MELBOURNE TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 7 February 1927, Page 5

MELBOURNE TOUR

CENTUEY TO RANSFORD

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 6th February. After a day's slow batting the visiting Melbourne cricketers managed to obtain a lead of 24 runs over Auckland on the hrst innings. The game was continued in fane weather; the wicket was in good order, although it began to crumble as the day went on. In the afternoon there was a crowd of between 7000 and 8000. In reply to Auckland's first innings total of 284, Melbourne made 308, of which V S Ransford contributed 100. Eden Park seems to be the Victorian veteran's lucky ground, for every time he has played on it he has made a century. Auckland commenced their second innings a quarter of an hour before time and at the close of play had lost one wicket for 21. After the luncheon adjournment Sandford went forward to smother the fourth ball, but it nipped in and clean bowled him.. 122—5-r-29.

Partnered . by.. Ransford, Onyons continued to bat steadily and soon passed his half-century. Then a solid innings ended.

Onyons played forward to Player and sent up a catch to Monteith. 126—6—51. Ransford was very cautious and awaited opportunities to score on the leg side, while Johnstone, the newcomer, seemed to have difficulty in timing the ball. The return of Player to the bowline; crease brought about the separation. On the last ball of Players-first over the batsman was completely beaten by a good length ball. 165-7—20. "

A ball from Allcott came up sharply; Wood snicked it, and Anthony took a fine catch in the slips. 206—8—6.

Ransford was playing delightful cricket, keeping a perfectly straight bat and using a beautiful glance. A finer exposition of this shot has never been seen at Eden

P«rk since the days when S. G. Smith' was at his prime. With Rodgerson go. ing for the bowling and Ransford georine it seemed, when it pleased him, the total mounted rapidly. Just before tea Dacre sent up an over of full-tosses in an endeavour to break the partnership, but Ransford kept them along the ground and the score was 241 for eight wickets when the adjournment was taken.

After tea the batting was somewhat scratchy. Ransford was wary when facing Allcott, and Matheson beat Rodgerson twice in one over. The total was gradually creeping towards Auckland's

score ]o£.. 284, Rodgerson hit out at Anthony when the Parnell man relieved Allcott, and he-also used the long handle against Mathesou. His driving was powerful and. well; placed. Ransford ■ nearly played one on to his wicket. Rodgerson hit out at a breaking ball from- Butler, misjudged it, and it went spinning into the air. Gillespie took the catch, which ended the best partnership of the match. 283—0—43. -■■■■■.

The appearance of W. Armstrong was the; signal for prolonged applause, and he reached. the wicket to see Ransford put his side ahead by driving Butler to the boundary—a beautifully-timed stroke. Racsford was drawing ' near his century, and with a neat off-drive ofi; Allcott, he reached the three-figures. 'He opened his shoulders to the next ball, and was clean bowled. ■ ■ ..-:.■-.

' The innings closed for 308,- leaving the visitors 24' ahead of ■'Auckland.

With a quarter of an hour to play Gillespie and Dncre took no risks when they opened Auckland's second innings to the bowling of Ebeling and T. Armstrong. The total reached 10, and then Dacre went: across to get Ebeling to leg, missed, j and was out leg-before-wicket. 11—1—2. Gillespie, making some nice shots through the slips, played out time with Postles, 1 and stumps were drawn with one wicket down for 21. Following are the scores: — AUCKLAND. First innings 284 Second Innings. H. D. Gillespie, not out 13 C. C. Dacre, lbw, b Ebeling 2 A. J. Postles, not out 2 Extras 4 Total for one wicket 21 MELBOURNE. First Innings. R. s Jewell, c Scott, b Matheson 12 K. Campbell, c Anthony, b Allcott .. 8 B. A. Onyons, c sub., b Player. 51 T. .Q. Armstrong, lbw, b Allcott ...... 1 H. I. Ebeling, b Mathesoa 18 H. C. Sandford, b Allcott 29 V. S. llansford, b Allcott 100 R. G. Johnstone, b Player 20 I*. B. Wood, c Anthony, b Allcott ... 6 K. C. Rodgerson, c' Gillespie', b Butler 43 W. W. Armstrong, not out 9 Extras \ ...; 11

Total 308 Bowling" Analysis.—Allcott took five wickets tor 56 runs, A. S. Player two for SO, A. M; Matheson two for 93, V. C. Butler one for 19.