A DAY OFF

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 11, 13 July 1931, Page 9

A DAY OFF

THE MIDDLESEX MATCH

JJightmi matches (excluding the practice match at t.ic outset of the tour) have been. i>lii-yed •by tlio Now Zealand cricket team now. iv England, ami of thesi? tlirc.o have beeu won, and only ,one lost. It. was in tho match with Middlesex tit Lord's that the New Zealand team suffered its only defeat, and in facing that engagement ■ the tourists apparently were insiderubly off colour.: The following comment on the first day's play of the- New Zea-land-Middlesex match reads rathe: different from those which have been the general rule so far as the performances of the New Zealand representatives are concerned:—y For some unaccountable reason New Zealand, although dismissing Middlesex for a much smaller total, than at bno time . appeared likely, were not seen at ther- best, except from Cromb. Their bowling lacked.length, and more full tosses wore sent down than jiavo boon seen at Lord's for a long time.

, Some of their fielding, too, was strangely slovenly, but, worst of all, their catching- was faulty, and even James made- mistakes at tho wicket. Actually four catches were dropped, and a chance of stumping' and of a run out went; begging.; ...... Hendren. profited by three vof these errors, though that'did not detract from the valuo of his innings. He always took his own time to make his runs, but when he did hit tho ball he timed his> strokes beautifully, and his footwork was perfect. Hendren stayed in two hours and 25-minutes for his 74, Ms first 50 taking him an hour and 20 minutes. Ho hit nine 4's.

It was when Hendren and : Allen were together that the biggest stand of the day was made. \ Previously, Enthoven and Heanio had given their side a good, start by putting on :60 for tho iirst wicket, aud Hearno was batting so confidently that ho looked in for ay big score, but he was out to a brilliant catch at third slip.

Allen played delightful cricket. He smoto the loose bowling right heartily, a six. off Mcrritt from a full toss being a ..terrific blow. Powerful off-drives also brought him a number of runs, and seven times his shots reached tho ring. By tho luncheon ■ interval he had credited himself with 51 out of SO in. only 50 minutes, which, with Hendrcn at tho other end, was a pretty useful share.-. ■

The partnership lasted for just Over an hour, and was terminated by Cromb holding a tremendously hard; return waist high. ' The remainder of the Middlesex batting, broke down badly boforo tho medium-paced attack ■of Cromb, who appeared to bo the- only bowler capable of getting any help out of tho soft pitch. '■ . ■

The weather cleared sufficiently after an-Jiour and 40 minutes'.-delay to allow New Zealand to start their innings at 5;35 p.m. '• Allen: bowled at/a fast pace from the pavilion end, and when only 17 had been scored AVcii; played much too late at him and had his oft" stiirup sent flying out of .the ground.