BIG CRICKET MATCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 16, 20 January 1936, Page 11

BIG CRICKET MATCH

NEW ZEALAND'S BATTING

M.C.C. STRIVING- HARD

For the final day's play in the M.C.C.-New Zealand match at the Basin Reserve today's weather was brilliant, and there were prospects of .a further supply of the thoroughly interesting cricket provided on Saturday. New Zealand was in the happy position of being 86 runs to the good on the first innings, and added to this | for the start of play today were the 11 runs made in the second innings before stumps were drawn on Saturday. The wicket, much drier than previously, was in good order lor the continuation of play. The batsmen to carry on were Kerr (3) and Moloney (6), and they made a promising showing during the first twenty minutes of play today. There was then, however, a bowling change which altered the outlook, Sims in his first over of the day collecting the wickets of Moloney and Weir. The visitors were on their toes, keen to regain lost ground, and there was some smart work by them in the field. The New Zealanders, on the other hand, were just as keen to tighten their grip on the game, and good headway was made after the first two wickets had fallen, Kerr and Vivian forming a partnership of some account. After an hour's play today the score had reached 75 for two wickets. The Kerr-Vivian third-wicket partnership gave the New Zealand account a big lift before lunch, the batsmen scoring freely in spite of various bowling changes. When the adjournment was made at 1 p.m. the partnership, still unbroken, was worth 80 runs, and the total had reached 119, which, with the lead of 86 runs on the first innings, placed New Zealand in a strong position, with the prospect that England later in the day would be fighting for a draw. Among the guests at the cricket today were officers and men of H.M.S. Wellington. New Zealand's innings was declared closed at 3.4 p.m. with the score at 229 for three wickets. Kerr and Vivian put on 190 runs for the third wicket. PROGRESS OF PLAY. The M.C.C. fast bowlers, Read and Baxter, set the attack in motion today, but their deliveries were met confidently by Kerr and Moloney, and runs came at quite a good rate. Baxter was given only three overs from the northern end, and into the light southerly he made the ball swing per-; ceptibly. Kerr did much more of the scoring than his partner, and with a range of good strokes—though on one occasion he received the full force of a fast ball on the leg—he was mainly instrumental in taking the score beyond the 30 mark. Baxter had had three overs today at a cost of only three runs, when he was relieved by Sims. This change was bad for New Zealand. Moloney (then 10) snicked a ball from Sims and was caught by 'keeper Griffith. 39—1—10. Without any addition to the score, Weir, who had filled the vacancy, gave an easy' catch to Langridge in midwicket. 39—2—0. BRIGHT PARTNERSHIP. Vivian was next, and soon took a hand in putting New Zealand on the right way again. Kerr, too, , kept moving nicely, and scored all around "the wicket, though with a keen eye to the leg and the on. Vivian started off with a. boundary stroke, and both he and Kerr interspersed boundary hits with a range of other scoring strokes. The 50 mark was passed in fiftyfive minutes, and the total was lifted quickly to 75, at which Sims was changed round to the southern end. He had taken two wickets for 12 runs in six overs, three of which were maidens. Parks replaced Sims. Read and Baxter had operated at the other end, Read's six overs today having cost 29 runs. The shuffling did not in any way disturb the batsmen, who continued to bring in runs in plenty. Nine runs were scored from Sims's first over from the south, and at that Read was recalled. ON TO 100. During the proceedings Human had received a nasty knock on the leg, and he retired from the field for a brief spell during which Powell substituted for him. Kerr's good progress accounted for his passing the 50 mark when he had been at the wickets for 90 minute? (including yesterday's time). The batsmen continued to keep the fieldsmen busy with crisp ■strokes, behind some of which .there was force. Vivian was playing brightly, and with a cut through the slips he brought 100 up. The innings had then been in progress for 88 minutes. It was good going, and the pace was maintained until the luncheon adjournment, at which the total was 119 for two wickets—Kerr 57, Vivian 37. CHASING THE RUNS. The wicket was proving to be a batsman's paradise, and after lunch Vivian and Kerr went along at a merry pace. In half an hour they put on almost 50 runs, bringing a variety of good strokes into play and looking for gaps in the field. It was not long after the adjournment that the pair recorded a century partnership, and Vivian did not waste any time in getting to his half-century, his off-side play being very attractive. He had been at the wickets for 85 minutes in making his 50, and after that he speedily overtook his partner. Vivian reached 70 just ahead of Kerr, and at this stage they were scoring almost at will. Read, fast bowler, was finding the pitch unresponsive, and Sims was not nearly so effective as previously. These two bowlers .were kept going until 2.25 p.m., by which time the total had reached 187. Sixty-eight runs had been scored in the forty minutes of play since lunch. Parks was brought on in place of Read (none for 76), but the batsmen continued to move briskly. By 2.30 p.m. the total had reached 193 for two wickets—Kerr 81, Vivian 84. The prolific partnership bad produced 156 runs in 115 minutes when Kerr (at 81) appeared to give a chance to the keeper. On the batsmen went and they were applauded loudly when 200 went up, the result of 150 minutes' batting. Kerr left 90 behind in banging a ball from Sims to the fence. He followed up with a pretty stroke which sent the ball down the gully for 2. Kerr was now in front in the race for the century, his score being 96 when Vivian ran to 90. KERR A CENTURY—VIVIAN JUST MISSES. At 215 the new ball was given to Baxter, who bowled from the northern end. Kerr had added a couple of singles before Vivian moved oft' 90 with a single from Baxter. At the other end, where Langridge had had four overs at a cost of 13 runs only. Read was used again. The batsmen continued to hit, but nevertheless the visitors' fielding was as keen as ever. With a stroke to leg off Read Kerr reached his century—his second against the touring team. His feat was loudly applauded by the spectators, who then 1 prepared to pay a similar tribute to Vivian. However, this was not to be. Vivian was four short of the century when he was well caught behind the wickets of! Read. That ended a rnasni-

ficent partnership which yielded 190 runs, and it also marked the end of New Zealand's second innings, the captain declaring with the total at 229 for three wickets. Both Kerr and Vivian were given a fine ovation as they returned to the pavilion. Kenhad made 105, including twelve 4's, and in Vivian's 96 there were ten 4's. Details:— M.C.C. First Innings l^6 NEW ZEALAND. , First innings 242 » Second Innings. 3 Moloney. c Griffiths, b Sims 10 j Weir, c Langridge, b Sims 0 Kerr, not out I°s *i Vivian, c Griffith, b Read 06 Extras (byes 8, leg-byes 5, no- ' balls 5) " 18 j , ' ! 31 Total for three wickets ..229 ; (Innings declared closed.) 3 Fall of wickets.—One for 39, two for ; ~ 39, three for 229. 3 Bowling Analysis. 1 . O. M. R- W. ' Read 20.1 1 82 , 1 " Baxter 10 3 20 0 ? Sims 17 4 70 2 , J Parks 4 0 26 0 Langridge ..4 0 13 0