A CLOSE CALL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 13

A CLOSE CALL

MANY LBW DECISIONS (By "Not Out.") Gloucestershire's policy of forcing matters in order to achieve a definite result —a decision on tho second inmugs —was not forsaken in tho match with New Zealand, even with the limited time at the disposal of the players. This procedure was anticipated in discussing the prospects, and mention was also made of the ability of the leading Gloucestershire bowlers, Parker and Goddard. Admitting that New Zealand had tho worst end of the stick, and that the wicket was bad, the performance of the New Zealand team was again disappointing. A total of 164 runs for sixteen wickets does not read very well for a side considered tfi bo strong in hatting. , It seems from | (,ha account of (he match that the tourists had a. fortunate escape.

The day was -certainly an eventful one, and this match will go down as 6ne of the most notable on record for the number of Mow decisions that were given, all in the one day's play. Tho great Hammond fell to G'romb in this manner in both innings, and ho was the only ono on the county side to be dismissed lbw. The New Zealand batsmen, however, appeared to make a habit of stepping in front, no fewer than nine of the sixteen wickets which fell being tho result of appeals for lbw. Spots on the wicket must have been used to advantage by Goddard and Parker, or, perhaps, Parker caught the batsmen napping with a straight one as he served up his left-handlers, and Goddard did likowiso in making a change now and again from "leg theory." Even so, it is remarkable that so many of the New Zealand batsmen should fall into the trap, winch, of course, is made a bigger ono now that the larger wicket is in use. It was an' unfortunate experience, but it should serve as a good'lcsson for future

engagements, in which the tourists will be expected to improve upon their more recent performances.

The New Zealand team's match with Derbyshire is set down to commence to-day. There will be a match with the minor counties, starting on Wednesday, and after that a match with Northamptonshire. The team will then have a spell of three days from match play before the Test with England's eleven.