs had, however, to be, set beside the fact that Somerset declined, for one

reason or another, to play most of their top players. lan Botham was ruled out well before the game with a slight groin strain but West Indian batsman Vjv Richards withdrew before the start of play with what was described as a severe cold. It was a good time for Howarth to win a toss, just the second he has taken in 13 games since the New Zealand side arrived in England. Hadlee and Gray began cautiously after the loss of two quick wickets but their partnership later blossomed and they had put on 145 runs by stumps. Hadlee’s innings was a

mixture of authority and good fortune as he wafted shots dangerously close to fielders. Gray, a late replacement for his Wellington team mate Jeremy Coney who has a slight shoulder strain, was more circumspect but rarely looked in trouble during his unbeaten 67. He unfolded some shots of great quality including a square cut off the front foot to the boundary to reach his half-century. Gray’s batting, following upon 61 not out against Combined Services, suggested an air of solidity which could serve New Zealand’s middle-order well during the tests against England. Apart from the inclusion of Gray, New Zealand made one other late change bringing in wicketkeeper Warren Lees for lan Smith who damaged a finger yesterday against Combined Services. NEW ZEALAND T. Franklin c Gamer b Wilson 0 B. A. Edgar lbw b Marks 34 J. G. Wright c Wyatt b Wilson 85 G. P. Howarth c Gard b Lloyds 88 J. J. Crowe c Gard b Davis 27 E. J. Gray not out 67 R. J. Hadlee not out ... 76 Extras (bl, lb 7, wl, nb2). 11 Total for five wickets 388 Fall of wickets: 1, 100, 143, 237, 243.