SUNSHINE WANTED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 12, 14 July 1931, Page 8

SUNSHINE WANTED

CRICKET TOURISTS

A SLIP IN BATTING

FORM REVIEWED

From "The Po3t's" Special

Correspondent,

LONDON, 9th June,

There can be no doubt that in the last three matches —with Middlesex, Cambridge University, and Somerset— there has been a retrogression in the New Zealand batting. Only Dempster, Mills, and Blunt are really batting consistently, but it is more than likely that the weather is exercising a dampening effect on the. New Zealanders' play. Certainly, it has not been cricket weather, and the tourists are eagerly awaiting the advent of the sun. Tor the match against Cambridge University Mcrritt and . James were rested from the New Zealand side, whilst Dempster, having recovered from the injury to his leg, made his re-appear-ance. The game was played on the celebrated li'enners Ground, probably one of the most picturesque grounds in England. The wicket there is usually a batsman's paradise, and a bowler has to work extremely hard to get any turn on the ball at all. The pitch in this game proved to be no exception. PLAYERS INDISPOSED. Although the match ended in an even draw, it was distinctly unfortunate for New Zealand that Cromb and Mathesou, the two most effective bowlers, had to retire from the field, owing to strained leg muscles, after three wickets had fallen for only 25 runs in the University's second inniugs, whilst Blunt also was indisposed. This naturally weakened the attack considerably at a critical time. New Zealand had first use of a good .wicket, rendered easy-paced by recent rain. The usual pair, Mills and Dempster, opened, and at onco set about getting runs. Both scored very freely, and it was pleasing to note that Dempster had lost none of his form through the enforced spell caused by the injury to his leg at Cardiff, Mills, in scoring his ..59 "runs, exploited to advantage his characteristic hook shots and on drives, and the graceful rhythm with which, he executed the strokes drew much favourable comment from the spectators. BLUNT IN FORM " ' Perhaps the most pleasing feature of the first innings was Blunts display. Following up his great knock against Middlesex, he scored 120 in a stylo that indicated that he has. at last struck his true form The outstanding strokes used, by him were the cut drive past ppint and the late cut. Allcott batted quietly and assisted Blunt in a profitable partnership! -Although' he only stored 35, it is fair to say-that during his lengthy stay at the crease ho had very little of the bowling and was therefore unable to score at anything like his usual rate. ' . J. L. Kerr, who has had a fairly lean tinio during the last i'ew games, gave promise of making runs, but just as ho appeared to bo well i-et he was given out lbw ; for the third time :in succession. The policy.for the later batsmen was to hit and get runs or get out. Cromb and Matheson both contributed useful scores in a very short tinio in following out these instructions.' "., Of the Cambridge bowlers in the first innings, Baring, the fast trundlcr, who, it will be remembered, played for Hampshire against the New Zealand side, secured most wickets, although he did not seem to be nearly as impressive as Brown, a googly bowler of considerable promise. Polham, a medium-fast right-hander, also met with a . fair measure of 'success. FRONT OF WIOKET PLAY. In reply to New Zealand's .first innings score of ■ 375, Cambridge, through' the splendid performances of Surfloot, Kemp, Welch, Fabian, and Davies, finished up only 75 runs behind, although, when Matheson went on at 200 With the new ball, it seemed at one stage that the side would not avert the follow on. Surileet perhaps the best exhibition. It was almost entirely a display of forward strokes,, some of tho drives past mid-off being particularly powerful. Peculiarly enough, most of the Cambridge batsmen are all splendid in front of the wicket players, in style much the same as E. W. Dawson, who visited New Zealand with Gilligan's team. This, no doubt, is due to the hard wickets to which they are accustomed. Matheson was the most successful bowler for ■ New Zealand, finishing- up with the fine figures of four for 76. He bowled with a fair amount of speed, and was especially dangerous with the new ball. New Zealand's second innings was dominated by another-'Dempster century. This player seems to be in better form this season than he was in 1927, and up to date has scored no" fewer than four centuries. Incidentally, ho is leading in the first class batting averages for the whole of England. Mills repeated his first innings form by compiling -10 runs in his usual free style. Lowry was in aggressive mood, and scored a quick 35 in an-endeavour to obtain enough runs to declare. in is object was achieved for the loss ot five Tho University had to score 297 in three hours. Their second innings revealed some magnificent batting by Kemp-Welch.- This player has been most consistent this season, and is regarded as one of the leading first-class batsmen in England. His century was hall-marked by strong strokes all round the wicket, and he is equally strong whether on attack or defence. 11. X, Brown ably assisted Ins captain by scoring a 'vigorous 72. His batting capabilities, together with. . his exceptionally good bowling, stamps him as one of the most promising young allrounders in the country. With very little effort he gets an amazing amount of power into all his shots. Of the five wickets which fell in this innings, Cromb obtained two before he was compelled to leave the field. After this Weir agaiu shouldered the burden of the attack, as he has now done in the majority of his games, and also claimed two wickets. However, tho New Zealand attack wan not strong enough to, provent Cambridge from forcing a draw. It will be rather interesting to watch the progress of Kemp-Welch and Brown. Competent critics over liere are certain that the former will bo invited to tour Australia with tho next English .team, find it certainly looks as though he would bo even a better bats^ man on Australian wickets, owing to his strong forward play. Brown is also regarded as a future Test player. Like Peebles, ho is a tall, well-built man and keeps a very accurate length as well as making considerable pace off the wicket with his leg break. Although he can bowl the "wrong 'un " very effectively, he does not overdo it. SOMERSET MATCH. The Now Zealanders had three reasonably fine days, at Cambridge, but at Bath, rain robbed the tourists )f victory against Somerset. In this match New Zealand fielded their weakest bowling side to date, Cromb, Matheson, and Merritt standing down. Lowry lost the toss, and Somerset had first tiso

of a sodden wicket. The principal run getters in the first innings were Leo, Ingle, and Dr. Marshall. Lee, who is a brother of tho Middlesex player, compiled OS by very steady batting, although there were no outstanding shots. After reaching 80 he became painfully cramped in stylo in an effort to obtain his hundred. He'played such slow cricket, that 200 whs hoisted from the other end, and Talbot, bowling with the new ball, had him caught in slips when he was only two runs short, of tho three figures. Ingie started very shakily, but later shone as a forcing batsman, hitting the ball very hard. Marshall is another free batsman. He played a most valuable innings for his side, and during his partnerships with the last two men showed" great skill in keeping the bowling for himself. "■ Blunt was the most successful bowler iv the "first innings. He kept a good length and claimed mostof his victims by beating them with his pace off the wicket. Ho clean bowled three of the five batsmen ho dismissed. Weir also bowled very steadily, but luck was not always with him. He sent down 27 overs and 10-maidens, taking throe for1 40. TALBOT'S "SIXEFvS." Somerset were all out for 214, but New Zealand had to fight hard for a first innings lead. - Dempster and Mills were dismissed comparatively cheaply, and then Blunt and Talbot played very slow cricket for the rest of the day. Under the circumstances they were justified, for New Zealand could not afford to lose another wicket before stumps. Talbot, too, made amends on the following morning with some of the most spectacular hitting yet seen on tho tour. He collected 51 in quick time, and a few chances could not spoil the memory of three great sixers, two off Lee and one off White. Blunt batted very- steadily for 54, but was not as free as in his t.vo previous innings. The remaining batsmen did not seem to be able. to gauge tho pace of the wicket, and they allowed the bowlers to get on top.. Asa result, runs which, should have been within easy range of New Zealand's batting powers had to be scraped for in the last-wicket stand by Weir and James. Weir contented himself by, watching White at one end and refusing to give him the slightest chance, while James, at the other, waited for the loose balls and finally placed New Zealand ahead. Tho tourists had a'lead of 11 runs when the innings closed. WEIR'S BOWLING. Somerset's second innings saw Weir in destructive form with the ball. Indeed, on his form on Monday afternoon, he looked like the best bowler in the side. At one stage he had bowled 12 overs and had taken three wickets for five rims, and, although1 he continued to swing the ball both ways throughout his unbroken spell of 22 overs, just failed to secure more wicket 3. The batsmen played their shots at him; and the slips were on their toes, but somehow, they did not manage to connect. Six wickets were down for 99 before stumps that day, but on tho following moriiiiig tho later batsmen made a determined showing, and took the score to 201 for nine before rain during the luncheon interval put a stop to the game. Earlo ■ batted excellently for 41, and Marshall and Bin-rough also played sound cricket. ■ ■ ,