FIRST TEST

Evening Star, Issue 22685, 26 June 1937, Page 15

FIRST TEST

ENGLAND V. NEW ZEALAND TOURING SIDE’S CHANCES WALLACE AND VIVIAN AGAIN FIT (From fhe special correspondent of the United Press Association with the New Zealand cricket team.) LONDON, June 25. Tiie inconsistency of the New Zealand team’s performances makes it impossible to give an accurate prediction of its probable fate in the test. The players can approach tho task with nothing more hopeful than determination and with the silent prayer that the recent consolidation in tho batting strength has not been momentary. An extraordinary feature of many matches has been the number of players who have batted for half an hour or more and have apparently played themselves in, and thpu got out, instead of going on to big scores, as would normally be expected after a batsman lias gained a good sight of the ball and got used to the pace of the wicket. The lack of the ability to capitalise a promising beginning appears partly to have been overcome in recent games, as illustrated by the liarge scores of Vivian and Hadlee at Lord’s, Kerr, Page, and Lowry_ at Nottingham, and Kerr at Norwich. Kerr’s success against the fast bowlers at Nottingham and Norwich is a most hopeful sign for the test, When he will be opposing an attack which will depend greatly on Voce, Gover, and Hammond. The touring party, returned to London to make the pleasant discovery that Wallace and Vivian are fit, Roberts badly split the top of the third finger of his bowling hand. Nevertheless, there is every hope that he will he available for to-morrow. PROBABLE TEAM. If the weather is fine and the wicket fast, the probable team will be: Hadlee, Vivian, Kerr, Page, Wallace, Moloney, Donnelly, Tindill, Roberts, Dunning, and Cowie. Donnelly’s untimely lapse from form coincides with the success of Lowry. Tho latter is back to his old-time form, but he is bruised and sore. Still it is possible that he may play, but it is his personal inclination to give an opportunity to .a younger man. The consistency of Hadlee and the present form of Kerr and Vivian encourages the hope of a successful opening to the innings, a necessary preliminary to the most advantageous employment of the abilities of Page, Wallace, Donnelly, and Moloney. Given a good start, the side is capable of making a big score on a good wicket. If the weather shows signs of breaking, a place will probably be given to Gallichan, and if Roberts is not available the selectors will probably call on Weir. The players practised this morning at Lord’s and watched the lawn tennis tournament in the afternoon at Wimbledon. Tho New Zealanders’ peculiar knack of always doing well in London is considered to give them a chance of playing even a draw, although the English team is a thoroughly representative one, and not at all experimental. Great interest is being taken in the match, which will probably draw a crowd of 15,000 or more.