SECOND TEST MATCH

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 March 1924, Page 5

SECOND TEST MATCH

AUSTRALIANS BATTING.

A DISASTROUS START. (Per Press Association), / WELLINGTON, March 7. The second test match commenced to-day in fine weather. The ’ wicket was very wet and this necessitated a postponement until the afternoon. Smith’ (N.Z.) won the. toss, and sent the New South Wales team in, Bardsley and Andrews opening against’ the bowling of McGirr and Mcßeth. The. innings commence.d- sensationally for Andrews was bowled for 1 by McGirr and Macartney was caught off Mcßeth for 2.

There, was a change when Kippax joined Bardsley, for this pair made a good stand before Kippax was. clean bowled by McGirr after making a useful 25- Hendry went to McGirr a few runs later. The Bardsley brothers made a good stand. Both played sound cricket, with strokes all round, the wicket. Just as. Warren Bardsley seemed certain to get the century, he was clean bowled by' Mcßeth. His brother fell soon after to an off break from Hiddleston.

Another good stand was made by Punch and Ratcliffe, who saw the second century appear. Ratcliffe, when 25 was completely beaten by one. of Smith’s slows. Punch, with Oldfield played out time. Smith and McBeth were the most consistent of the New Zealand bowlers, while McGirl bowled excellently at times. Scores: New South Wales.—First Innings. W. Bardsley, b Mcßeth ... ... 93 Andrews, b McGirr 1 Macartney, c Blamires, b Mcßeth 2 Hendry, lbw., b McGirr 2 Kippax, b McGirr 25 R. Bardsley, b Hiddleston 28 Punch, not out ' 42 Ratcliffe, b Smith ... 25 Oldfield, not out Extras •

Total for seven wickets ... 257 Bowling analysis: McGirr, 3 for 66; Mcßeth, 2 for 79; Blamires, 0 for 16; Smith, 1 for 28 ; Hiddleston, 1 for 27 ; Henderson, 0 for 17.

MR. COCHRANE INTERVIEWED.

(Special to “Star.”) I WELLINGTON, ' March 7. Interesting observations, made during the tour of the New South Wales team, in the South Island, were conveyed to a “Post” reporter, in the course of an interview to-day with Mr C. B. Cochrane, manager of the New South Wales team. “Of the hospitality extended to us in the South Island, I cannot speak too highly. .What particularly impressed me was the fact that influential men are connected Jvith the administration of cricket, and the amount of attention given to details, particularly in regard to arrangements for our tour. Everywhere I received the utmost assistance. The secretaries of different associations would even meet me on the train, with a view to having all details fixed up before the match started." From the cricket and social points of view, we would be quite prepared to repeat the programme in the South Island. We had a wonderful time.” . Questioned regarding the standard of play in New Zealand, as far as he had been able to judge, Mr Cochrane stated that he could not say whether cricket in New Zealand liad improved, as he had no previous experience here by which to make a Comparison. “I was/ surprised iat the standard of cricket,” lie said. “It was much higher than I had been led to expect. I think you have quite a number of promising players. With systematic and good iqoajching, (the provision of gpod wickets, and a continuance of these visits, not necessarily from New South Wales, the cricket 111 New Zealand must go ahead. You have good officials, enthusiastic _ keen business men. Another thing which struck me was the youth of the Canterbury team. With little more of bigger cricket experience, I tlvnk that cricket here cannot help but go ahead.”