CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 131, 30 November 1933, Page 15

CRICKET

TOWN AND COUNTRY

TODAY'S PLAY

GOOD PROGRESS

Although scoring was low yesterday in the Town v. Country cricket match at the Basin Eeserve, the state of affairs at stumps was such as to offer prospects of an interesting run of play today, with both sides keen to render a better account than they had done yesterday. The weather was fine, though dull, with a southerly wind still prevailing. Wicket and ground were in line order. The position for the resumption was that Town, with a lead of 93 runs on the first innings, had made 38 runs for oho wicket in the second innings. Dustin had been dismissed for 13 and dv Chateau and Ell were not out with 19 and 2 respectively. ' Although Ell did not get going, Morgan and dv Chateau put plenty of life into the batting, during the pre-lunch play and runs were recorded freely. Morgan went close to a half-century in quick time and dv Chateau passed that mark, then to have the misfortune to be struck on the face by a rising ball, which was snicked off the bat. To the overnight score 100 runs were aclded in the first hour and a quarter's play today. By lunch time the total had reached 186 for three wickets. .-■■.; RUN OF PLAY. Play today commenced at 11.6 a.m., dv Chateau and .Ell resuming to the bowling of Hatch and Massey. Keeping an excellent length into the wind, Massey had both batsmen exercising more caution in facing him than iv playing the fast' bowler, from, whom dv Chateau started off the day with a 4 to fine leg. The score was advanced to 47 mainly by dv Chateau off Hatch, and at that point Ell was unable to resist having a flick at Hatch's off deliveries and was caught by the 'keeper. 47— 2—4. ° ■ Morgan was next and his solid drives were quickly brought into play! He started off with a boundary stroke, and 'added more with other good scoring strokes. The score was also being sent along by dv Chateau, who was reveal-, ing much, better batsmanship than in the first innings. BRISK PARTNERSHIP. At 63 Freeman was tried in place of Hatch (one f0r.29), but the slow balls appeared to be relished by the bats-, men, with Morgan putting on run 3at a good clip. Morgan was placing the ball in all directions without being in any way reckless, and dv Chateau, except for one stroke of fortune, was going along confidently. The pair appeared to be well set, and at 89 Eeaney was brought on in place of Massey (none for 24 off nine overs), but there was no easing.up of the scoring rate. The Morgan-du Chateau partnership yielded 53 runs in half an hour, Morgan's contribution being 40. Tho century was hoisted after sixty-seven minutes' batting, and at that stage Lambert took over from Freeman (none for 20 off five overs). The Country captain was not costly, and was unfortunate -in not getting a wicket when ■ Massey faied to take a running catch out near the leg boundary. Runs still came well, with Morgan getting most.of the bowling, but at 111 this batsman's forcing innings ended with the shattering of his wicket by Keancy. In forty-two minutes Morgan hit up 46 runs-in good stylo, his powerful strokes realising eighth's. The partnership improved the score by C 4 runs. !111—3—46. DU CHATEAU'S HALF-CENTURY. | With Tindill's advent two lefthanders became associated, and they maintained the scoring rate against Reariey and Lambert, with dv Chateau now; getting more of the bowling.and realising well from it, especially on the I leg side. A half-century went, to dv Chateau's credit after he had been batting for about eighty-five minutes, and it included seven 4's. With the continued good progress by the batsmen, though Tindill had quietened down, Hatch was tried against the windy relieving Reaney (one for 31 off sis overs). This change'reduced the scoring rate, though Tindill realised a 4 to leg off Hatch. 'When due Chateau had made 59 runs ho had the misfortune to be struck on the face by a rising ball from Chadwick. He returned to tho pavilion for attention. Du. Chateau had been at the crease for 107 minutes, and had made his runs well, his scoring strokes including eight to the boundary^ / • ' ■ • The score at that stage was 144, and War& was sent in to fill the vacant crease. Tindilt was still unable to make many runs, though he was trying hard and putting plenty of power, behind some of his strokes. Ward ian to double figures quickly. with two. 23 and two 4's, and other scoring strokes took him past his partner. Lambert was still bowling from the southern end, and at times had the batsmen thinking hard. .The score had -reached 168 when Freeman was tried into the wind, taking over from Chadwick (none for 25 off five overs)! Ward welcomed, the change with a splendid cover drive to the ropes. Ward registered another 4 off the over, from which further scoring made the over costly. Ward and Tindill kept going until lunch, at which the score was 786 for three wickets—Tindill in 23, Ward in 30. 200 MARK REACHED. Having greatly strengthened their position, the.Town.players sot out after lunch-to collect as many runs as possible in ai. limited.time, the intention being to declare the innings closed at about 2.30 p.m. if it was not completed. It was expected:that the Country team, by James's sporting action, .would be given some three hours' batting. Ward and Tindill carried on with, the rungetting , plan against the 'bowling of Massey and Hatch, but it was not long before Ward lost his wicket after having compiled an acceptable 32. Ward's score included five 4's. 195 —4 —32. Blundell, promoted in the batting order, joined Tindill, and from the first ball he received-ho realised five runs, an overthrow going to the boundary. This brought 200 up for 145 minutes' batting. Tindill, now batting freely, kept the score moving, his collection of runs including two more 4's. A square-cut by Blundell off tho fast bowler also sent the leather along the carpet to the boundary. Tindill, when 37, gave the bowler (Hatch) a hard chance, but the ball was not held. A DECLARATION. Tor tho first time in. the match O'Brien was tried with the ball, taking the .place of Massey (none for 28 off 14 overs, five of which were maidens). There was some scoring from the new bowler, including a 3 by Blundell down the gully, but just afterwards Blundell, in stepping out, made a presentation of his- wicket to Hatch. At that the innings was declared closed, the total being 223 for five wickets, Tindill being not out- wtih 38. The innings had occupied 170 minutes. Hatch again returned the best bowling figures, but Massey and Lambert bowled well without getting wickets. The Country team's second innings, in which 317 runs were required in just ovci1 three hours, was commonced by Cameron and Massey at 2.42 p.m. Crook and Blundell set the attack under way, and except for a square cut by each bafcinan; -to -tho jjocmdaiy,. there'was

little scoring from the first half-dpzen overs. At 3 p.m. the score was '20 for no wickots. , * ;-: ~ ..":'::

Without any further addition to the scoro Massey was caught behind the wickets off Blundell. 20—1—7. Eeanoy was next, and started with a 2 and a 3, Cameron then reaching double figures. At 3.10 p.m. the score was 29 for one wicket.