FAMOUS VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1931, Page 8

FAMOUS VICTORY

NEW ZEALAND AT LORD'S

A CRICKET SENSATION

EOUT OE M.C.C.

(From "The Post's" Special- Correspondent.) LONDON, 22nd May. • New Zealand secured the most sensational win in the whole of its cricketing history in defeating M.C.C. at Lord's in tho fourth match of the tour. As the team left the field it was greeted with round after round of applause, and the congratulations which wero showered on individual players clearly showed the warm manner in which the English public has taken the team to its heart. The M.C.C. team was almost the strongest amateur side in England, and New Zealand's performance was even more meritorious, as the game was played under the most appalling conditions. It was dull and bitterly cold, and the players were compelled to wear two and three sweaters each to keep even moderately warm. Further, it-must be remembered that owing to rain on Saturday afternoon and also on Sunday play was possible for only five hours during the first two days. On the third day four hours sufficed for the New Zealand team to dismiss twice a team of international reputation. Indeed, the M.C.C.' side's second innings occupied only an hour and five minutes. PLAYERS OP NOTE. It was originally intended that the M.C.C. side should consist of amateurs only, but owing to G-. T. S. Stevens, the All-England and Middlesex player, being unavailable, at the eleventh hour, a place was given to J. W. Hearne, the famous Middlesex professional, whose Test match experience and reputation still stands him in good stead, and who, by the way, in three previous games, had scored over 30.0 runs. Other Test match players included in the side were: The ever-popular English captain, Percy Chapman; his vice-captain, J. C. White; D. E. Jardine, who performed so successfully in Australia in. 1928-29 season; E. W. V. Eobins, the young "googlie" find of 1930; V. C. W. Jupp; Maurice Turnbull, who recently toured New Zealand with Harold Gilligan's team and also South Africa last season with Chapman's men, and who, incidentally, was gazetted in "Wisden's" as being one of the five leading cricketers of last season; E. W. Dawson, who has also toured both New Zealand and South Africa; and Maurice Allom, who, of course, is well known in New Zealand as being one of the best bowlers in Harold Gilligan's side.' The only two members of the side who had not had Test match experience were A. M. Crawley and W. B. Franklin. The former is an Oxford "blue," and as a batsman . has earned a sound reputation during the last two or three seasons, whilst the latter is probably the best amateur wicket-keeper in England. Indeed, Franklin was regarded by many authorities as a Test match player in that position had he been able to dovote more time to the game. DEMPSTER AND TALBOT. Unfortunately J.E. Mills was compelled to stand down from the New Zealand side, owing to a slightly strained shoulder. ■ . The New Zealand side batted first on a soft wicket, but the light for the' first hour., was very poor. Dempster again demonstrated that he is in the world's first ilight of batsmen. He was decidedly unlucky,, for after having reached 45 by graceful strokes on both sides of the wicket,, ho was magnificently caught by the bowler, White, off a powerful, drivo which appeared to be sending a half-yolley skimming to the boundary. J. L. Kerr during his stay at the crease used his' feet very cleverly in stepping out to the bowling of White (left-hand medium) and Jupp (bowling right hand offspinners from round the wicket), while his powerful driving favourably impressed the critics. So far as batting is concerned, tho majority of spectators like to see the ball being hit hard and often, and in this respect it was left to Eon. Talbot to supply the fireworks. His aggressive style was most exhilarating. Especially was he severe on Jupp, who began bowling to him with four short-legs and three men round the ou-boundary, but eventually finished up during Talbot's display with two short legs and five men distributed in various positions round the boundary. Even then, the ball frequently beat them in the race to the fence. One glorious straight drive hit the parapet on the top of the members' pavilion, a hit the like of which has not been seen for years. Talbofc has every reason to be pleased with his fine exhibition on his first appearance at the headquarters of cricket. LOWRY'S METHODS. After Talbot's dismissal, New Zealand's position did not look too happy, but relief arrived in the shape of a grand captain's innings by T. C. Lowry, who batted brilliantly for an undefeated 101. It is something of a coincidence that Lowry also scored a century against the M.C.C. at Lord's in 1927. Once he had got a sight of tho ball it was. an education to watch the manner in which he scored off Jupp. Instead.of playing with the offbreak and forcing the ball to the on side for one or two runs, as all the fieldsmen were placed on that side, he would leave the wickets open and by drawing his right foot toward the square-leg umpire get himself into position to square out the ball to the boundary. He did this with such confidence that some of the balls were played past point from outside the leg stump. On the Monday afternoon Crornb and Weir were both responsible for invaluable efforts in keeping their wiclcets up for fairly long periods and letting Lowry have most of the bowling. Matheson, the last man, came in when Lowry required only six runs for his century, and by judicious running and manoeuvring for the bowling this object was achieved amidst the greatest of applause. AVhen stumps were drawn the New Zealand score was 302 for nine wickets. ■ ■ I , M.C.O. DEBACLE. Lowry declared overnight and although, the wicket on the following morning was' not quite so dead it was by no means difficult. However, so well did the New Zealanders field that the bowlers quickly gained the upper hand. Batsmen, of the calibre of Hearne, Dawsoiij and Turnbull were dismissed in rapid succession, and only D. B. Jardine looked like holding the fort. Jardine's was indeed a praiseworthy effort under the circumstances, as he played from tho fall of the second wicket throughout the innings. J. C. White, coming in ninth wicket, helped him to put up the most formidable resistance of the day, although White was never comfortable. The New Zealanders were now in the happy position of being able to enforce 'the follow-on with three and a quarter hours still to play. Of course, no one in his wildest dreams could think of anything more natural than that the M.C.C. batsmen would redeem themselves and turn the game into a draw, even if the honours did rest with the visitors. Much has been said of the glorious uncertainty of cricket, and lo iind IjchyHl, the seemingly impossible

hoppened, the M.C.C. in its second I innings being dismissed for the meagre total of 48 in an hour and five minutes. FEARLESS CAPTAINCY. It is worthy of note here that when the opening pair came out, Jardine continuing from his previous not out innings, and Hearne, Lowry threw the ball to Merritt to open the bowling. There has always been that old fetish that a spin bowler should never bowl with a new ball. I should imagine that there was more than a little discussion in the sacred precincts of the members' stand as to the,wisdom or otherwise of this policy. ■ Here again Lowry's fearless captaincy was rewarded. The third ball of the googly bowler's first over found the sticks. It was a well-pitched "wrong 'un," which nipped back' and left Hearne standing. After this sensational opening, followed by Dawson's dismissal, caught by Merritt at mid-off off Blunt, the M.C.C were again placed with their backs to the wall. Wickets fell like ninepins, and New Zealand's crowning success was when Blunt got his top spinner past Jardine to clean bowl the steadiest batsman in the side, if not in the whole of England. From then on, it was only a.matter of waiting for the end, and, as- stated, New Zealand secured the most sensational win in the whole of its cricketing history. MAGNIFICENT WORK. The work of the bowlers and fieldsmen throughout the day cannot be overpraised. In the first- innings Oromb, bowling a little above the medium pace, kept such an immaculate length (at times swinging the ball very late) that he came out with the fine analysis of six for 46. Although Merritt in the first innings did not" meet with the success that he deserved, he was moire than amply rewarded in the second, when he went through the English side to the tune of seven for 28. Both were magnificent performances, worthy of honourable places in the annals of New Zealand cricket. Never has a New Zealand team fielded better. Lowry started the day with a catch off Dawson at short leg, brought off by an almost uncanny sense of anticipation, and from then on the New Zealanders could not go wrong. Page in particular was outstanding. Fielding at short slip, uncommonly short slip to Merritt, he took no fewer than four catches. Two of these served to dismiss the English captain, Chapman, first ball in each innings, and Lowry's brother-in-law joined • the ranks of those famous players who have "secured a pair" in a match. REGRET AT ONE TEST. The critics of the London papers paid tribute in glowing terms to the work of the New Zealanders, and expressed the opinion that England would have to field its strongest side to beat the visitors in the solitary Test match, of the tour. There is disappointment on all sides that the number of Tests has been so limited. In the New Zealanders 3 victory there was only one fly in the ointment.'Had the weather been fine on the Saturday, it was expected that there would have been an attendance of over 10,000 people in the- afternoon. As it .was, rain robbed the New Zealand Cricket Council of one of the best gates of the tour.