M.C.C.’s SOLID SCORE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 13

M.C.C.’s SOLID SCORE

Match Against New Zealand SEVEN WICKETS FOR 334 Century to Wyatt; Ames 97 HAMMOND AND LEYLAND GO CHEAPLY Winning the toss, tlie M.C.C. team held possession of tiny easy wicket all day at the Basin Reserve yesterday in their match against the New Zealand eleven and ran up 33-1 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Heavy rain about 7 o’clock yesterday morning had rendered the wicket dead easy, but the Englishmen were very cautious and batting was deadly slow until a great stand by "Wyatt and Ames put on 115 for tlie sixth wicket, carrying the total from 162 to 277. Wyatt topped the English score and showed a very solid defence during his stay of 2SS minutes. His 144 included 13 boundary strokes. Ames, who gave the brightest display of the side, had bad luck in failing to reach his century. He was at the wickets for 103 minutes for his 97, which included 13 fours.

The New Zealand bowling was steady without being dangerous. Dunning bowled very steadily in sending down 37 overs for 74 runs and one • wicket. Cowie, too, kept a good length in capturing one for 46 off 22 overs. Vivian, who took two for 60 off 24 overs, and Page, who captured two for 38 off 11 overs, met with most success. The New Zealand fielding was good, brilliant catches being taken by Hadlee, Dunning and Wallace. The last-named gained frequent applause for his smart ground work and accurate returns to the wicketkeeper. Copson was twelfth man for the M.C.C. team, and Donnelly for New New Zealand. A Quiet Start. Allen, the English captain, won the toss, and Wyatt and "Worthington opened the M.C.C. innings punctually at 11.30 a.m. Cowie took up the attack with a fairlystiff northerly breeze behind him. He displayed a fair turn of speed,, and some of his deliveries reared up off the pitch, the second ball rapping "Wyatt on the thigh. Roberts took up the bowling from the other end, and Dunning dropped Wyatt at inid-on off the third ball. Th bowlers kept a go_pd length, and it took 20 minutes before 10 appeared, both batsmen having scored five. In Cowie’s fifth over, Worthington reached double figures by turning one neatly to the fence at long-leg.

With 19 up in 30 minutes Vivian relieved Cowie, whose five overs had cost 11 runs. The Auckland slow left-hander opened with an accurate maiden to "Worthington. After being at the wickets for 34 minutes Wyatt reached double figures with a square-cut for a single off Roberts, Moljmev being applauded for a clean right-handed pick-up which cut off a boundary.

The batsmen had now got the pace of the pitch and runs started to come at a brisker pace. A hook to the pickets by Worthington off Vivian was a good stroke. With the total at 29 Dunning took the ball from Roberts, who had sent down seven overs for 14 runs. Wyatt brought 30 up in 45 minutes by banging one from Dunning to the ropes at squareleg. In Vivian's fifth over, one whipped across from leg, and Worthington touched it to Roberts in the slips. The Derbyshire man had shaped soundly for his 15. The first wicket fell for 33 in 47 minutes. More Slow Play. Hardstaff joined Wyatt, wjio was 18, and another spell of slow play’followed, brightened by Wyatt cutting one from Vivian square to the ropes. Hardstaff opened with a crisp on-drive for four off Dunning, which brought the 50 up for an hour's play.

With the total at 60, Moloney took the ball from Vivian, whose nine overs had resulted in 16 runs and a wicket.

After bowling three overs for nine runs Moloney gave way to Cowie. With the total at 73. Wage, the New Zealand captain, relieved Dunning, whose ten overs had. cost 17 runs. Hardstaff greeted Page by lifting his first ball over the long-on boundary for six. At the luncheon adjournment one wicket was down for 80, Wyatt being 42, and Hardstaff 18. On resuming at 1.45, Cowie and Roberts took up the bowliqg. All that eame off four, overs was a single to Wyatt. "Give him a yorker, Robbie,” yelled a wag from the western bank a; the maidens continued. Hardstaff late-cut one from Cowie through the slips for four, placing him in the twenties. Even then only six runs were scored in 20 minutes. A Smart Catch. With the total at 89, Hardstaff drove one to Hadlee at cover, and the fieldsman took a good catch close to the ground. Hardstaff had been at the wckets for 68 minutes for his 22, and two wickets were now down for SO, Vivian having secured both for 19 runs. •Joined by Fishlock, Wyatt ran to his half-century after having been at the wickets for 121 minutes. Wyatt was limping as lie ran between the wickets, the strain he suffered in the fifth Test match at Melbourne evidently troubling him again.

Dunning had a try in place of Roberts. and, after a quiet spell, Wyatt twice drove Vivian to the ropes through the covers. This placed Wyatt in the sixties and brought 100 up m 130 minutes.

When 62, Wyatt played one to Hadlee at cover, and had a narrow escape, as the fieldsman just failed to got to the ball. Fishlock then straight-drove Vivian to the sight-screen. Runs were coming now. Wyatt drove one from Duninng to thg track at long-on and a little later repeated the stroke.

At 128 Page relieved Cowie, who had bowled steadily, and 130 came up at 3 o'clock. A square-cut by Fishlock off Dunning went fast to the ropes. With the total at 137 Fishloek, who had been at the wickets for 52 minutes for 14, was caught at mid-on by Weir off Page at the second attempt. Two Stars Fall. W. It. Hammond, the star batsman of the M.C.C. side, was given a rousing re. ception as he came through the gate to partner Wyatt, who was 79. A "flyer” from Cowie made Wyatt duck his head just in time. The 150 came up in 190 minutes, and then. Io the disappointment of the crowd, Hammond hit one from Cowie straight to Wallace at cover, and was out for 4. Cowie hail taken one for 23 off 17 overs.

Leyland joined Wyatt, who was BS, and the latter ran into the nineties with a .sweet late-cut for four off Cowie. He was applauded on repeating the stroke in the same over, bringing 1(10 up. This made Wyatt 98. I’agc relieved Dunning, who had bowled with great heart over a long spell, and the change was at once effective, Leyland skying a toll toss to Vivian at mid-on. The crowd were disappointed to see such renowned batsmen a.s Hammond and Leyland go so cheaply. A Great Stand. Ames, the Kent wicketkeeper, joined Wvntt who got a single off 1 it inn, making his score 99. Ames opened with four through the covers oil 1 man. 1 lie ten adjournment was taken with the board showing 167 for five wickets, Wyatt bein'- 99 and Ames 4. On resumption Page took up the bowl-

lug, and applause broke out from uU round the ground when Wyatt reached his hundred with a single off the first ball. He had been at the wickets for- 210 minutes.

Roberts bowled with the wind, and Ames reached double figures with a four past cover and three to long-on off Roberts. At 184 Vivian replaced Roberts and Wyatt cut the left-hander square for four. Dunning relieved Page and Ames hooked the Otago man for four to squareleg, bringing 190 in sight. 200 Up. The 200 came up at 4.20, Wyatt being 115 and Ames 22. The innings had beei' in progress for 232 minutes. Moloney had a turn with the ball, but seven came off his over, bringing 210 up. This brought Cowie on again. Cowie was making the new ball swing, but Wyatt did some neat late-cutting off the fast bowler. The pair were now going well and runs came freely despite frequent changes of bowling. The partnership put on 50 in 31 minutes, aud they continued to score at a steady rate. The 250 came up in 269 minutes, Wyatt being 136 and Ames 50. Ames had run to his half-century in 64 minutes. Weir here had a turn with the ball for the first time, and Ames powerfully cut his first ball to the pickets. Ames was shaping like a batsman in form, and ran into the sixties with a powerful drive to the fence at long-on off Vivian. _ The partnership had now put on 100 in 74 minutes. With the total at 277 Wyatt’s long innings came to a close. He late-cut one from Weir and Dunning took a brilliant right-handed catch in the slips. Wyatt had been at the wickets for 288 minutes for his 144, and found the boundary 13 times. He well deserved the ovation he received on returning to the pavilion. He had assisted Ames to put on 115 for the sixth wicket. Allen, the English captain, joined Ames, 11'110 was 67, and the run-getting continued. Ames quickly ran into the eighties with powerful strokes all round the wicket. The 300 came up in 297 minutes, and Ames then ran into the nineties with a sweet square-cut to the fence off Weir. End of Sparkling Innings. With the total at 314, Ames, who required only three runs to reach his century, was taken by a left-handed catch by Vivian off Dunning. Ames had been at the wickets for 103 minutes for his 97, and hit 13 fours. Seven wickets were now down for 314. Verity came next, and opened with a pretty leg-glide to the ropes off Weir, and Allen bangtd the same bowler past cover to the fence. When stumps were drawn at 6 p.m. the board showed 334 for seven wickets, Allen being 14 and Verity S. The match will be continued at 11.30 a.m. to-day. Following are the scores: — M.C.C— First Innings. R E. S. Wvatt, c. Dunning, b. Weir . 144 T.' S Worthington, c. Roberts, b. Vivian 15 J. Hardstaff, e. Hadlee, b. Vivian ... 22 L. B. Fishlock, c. Weir, b. Page ... 14 W, R. Hammond, c. Wallace, b. Cowie 4 M. Levland, c. Vivian, I>. Page 1 L. E. G. Ames, e. Vivian, b. Dunning !h O. B. Allen, not out 14 H. Verity, not out ..... 8 Extras —Byes S. leg-byes C, no-balls 1 111 Total for seven -wickets 334 Fall of wickets: One for 33, two for S'J, three for 137. four for 151, five for IG2, six for 277, seven for 314. Bowling Analysis.

BREEZY SPEECHES Cricketers Reply to Welcome Quite the brightest interludes at a reception by the Yorkshire Society of New Zealand, in association with the Men of Kent and Kentish Men, at the Hotel St. George last night to four members of the M.C.C. team who come from these counties, were the speeches they made in reply to the welcome given theni. The cricketers were L. E. G. Ames, who plays for Kent, W. R. Hammond, who was born in Kent and who represents Gloucestershire at cricket, and M. Leyland and H. Verity, of Yorkshire. Mr. Karl Atkinson, president of the Yorkshire Society of New Zealand, presided over a large attendance.

“To-night,” said Mr. Atkinson, “we have a bit of old England with us, and we welcome men who have shed lustre on their respective counties.” After paying a special tribute to Leyland and Verity, he consoled the English cricketers on their loss of the Ashes by saying that although they had been defeated they had acquitted themselves as thorough sportsmen. The fortunes of the cricket field were best expressed in the lines: “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, “If England can’t win ’em “Then the Aussies must.” (Laughter).

Dr. 6. J. Reakes, speaking for the Society of Men of Kent and Kentish Men. said the people of Kent were very proud of Ameg and Hammond. The cricketers replied in turn as follows :—

Leyland: “This speech is going to be even shorter than my innings to-day. (Laughter). I forgot to chalk my cue before I went in. It is very nice to find so many people in NSv Zealand who can speak our language.” Verity: “Hard as we tried to win the Ashes, we could not quite do it. Now that the tumult and the shouting has died we find it very enjoyable to come to New Zealand. Maurice Leyland and I have travelled about a quarter of a million miles together, and I don't think we have exchanged a warm word—except, perhaps, when we play golf.”

Ames: “Walter Hammond was born in Kent, but ran away to play for Gloucester at the age of five. I am beginning to get tired of apologising to the people of Kent for him. New Zealand seems to be quieter than Australia, and the cricket—l don’t want to be rude—is much easier.” (Laughter).

Hammond, who had to leave early for another engagement, had no opportunity of making a speech. Ames was presented by Dr. Reakes with a bouquet of hops, his county, Kent, being famous for the quality of its hops. During the evening songs were sung by Miss Gladys Webb and Messrs. Roy Hill and L. Stapp, Mr. Clement Howe being the accompanist.

SELECTION OF GALLICHAN Otago Criticism of Method Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, March 24. Dissatisfaction with the method by which N. Gallichan, the Manawatu lefthander, has at the eleventh hour been included in the New Zealand team to tour England, was expressed by prominent cricket officials. One official said that the manner in lyhich Gallichan had been given his place must create the impression that his addition to the side had been "engineered." Gallichan was a left-hander and not a slow bowler of a recognised type, and if the selectors had been given the opportunity to choose a slow bowler without any suggestion from the team or management committee as to the identity of the man for the position they might have an entirely different view and given L. Groves, the Otago slow bowler, a chance. This criticism!, however, was mild compared with that of another official, who described the selection of Gallichan as distinctly unfair. “It is another classic example,” he declared, “of Otago being overlooked.” To select a man in this way implied a vote of no-confidence in the selectors, and the whole procedure was wrong. In Groves Otago had a mail whose record was such that he had

greater claims than any other player if a slow bowler was required. To allow members of the team to select the additional man was opposed to all rules under which the game of cricket was conducted.

0. M. R. \V. o«> Y 46 1 Roberts • ••• .... 17 .> 40 0 Diinnin’ 1 ' ... .... 37 s 74 1 .... 24 s 60 2 .... 11 3 38 •» Moloney • •• 0 20 0 AVeir .... 11 0 41 1 Umpires: Messrs. 0. R. Montgomery and C- Moore.