FIRST CRICKET TEST

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 82, 31 December 1929, Page 10

FIRST CRICKET TEST

NEW ZEALAND ELEVEN SELECTED THE PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH CANTERBURY POSSESSES A FIGHTING CHANCE The New Zealand selectors—Messrs. F. Williams (Otago), H. B. White (Canterbury), W. S. Brice (Wellington), and N. C. Sneddon (Auckland) —who have been viewing form in the AucklandOtago and Canterbury-Wellington Plunket Shield matches, met in Wellington last evening and selected the following team to represent New Zealand against England in the first test match, to commence at Christchurch on January 10:— T. C. Lowry (Hawke’s Bay) R. C. Blunt (Otago) K. C. James (Wellington) J. E. Mills (Auckland) M. Henderson (Wellington) A. W. Roberts. (Canterbury) F. T. Badcock, (Wellington) M. L. Page (Canterbury) C. S. Dempster (Wellington) W. E. Merritt (Canterbury) G. R. Dickinson (Otago) E. A. McLeod (Wellington), twelfth man. A STRONG COMBINATION SELECTORS DO • THEIR WORK WELL

It must be admited that the selectors have done their work well, and have chosen their men on form, and not on reputation. The team includes, in Lowry. James, Henderson, Dempster, Blunt, Mills, Page, and Merrit,t no fewer than eight members of the New Zealand team which toured England in 1927. F. T. Badcock, it will be remembered, was also chosen to accompany the team ' to England, but was unable to make the trip. . , This only leaves two new men in the team, and of these everyone will admit that Dickinson, the Otago fast bowler, is entitled to hii place. Dickinson is the only fast bowler, and probably the only really fast bowler, the Domiinon has ever produced. In addition to this, he is a courageous, hard-hitting batsman, and a fast-moving and tireless fieldsman. Dickinson is an all-round athlete, as he has also had the distinction of representing New Zealand on the Rugby football field. The other pew member on the side is A. W. Roberts, of Canterbury, who proved by his half-century in each innings for Canterbury against Wellington in the Plunket Shield match now in progress a_t the Basin Reserve, that he is a batsman of class. Roberts has represented Canterbury for several seasons past. He plays for the Riccarton Club, for whom

BATTLE FOR PLUNKET SHIELD

WELLINGTON IN COMFORTABLE POSITION; CANTERBURY FIGHTING HARD

Play in the Canterbury-Wellington Plunket Shield match at the Basin Reserve yesterday was crowded with incidents, and fluctuated in a manner which kept public interest at a high pitch. In reply to Wellington’s opening knock of 366, Canterbury responded yesterday with 209. This gave the local eleven a commanding lead of 157 runs on the first innings, but so well did the southerners bowl that Wellington at one stage had five wickets down for 85 runs, and the game had swung round in Canterbury’s favour. Spirited innings by Lowry, Mc--Girr and Airey, however, redeemed the earlier failures, and enabled the local team to reach 250. Faced with the big hurdle of making 409 runs to win in the fourth innings of the match, the Canterbury men set about their task in such resolute fashion that at drawing or stumps last night they had 102 runs on for the loss of two wickets. To-day s play should be full of interest, as Canterbury require 306 runs to win with eight wickets in hand.

Canterbury at the Wickets. With five wickets down for 142, Talbot (20) and Lester (8) resumed Canterbury’s first innings at 11 o'clock yesterday morning. There was brilliant sunshine, with a light northerly breeze, and the turf was looking a picture after Sunday's downpour. Badcock took up the bowling from the southern end, and Talbot got a couple to leg through bad fielding by Lambert. McGirr bowled with the breeze, and Lester reached doubles by turning the Hutt man to leg for a couple. The same batsman brought 150 up by turning one from McGirr to leg for a couple, but this was the end of the Old Collegian, as Mackcnzie took a smart catch in the slips off the next ball. 150 —6 —12. Powell joined Talbot, who was 24, and the tall Riccarton right-hander opened bv cutting McGirr square to the ropes. In McGirr’s fifteenth over Talbot ran into the thirties and brought 160 up by offdriving one to the track. In Badcock’s next over Powell drove one clean through Lamason at cover to the Pickets. This was his last scoring shot, however, as Badcock beat him al the way with the next delivery, 161—i Merritt came next, and arrived to see Hope take the ball from McGirr, whose seventeen overs had resulted in ol runs and three wickets. The Soogly bowler opened by off-driving Hope foi th ee. With 172 up, Lambert took the ball from Badcock, who bad taken three wickets for 26 runs off nineteen overs. Talbot snicked one from Hope to the fence at long-leg, and a leg-bye brought 180 up. . Talbot in Form. Talbot, who was going well, ran into the forties, and Merritt reached doubles by turning Hope to leg for three. At 18J Lambert gave way to Badcock. After just reaching doubles, Merritt played a rising ball from Hope back up the pitch, and the bowler, with a supreme effort, dived and took a good catch close to the ground. 195—8 —10. Burns joined Talbot, who was 40, and the latter reached his half-century and brought 200 up by turning one from Hope cleverly to the fence at long-leg. This was the end of a bright innings, however, as Talbot touched the next ball from Hope, and it cannoned off James’s gloves at long-stop into Mackenzie’s hands in the slips. Talbot had shaped confidently and well, finding the boundary seven times. 201—9—50. Simmonds, the last man. joined Burns, who got four for a snick through the slips off Hope. The innings, which had lasted 185 minutes, terminated at 12.10 for 209, when Burns drove one hack into Badcock’s hands. j Good Bowling.

The Wellington bowling was good throughout, and Lowry rang the changes frequently. Badcoek put up a superb performance in capturing four wickets for 29 runs off 21 overs, six of which were maidens. McGirr also bowled very steadily in faking three for 50 off fifteen overs, and Hope rendered valuable service in capturing two for 60 off fourteen overs.

Wellington’s Second Knock. Lowry and Dempster opened Wellington’s second innings at 12.30, with a com-

he hit up 175 this season. Roberts can also take a turn with the ball, and proved on Saturday and again yesterday that he is a fast-moving fieldsman who can save many runs. A tried and true performer who will 'be missed from the side is H. M. McGirr, of Wellington, who did so well for the New Zealand team in England in 1927, and who has shown, outstanding form with bat and. ball in the Plunket Shield match now in progress here. The team on paper looks to be the strongest combination which has ever represented the Dominion, and hopes will beat high that they will be able to defeat the M.C.C. , team in the first Test match next month. „ „ r It is pleasing to see that T. C. Lowry, who will captain the New Zealand team, has at last played himself into batting foxpi. He shaped in fine style against Canterbury at the Basin Reserve yesterday, and should be about at his best by the time the first Test match comes round.

The batting is sound down to the last man, and with such a bowling string as Dickinson, Henderson, Badcock, Merritt, and Blunt, the side should be able to more than hold .their own with the English team.

in the present series of' Test games, it will greatly increase the interest which will be taken in their next tour through England in 1931.

fortable lead of 157 on the first innings. The first incident of note was' a four to Lowry to long-leg off a no-ball by Lester, and the Wellington captain cut the next delivery crisply to the pickets, running into doubles. Dempster Clean Bowled. Four byes off Cromb and a square-cut for four by' Dempster oft Lester saw 20 come up in quarter of an hour. In the same oyer, Dempster was caught in two minds-“with the result that he was beaten and bowled by Lester. 23 —I—7.' James eame next, and opened by hooking Cromb to long-leg for four. Lowry brought 30 by pulling Lester loftily to the ropes at mid-on. '• The Deadly Merritt. At 32, Merritt took the. ball from ■ Cromb, and had James caught in the slips by Cromb off the very first ball he sent down. 32—2—4. Mackenzie joined Lowry, who was 15, and the luncheon adjournment was taken with the score standing at 37 for the loss of two wickets. Lowry being 15 and Mackenzie 3. Upon resuming at 1.45, Simmondb and Merritt resumed the attack. Lowry started confidently, turning Simmonds to the ropes at long-leg, and on-driving him to the track. A Good Catch. In Merritt’s sixth over Mackenzie banged one to square-leg, and Talbot took a good catch close in at the second attempt. 56—3—9. Badcock partnered his captain, who was 27, and the former opened with a lucky mishit for three through the slips off Merritt. Facing Simmons, Badcock powerfully off-drove one to the fence at long-off. Badcock opened out to Merritt, lifting one for six over the fence in front of the stand, thirteen coming from the over. This put Badcock in the twenties, and brought 80 up. In Simmons’s next over he beat and bowled Badcock with one of length, which made pace from the pitch. The retiring batsman had rattled his 24 on in quick- time by taking his life in his hands. 84- -4 24. Lamason eame next, but did not last long, as Merritt clean bowled him before he could open an account. 85 — 5— Lambert filled the vacancy, and watched Lowry shove the score along with well-placed shots. Lambert opened out, and banged Simmonds to the fence at longoff. ' / A Hundred Up. The 100 came up after 75 minutes' play. Roberts was applauded for travelling fast to make a right-handed pick-up off a hot shot by Lowry at long on. Two runs came from the stroke, which placed the Wellington captain in the forties. He then cut Merritt square to the ropes, and banged Lester past cover to the fence, reaching his half-century in 85 minutes. With the total at 128, Lambert, who had reached 17, let out at one from Lester, and had his sticks scattered. 128— 6— The partnership had added 43 for the sixth wicket. End of a Good Innings. McGirr joined his captain, only to sec Lowry play one from Lester on to his sticks. The Wellington captain had shaped very soundly for bis 59, which included eight boundary strokes. All through his ninety-minutes’ stay at the wickets he had dominated the situation. 133—7—59. A Spirited Stand. Airey joined McGirr, and opened with four to leg off Lester, and followed this up by cutting the same bowler to the ropes. At 154, Simmonds relieved _ Lester against the northerly breeze, which had now freshened considerably. Airey banged the new bowler to long-leg for four. McGirr jumped out, and banged Merritt to the ropes at long-off, reaching doubles. Airey was going strongly, and soon ran into the twenties with a powerful offdrive at Simmonds’s expense. McGirr then turned the same bowler to the longleg boundary. At 180 Cromb relieved Merritt, whose

eighteen overs had resulted in 57 runs and three wickets. Both men were going well, and were putting the runs on at a brisk pace. McGirr banged Simmonds to the boundary at long-on, and Airey smacked him to long-leg and off-drove him to the track. The partnership had now added over 60 runs. Runs were coming fast. McGirr banged a full toss from Cromb to the fence at mid-on, and cut the next delivery (a iKj-ball) square for four. Two Hundred Appear*. The 200 was soon hoisted, and at 208 Harris took the ball from Simmonds. Four to leg helped Airey’s score along.. Merritt came on again in Cromb s place, and soon bowled Airey, who had given a dashing display for 47, which included a sixer and six fourers. The Wellington colt had assisted McGirr to add 84 for the eighth wicket in a partnership which had redeemed the earlier failures. 217—8—47. Henderson joined McGirr, who was do, and arrived to see the Hutt man clout Harris to the ropes at long-leg, bringing 220 up. McGirr then cut Harris sweetly for four, reaching the forties. At 235 Lester came on again, relieving Harris. The luncheon adjournment was taken with the score standing at 239 for eight wickets, McGirr being 45 and Henderson 7. > On resuming Merritt and Simmonds took up the attack. Applause went up all round the ground when McGirr reached his half-century. At 252 Henderson, who had reached 'nine, foolishly ran himself out by starting for an impossible run. 252 9 9. Hope arrived to see McGirr clean bowled- by ' Simmonds.' The Hutt captain had given a sparkling display, nine fourers figuring in his score of 57. Merritt again proved the pick of the Canterbury bowlers? his tally being four for 74 off 24 overs. . Simmonds, Lester and Cromb all kept a good length and were very steady. A Big Hurdle. Requiring 408 runs to win, Cromb and Allen opened Canterbury’s second innings at 4.20 p.m., McGirr and Badcock taking up the attack. Cromb hooked McGirr to long-leg for four, -bringing 10 up. With the total at 12 Cromb was beaten all the way by a swinger from McGirr. 12 —I—B.1—8. Roberts came next and opened by slamming McGirr through the covers to the ropes. Careful play saw 2G .up, and this was the signal for Henderson to relieve McGirr. Steady play saw 38 come up, and here Lowry took the ball from Badcock, whose ten overs had only cost 11 runs. The Wellington captain delivered one from about four yards behind the bowling crease, and the next ball Roberts drove to extra long-on for four. The same batsman then got Henderson through the slips to the track, running into the twenties.' A Finished Batsman. Roberts was giving a taste of the quality he revealed in the first innings, and soon ran to the thirties by turning one from Lowry to the ropes at long-leg. He then guided Henderson through the slips for four. This brought 50 up for 65 minutes’ play. In Lowry’s fourth over Roberts drove one past cover to the pickets, and the Wellington captain, whose four overs bad cost 18 runs, gave way a"t 65 to Badcock. The first ball of Henderson’s eighth over proved fatal to Allen, James taking a catch' at short-stop. The Riccarton colt had shaped very stubbornly for his 17, which assisted Roberts«to put on_ss runs for the second wicket? 67—2—17. Page, the Canterbury captain, came next, and played one to Badcock at cover, who threw at the wicket, and the ball travelled through to the boundary, giving the batsman four for the stroke. Roberts then banged Badcock past mid-off to the fence, bringing 80 in sight. Hope here had a try in place of Henderson, whose ten overs had cost 21 runs. A leg-glide to the fence by Page off Hope was a neat stroke. When 92 appeared, with five minutes to go, Lambert had a turn at Hope’s end. Roberts reached his half-century for the second time in the match by guiding Henderson through the slips for four. Four byes in the same over brought the hundred up for 100 minutes’ play. When stumps were drawn at 6 o’clock, the score stood at 102 for two wickets, Roberts being 52 and Page 14. CANTERBURY.—First. Innings. I. B. Cromb, c. McGirr, b. Badcock 25 P. Allen, b. Badcock 2 A. W. Roberts, c. Lowry, b. McGirr 54 M L. Page, c. Badcock, b. McGirr 17 R. O. Talbot, c. Mackenzie, b. Hope 50 C. M. Harris, c. Lamason, b. Lambert 4 S. V. Lester, c. Mackenzie, b. McGirr 12 J. L. Powell, b. Badcock 11 W. E. Merritt, c. and b. Hope .... 10 R \ C. Burns, c. and b. Badcock .. 8 G. Simmonds, not out 0 Extras—Byes 8, leg-bye 1, noballs 7 16 1 Total ' ..... 209 Fall of wickets: One for 8, two for 66, three for 102, four for 107, five for 124, six for 150, seven for 167, eight for 195, nine for 201, ten for 209.

Second Innings. I. B. Cromb, b. McGirr 8 P. Allen, c James, b Henderson .. 17 A. W. Roberts, not out 52 M. L. Page, not out 14 Extras—Byes 5, leg-byes 3, noballs 3 11 Total, for two wickets 102 Fall of wickets: One for 12, two for 67.

First innings, nine wickets for 366 (Innings declared closed.) Second Innings. C. S. Dempster, b. Lester _7 T. C. Lowry, b. Lester . 59 K. C. James, c. Cromb, b. Merritt . I R. 11. C. Mackenzie, e. Talbot, b. Merritt 9 F. T. Badcock, b. Simmonds 24 J. R. Lamason, b. Merritt 0 11, M. McGirr, b. Simmonds 57 W. F. Airey, b. Merritt 47 M. Henderson, run out 9 Lambert, b. Lester 17 Hope, not out 6 Byes* 17 Total 250 Fall of wickets: One for 23, two tor 32, three for 56, four for 84, five for 85, six for 128. seven for 135. eight for 217, nine for 250. ten for .250.

AUCKLAND TEAM CHOSEN. , By Telegraph Press Assuciatiob ■ Auckland, December 30. The following is the Auckland Plunkct Shield team, to play Canterbury here on Friday:—Garrard (captain), Anthony, Badelev (Hamilton), Elliott, Gillespie, Matheson, Mills, Rowntree, Weir; Metisley, Whitelaw and Smeeton (twelfth man). —

HAWKE CUP CHALLENGE TARANAKI & MANAWATU Dominion Speciai Skrviof Palmerston North, December 30. Manawatu will reply to the third challenge for the Hawke Cup this season on New Year’s Day, when a Taranaki eleven will visit Palmerston North. The Manawatu team will be the same as that which successfully defended the Cup against Poverty Bay last week, except that Diedrich will replace Olliver, which should strengthen the bowling considerably. Pacey, Greig, and Cutler are not available. The team will be as follows:—A. M. Ongley (captain), W. Norris, A. McVicar, N. Gallichan (Palmerston North), L Spring, E. Fletcher, M. O’Keefe, G. Diedrich (Old Boys), B. Broughton (R.S.A.), Ongley (High School), and H. Baumber (Horowhenua). C. Eglinton (Old Boys) will be twelfth man. Taranaki will be represented by C. N. Kingstone (New Plymouth), O. M. Nasmith (New Plymouth), C. G. Clarke (New Plymouth), O. Lash (New Plymouth Old" Boys), G. L. Ewart (New Plymouth Old Boys), L. Petty (New Plymouth Old Boys), Stan. Giddy (Tarurutangi), J. Cheevers (Hawera Old Boys), H. Barker (Hawera Old Boys), C. Sturrock (Hawera High School), R. Eden (Okaiawa). Reserves: H. F. Fookes (New Plymouth Old Boys), S. Betts (Kaponga), ■J. Sarten (Tikorangi), F. J. Eggleton (New Plymouth Old Boys), M. Andrews (New Plymouth High School), G. Maloney (Hawera Old Boys). DONAGHUE’S ELEVEN AT GISBORNE LOCAL ‘SIDE COLLAPSES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, December 30. An astonishing collapse by the local side in the second innings, followed by fine batting by B. Massey, gave Donoghue s Wellington eleven a six wickets’ win over Povertv Bay B. Wellington scored 153 in the first innings, Robertson carrying his bat for 24. Poverty Bay made 83 only in the second. G. Clifton hitting a breezy 39 not out. Massey (five for 25) and I- ortune (three for 33) bowled excellently. Requiring 104 to win, Wellington lost three for 73 (Capstick 17, Griffiths 11, Ward 10, Doneghue 14). but Massey (77) and Hepburn (31), added 97 In an unfinished partnership. Massey played brilliantly, hitting two sixes and eight fours, but gave a chance. O. R. Olsen took four wickets tor (10. THIRD GRADE FIXTURES Third grade fixtures for Saturday, January 4, are as follow: — J A. section.—Petone A v. Petonc B, at Petoue; Kllbirnle B v. Midland, at Wakefield No. 2; Sentoun B v. Karori, at Wakefield No. 3: United B v. United A, at Wakefield No. 4; Sentoun A a bye. B section.—Hutt A v. Hutt B, .at Hutt, Old Bovs v. Kilbirnic A, at Kllbirnle No. 0: Khandallah v. Kaiwarra, at Kllbirnle No. 4; Railway v. Institute, at Lyall Bay No. 3. WAIRARAPA TEAM TO MEET WELLINGTON. Dominion Special Service. Mastertoll, December 30. A special return cricket match is to be played at Wellington between Wairarapa and Wellington on Thursday next. The following Wairarapa team has been chosen:—E. O. Blamires (captain), J. Burt, D. Falloon, J. Hornabrook, K. Montgomery, Morton, A. Patrick. H. Trapp, K. Uttley, P. Wntts, B. Whitburn, and J. Denby (twelfth man).

BOWLING MeGirr ANALYSIS. W. 3 0. 15 m. K. 50 Badcock 21 6 29 4 Hope 14 1 60 o Henderson .... 9 3 23 0 Lambert 7 1 31 1

BOWLING ANALYSIS. W. 1 McGirr 0. 0 M. 2 R. 26 Badcock 13 4 17 0 Henderson ... .. 11 2 1 Lowry Hope 4 0 18 0 1 4 0 Lambert .... 1 0 1 0 WELLINGTON.

BOWLING ANALYSIS. 0. M. R. W. Cromb .... 8 2 26 0 Lester .... 11 4 56 3 Merritt ... 24 V 74 4 Simmonds . 16.5 3 64 w Harris .... 4 0 16 0