NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST INNINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 77, 1 April 1933, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND'S FIRST INNINGS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) n - AUCKLAND, March 31. ] The New Zealand batsmen, with a ' single exception, Dempster, mado a poor ' showing in their' first innings of the ( ■second test match against the M.C.C. 1 team, and the sido was dismissed for 158. England, with 127 for one wicket, 1 was in a good position at the drawing ! of stumps. ' ■• "Vivian and Smith stood down from the New Zealand team. Smith was ! twelfth man. The doctors passed 1 Vivian as fit for play, but it was de- 1 eided not to take the risk of playing ! him. Dempster arrived late from Wei- ' lington. ' After, lunch James went cheaply, but Dunning and Newman defended resolutely to enable Dempster to do the ■ scoring. New Zealand's finest batsman ' rose to the occasion, and played one of , the finest innings of his career. ', Dunning was bowled in attempting - to hook a good length ball from Bowes, , and Newman was yorked by Yoce. ; Dempster was nearing the century, and endeavouring to keep the bowling. The , batsmen attempted to run a safe two , off the last ball of Bowes's over, but Preeman stumbled in turning, and was . run out. The innings lasted for 169 . minutes. • 'i Dempster gave a chanceless «xhibi- j tion of perfect stroke play, and received ( an ovation on' his return to tho pavilion, ■ the Englishmen joining in the applause. , Weak batting alone appeared responsible for New Zealand's poor score. Bowes swung the ball late while it '. was new, and was really dangerous for the first few overs. Ho occasionally ■ made' pace from the wicket, but his ■ figures were more than a littlo flatter- : ing. Voeo was steady, but not particu- ■ larly dangerous. Neither Bowes, Vocc, , nor Allen could bump the ball on the i Eden. Park wicket. Mitchell was ] somewhat erratic, and Brown bowled , only, two overs. , <■' The English fielding was perfect, Paynter and Voco being outstanding, with Duckworth brilliant behind the stumps. -" i ENGLAND TAKES STRIKE. ' Sutcliffo and Wyatt opened Eng- . land's innings just before three o'clock, ' and took no risks to the bowling of . Badcock and Dunning. The first half- : hour yielded 15. Tho batsmen scored ' 14. off Newman's first over, but shortly ] afterwards Sutcliffc played forward to a Tank long hop from Freeman, giving Weir an easy catch at cover. After tea Hammond and Wyatt re- i vealed .glorious, .batting, Hammond par- : ticul'arly driving and hooking with • power and precision, and giving an object lesson of perfect footwork. Badcock bowled eleven overs unchanged after tea,, and kept the batsmen playing him. Dunning, Freeman, Newman, and Page were all used in rapid changes at the other end, but presented no difficulties. • ■ • , Shortly after five o 'clock, Wyatt, who had tatted solidly and unostentatiously for 56,; appealed against the light, as the sun was shining at an angle Tound the corner of the pavilion. Tho appeal was upheld, and stumps were drawn. • The New Zealand bowling was never •

more than- steady. The fielding was adequate throughout the afternoon, and James clearly proved .he is at least Duckworth's equal behind the stumps, his taking on the leg 'side being brilliant. . '