THE CRICKET TEST

Evening Star, Issue 19518, 28 March 1927, Page 7

THE CRICKET TEST

MW ZEAIAHP’S SECOND STRIKE 9IHE FIRST-WiGKET PARTNERSHIP BLUNT AND HILLS BAT SOUNDLY [Psr United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 28. Perfect weather conditions prevailed for the third end final day of the test mutch Faced with a deficit of ,1.76 runs, Now Zealand commenced its second innings on a good wicket, Dluut end Mills going to the crease. Hansford led the viwtors, Warwick Armstrong not inglibeling opened the attack. Blunt started off with a single, and then Mills placed the fast man nicely to.leg lor 3. Hogcrson bowled from the other end, anti Mills brought 10 up. Eliding kept the batsmen very quiet. He was rocking them in at a great pace, and heat Blunt twice. More singles brought the total to 20. Blunt succeeded m getting Rogerson away for a couple, but the scoring was very slow. Mills reached 10 with a single off Ehellng, and Blunt secured the first boundary off the same bowler. Three off the same bowler gave Blunt double figures. Blunt tliove Rogerson to rue ropes twice in succession. The batsmen were now making better progress. Blunt souare cut Rogerson twice for i, Johnstone (at point) lecting the ball through. These strokes brought 60 up. F.beling narrowly missed Blunt s wickets with a yorker, but the nest ball the batsman turned for 3—a pretty stroke. Blunt was 30. and was again shaping well. Mills was hatting soundly, but slowly. With the total at 66 Wood replaced Ebeling. At noon the score was none for 75—Blunt 40 and Mills 23. With the score at 77 Hendry replaced Roberson, and Blunt despatched his first ball to the boundary. The batsmen found difficulty in scoring off Wood, hut Blunt managed to got one away to the boundary, bringing his score to 50. Mills was 26, and was shaping soundly. After a long period of quiet play Blunt brought 100 up—Blunt 55, Mills 31. Milk continued to play well, and by despatching Wood to the boundary reached 40. Blunt had slowed down eensiderablv, but was still playing very gsaudlv. Ho got Hendry nicely away 4o the fine leg boundary, and reached 80. With a total of 122 Ebeling came on again. Blunt drove Hendry for 3, and brought his total to 70. At lunch time the score was none for 133—Blunt 73, Mills 45. Details: — AUSTRALIA. First innings NEW ZEALAND. First innings ... 317 Second Innings. Blunt not out ... ... ... 73 Milk not out ... ... . 45 Extras ... ... ... ... 15 No wickets for ... ... ... 133