STERN CRICKET TUSSLE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 70, 16 December 1929, Page 9

STERN CRICKET TUSSLE

OPENING MATCH OF M.C.C. TOUR WELLINGTON LEADS BY 76 RUNS ON FIRST INNINGS FINE STAND BY McLEOD AND HENDERSON; RECORD CROWD OF TWELVE THOUSAND e That cricket has at last firmly established itself in public favour in this country was evident from the record crowd of twelve thousand spectators who assembled at the Basin Reserve on Saturday to watch the continuation of the opening match of the M.C.C. team's New Zealand tour. That the game has also made great strides was clear from the fact that the Wellington eleven held possession of the wickets for practically the whole day, and managed to total 242, thus heading the Englishmen on the first innings by 76 runs. The feature of the innings was the spirited stand made by E. A. McLeod and M. Henderson for the ninth wicket, which realised 74 runs, and saved the day for the home side. The Englishmen bowled and fielded so ably that it took the Wellington team 291 minutes to ■core 242 runs.

The stage wks ideally set for the second day’s play. The sombre rain clouds of Friday had lifted, and the day was beautifully fine when Wellington opened their first innings at 11.30. As the day wore on ,the weather improved, and the crowd swelled until’ by two o'clock a record cricket gathering of twelve thousand spectators singed the playing field. The ground presented an inspiring sight in the brilliant sunlight. A dense sea of humanity filled the stand and slopes, and ringed the entire ground, four and five deep. The M.C.C. banner proudly floated from the flagstaff, and memories of English house matches were revived by the lively streams of the Wellington Regimental Band during the afternoon. English Fighting Spirit. Though the wicket was much firmer and faster than it was on Friday, the Englishmen bowled so well that the Wellington men had to defend stubbornly for the greater part of the day. That great batsman, C. S. Dempster, was at the wickets for 105 minutes for 20 runs. The Wellington team proved that it was a sound batting side right down to the last man, as the ninth wicket put on 74. runs, and the last wieket added 26. The stand between McLeod and Henderson for the ninth wicket provided the brightest batting of the innings. The wicket by this time had thoroughly dried out, and the English bowlers were beginning to feel the strain of their long ahours in the hot sun. Good Bowlers. The M.C.C. team demonstrated that they have some really good bowlers. Nichols proved that he has a right to be classed as fast. Barratt, Worthington, tnd Allom stood revealed as a trio of iast-medium right-handers, whose deliveries at all times commanded respect. Little Cornford, the Sussex keeper, compared more than favourably with any glove artist who has ever visited this country, not even excepting Blackham, Kelly, or Oldfield. A Record Crowd. It is pleasing to record that up to Saturday night the takings at the gate for the match realised £680., About £llO was taken on Friday, and in the neighbourhood of £570 on Saturday, which spelt an attendance on Saturday of ibout 12,000 spectators. This means that the takings to-day and to-morrow will be all clear profit. The Wellington Innings. Gilligan led the English team on to the field punctually at 11.30 o'clock on Saturday morning, and they were promptly followed by the opening Wellington batsnien, C. 8. Dempster and R. de R. Worker. Nichols, the Essex professional, a fashmedium right-hander, opened to Dempster, and sent down a maiden of good length to Dempster, Cornford, the English wicketkeeper, standing fully twelve yards back. F. Barratt, the Notts professional, who also bowls a fast-medium right-band delivery, with a short run and easy action, took up the bowling from the town eud. Worker notched a single to leg off the first ball, and Dempster chopped the fourth ball of the over down the gully for a couple. Nichols, with a run of about fifteen yards, was rocking them down at a good pace. The Essex man opened with two maidens of excellent length. Cornford stood close up to Barratt’s bowling. A Bad Start.

at 1.15, with the score standing at 67 for three wickets. Airey being 5 and Lowry 4. Wicket Much Faster. On resuming at 2.5, the weather was warm, and the attendance had swelled appreciably. Nichols and Woolley continued the attack. The wicket was now much faster. A fast one from Nichols was touched by Airey. and beat Cornford at short-stop, to go through to the sightscreen, placing the batsman in doubles. , At 82, Allom relieved Nichols. Lowry • reached doubles after having been at the wickets for fifty minutes, and was then taken by Duleepsinhji at second slip off Allom. 85 — A —lo. K. C. James joined Airey, who was 16, and stonewalling tactics continued for some time. At last Woolley, with a beautiful ball, clean bowled Airey, who. had been at the wickets for 80, minutes for 20. 91—5—20. E. McLeod, the University captain, followed, and faced a crowd of ten thousand spectators. McLeod opened confidently, getting Allom away to long-leg for three. James followed suit by getting Woolley away in the same direction for a like number. The Hundred Up. With a single off Allom. James brought the first hundred up after the innings had been in progress for 164 minutes. James reached 20 by prettily leg-gliding the Derbyshire bowler to the pickets. This was the end of a bright innings, however, as. in going for a short one, James' was easily run out by a good return by Legge to Cornford, after Gilligan had stopped the shot with his foot. 125— 6—22.’ H. M. MeGirr joined McLeod, who had just reached doubles, and opened by offdriving Worthington to the ropes. At 130. Nichols relieved Barratt, and MeGirr cut the Essex man for a couple, and late-cut the next ball for four, quickly running into doubles. . The Hutt man’s reign was short, however, as he touched a rearing ball Loin Nichols and I Duleepsinhji took a good catch with one hand high above his head at second slip. 136—7—11. • F. T. Badcoek arrived to see Barratt take the ball from Worthington. Badcock opened by lifting a full toss from Barratt to the fence at long-leg, bringing 140 up. He,scored a single, and then went for a slam at. a fast - one from Niehols, and flew the leather to Woolley at first slip. 142—S—5. A Fine Stand. M. Henderson came in with 25 runs required to head the Englishmen’s score, and two wickets to fall. Henderson got Nichols away to longleg for a\ single, Earle making a splendid return, which landed the ball in Cornford’s gloves from near the boundary. The Institute man snicked the next ball to the sight-screen, bringing 100 in sight, which had occupied 211 minutes. After having been at the wickets for eight overs without having notched a run, McLeod at last got a single off Barratt. The tea adjournment wds taken at 4 o’clock, when the score stood at 154 for eight wickets, McLeod being 11, and Henderson 10. . Flay was resumed at 4.18, when McLeod got five for an overthrow, off Barratt’s boiyling. This brought 160 up. Englishmen’s Score Headed. The score crept up by singles, and there was a great burst of applause when Henderson headed the Englishmen’s score by placing Nicliols to point for a couple. The 166 had taken 230 minutes, as against the 179 minutes taken by the Englishmen. '■ , ' At 174 Worthington relieved Barratt. Both batsmen were now going well, Hen-, derson being 20 and McLeod 19. Henderson hit a fotirer to third man off Worthington, bringing ISO up.' .... Both batsmen were now.playing bright cricket, and 190 soon appeared. Woolley here had a turn, but the runs continued to come. Applause broke up from all round the ground when one from Worthington went off Henderson s pads for four leg-byes, bringing the 200 up for 255 minutes' play. The partnership had now added 58 to the score, and the stand had been responsible for the brightest batting of the innings. Runs continued to come at a steady pace, 210 soon appearing. Allom took a turn in place of Woolley, and there was a delay while McLeod replaced a faulty pad. End of a Spirited Partnership. After having been at the wickets for 115 minutes, McLeod, who had reached 37, was clean bowled by Worthington. He had assisted Henderson to add 74 for the ninth wicket. 216—9 —37. H. B. Massey, the last man, joined Henderson, who was 37, and there was a confident but unsuccessful appeal by Worthington against the Wairarapa man for l.b.w. . Massey turned Worthington to the fence at long-leg, and ran into doubles with a single off the next ball. . At 236. Barratt came on again, in place of Allom, and Worthington caused amusement by playing Soccer at short square-leg as the batsmen stole a single. Henderson raised applause by making himself top-scorer of the match by driving Worthington to the off for a couple and placing him to leg for two. He was then caught by Allom off Worthington. He had been at the wickets for 8/ minutes. and played a really good innings. The innings, which had lasted for 291. minutes, closed for 242, 76 ahead of the Englishmen’s total. The Wellington innings closed at 5.29. England's Second Knock. Gilligan and Dawson opened the Englishmen’s second innings at 5.45. MeGirr took up the bowling from the Newtown end, the first ball going for two leg-byes, which was all that came from the over. Badcock took up the attack from the other end, and sent down a maiden to Gilligan. In McGirr’s second over, Dawson placed him to square-leg for a single, and Gilligan sweetly glided him to the ropes at long-leg. After Badcock had sent down another maiden, Henderson took the ball from MeGirr. Gilligan, who was shaping brightly, turned Henderson to the ropes at squareleg. Massey was given a trial for the first time in the match, relieving Badcock. A single to leg to Dawson was all that came from the over. At 6 o’clock the score stood at 14 for no wickets, Gilligan being 8 and Dawson 4,

The fourth ball of Barratt’s second over proved fatal to Worker, the Hawke's Bay left-hander cocking one up to Nichols at point. 6—l—2.

A. M. Hollings, the Wellington Club representative, filled the vacancy, and opened with a single to leg off Nichols. After having been at the wickets for 33 minutes Dempster reached doubles ■with a .single off Allom. A fast one from Allom bent Dempster and went for four leg-byes, Cornford appealing for leg-before. Hollings, who was shaping well, ran into doubles and brought 30. up with a square-cut for three off Barratt. With 34 up Worthington took the ball from Barratt, who had sent down seven overs for 19 runs and a wicket. The Derbyshire professional, with a run of about twelve yards, sent along 'a righthanded delivery of fast-medium pace, one coining from his qpening over. After sending down five overs for six runt; Allom gave way to Nichols, who served up a good maiden to Hollings. Half-century Goes Up. The half-century went up in 67 minutes. This was the signal for Frank Woolley, the tall Kent left-hander, to come on with slows. Hollings got the slow bowler away to third man twice for a brace. The Kent man met with success, however, as Hollings cocked the fifth ball of his first over up, and Worthington took an easy catch close in at silly mid-off. Hollings had been at the wickets for 41 minutes for his 27 and had assisted Dempster to put on 48 runs for the second wicket. 54 —2—27. . Airey arrived to see Dempster reach 20 after having been at the wickets for in hour and a quarter. Airey was caught it the .wickets off the first ball he received ’rom Woolley, but Umpire Smith ruled n his favour. A Peculiar Happening. The second ball of Nichols’s eighth over inw a peculiar happening. Dempster ■hopped the bail late and it touched he wicket, causing a bail to be slightly isplaced without actually falling off. >ulcepsinhji. who was fielding at second lip. saw what had occurred and ap■Mled. Neither Mr. L. T. Cobcroft, the mpire at the bowler’s end. nor Nichols. ie bowler, had noticed what had hap•ncd. and when Gilligan, the English ptain. appealed to Mr. Cobcroft, the npire exnlained that he hnd not seen c ball hft the wicket. Gilligan therelon appealed to Mr. Smith, the other ipire. who had seen what had happened d he gave Dempster out. The crowd indered what had happened, as it was me considerable time before the batsin left the wicket. Demnster had been the wickets for 105 minutes for his idest score of 20. 56—."—20. Airey Has a Life. T. C. Lowry, the Wellington captain, me next. , Th® tawheon adjournment wa> taken

THE SCORES WELLINGTON.—First Innings. C. 8. Dempster, b. Nichols 20 R. de R. Worker, c. Nichols, b. Barratt 2 A. M. Hollings, c. Worthington, b. Woolley 27 W. F. Airey, b. Woolley 20 T. C. Lowry, c. Duleepsinhji, b. Allom K. C. James, run out 22 E. A. McLeod, b. Worthington .37 H. M. MeGirr, c. Duleepsinhji, b. Nichols HF. T. Badcock, c. Woolley, b. Nichols 5 M. Henderson, c. Allom, b. Worthington 47 H. B. Massey, not out • 10 • Extras —Byes 10, leg-byes 15, no-balls 6 31 Total 242 Fall of wickets: One for 6, two for 54, three for 56, four for 85, five for 91. six for 125, seven for 136, eight for 142, nine for 216, ten for 242.

ENGLAND. First innings 166 Second Innings. A. H. H. Gilligan, not out 8 E. W. Dawson, not out 4 Extras —Leg-byes 22 Total for no nickets- 14

The match will be resumed at 11.30 o’clock this morning, and it is anticipated that there will be another large attendance to-day to see Woolley and Duleepsinhji in action. It is extremely unlikely that these two famous batsnien will fail twice in. the one match. Many people will also be keen to see if Earle can repeat the sensational hitting he did on Friday. CANTERBURY v. M.C.C. HOME TEAM CHOSEN By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, December 15. The Canterbury team to play the M.C.C. team is as follows: —Allen, Burns, Cromb, I. Hamilton, Lester, Merritt, Page, J. Powell, Roberts, Talbot, Simmons. Twelfth man: Harris. The same team will make the northern tour, except that Harris will replace Hamilton and Crawford will be twelfth man. PLAY IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—-Press Ascodation.) Auckland, December 15. Sixth round matches in the Auckland Cricket Association’s senior championship commenced yesterday in fine weather. University, 209 (Garrard 48), met Grafton, 39 .for no wickets. For Grafton, Horspool took five wickets for 44 runs. Ponsonby, 157 (Fletcher 43), met Y.M.C.A., 56 for three. For Y.M.C.A., Elliot took' six wickets for 36 runs. United Suburbs, 154, met Eden; 116 for four wickets (Gillespie 52 not out). For Eden, G. L. Weir took five wickets for 43 runs. Parnell, 167 (Anthony 71) met North Shore, seven for 61. For North Shore, Saunders took five wickets for 44 runs. Playing for Ellerslie in a Suburban Association senior match against Albion, A. Watts scored 106 in 42 minutes. He hit four sixes and nineteen fours. CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, December 15. The fifth round of the senior cricket competition concluded yesterday, Old Boys maintaining their lead from Old Collegians. Old Boys, 352 and 52 for two wickets, beat Riccarton (Powell 57, Evans, not out, 58). Old Collegians, 222 (Lester, not out, 69), defeated St. Albans. 137 and 173 for three wickets (Crawford 52, Woods 49). Linwood, 334. beat East Christchurch 227 (Millian 50, Kennedy 88). West Christchurch, 162. lost to Sydenham. 217 and 126 for seven wickets. Alexander (four wickets for 33 runs for West) and Newman (seven for 52 for Sydenham) had the best bowling averages during the day. DUNEDIN. Dunedin, December 15. Senior erieket matches were played under excellent conditions yesterday. Carisbrook, 157 (Jacobs 31. Blunt 30), secured a two-point win over Grange, 129 and 84 for six wickets. For Grange, Elm.es took six wickets for 54 runs and for Carisbrook 'Dunning captured four for 23. Dunedin, 140 (Strang 33), gained a two-point win over Old Boys, 98 and two for 86 (Gale 45). For Old Boys. Leader took two wickets for 12 runs, Moloney three for 28 and A. W. Alloo three for 40. , NELSON. » ■ . Dominion ai Service Nelson, December 14. Old Boys and Wakatu had a close finish in a small-scoring game, Wakatu winning bv two wickets. On the first day, Old Boys made 64 and Wakatu 102, and in the second innings Old Boys lost two wickets for 70, whicli was increased to-day to 103 (Blincoe 22). McIlvray took one wicket for 38 runs and Searell four for 17. Requiring 66 to win, Wakatu Jost eight wickets (Langbein 11. Oliver 15, Wilkes 12). J. Newman took five wickets for 21 runs. Athletic beat College by. two wickets.

Al On The. GW

BOWLING ANALYSIS. W. 0. M. R. Nichols .... 22 7 53 3 Barra ft .... 19 3 44 1 Alloni 15 6 21 1 Worthington . 14.3 1 54 2 Woolley .... 19 5 39 2

BOWLING ANALYSIS. W. 0. M. K. McGirr .. 2 0 7 0 Badcock .. 2 2 0 0 Henderson .. 1 0 4 0 Massey» .... .. 1 0 1 0