NEW ZEALAND v. ESSEX

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1931, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND v. ESSEX

VISITORS’ EXCELLENT START DEMPSTER’S DOUBLE CENTURY [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. May 7, 19 a.m.). LONDON, May 6. The New Zealand cricketers commenced a match against Essex, at Leyton, in fine weather. There was a small attendance. New Zealand omitted Vivian, Matheson and Cromb. The Essex team is Morris, Bray, Daer, O’Connor, Nichols, Cutmore, Hipkin, Pope, Sheffield, Eastman, Smith. \ New Zealand won the toss and Mills and Dempster opened confidently, the first hour’s play producing 71. DEMPSTER’S RECORD. (Special to Press Association.) LONDON, May 6. The New Zealand cricketers opeded the tour most auspiciously. The first day’s play was a triumph for Dempster, who was the first batsman from the Dominion to score 200 in a single innings in, first-class cricket. Mills lost his wicket shortly before lunch, by a brilliant catch by the wicket-keeper. ' Blunt batted stylishly until beaten by a leg spinner. Weir was dismissed in the same fashion.

Kerr and Lowry helped Dempster to carry on, both partnerships realising over seventy. Dempster was brilliant, scoring afl round the wicket, giving one of the finest displays of his career, lasting 320 minutes. He only gave one difficult chance in the slips, when 46. The New Zealand batsmen gave an excellent display against steady bowling and fine fielding. Scores:— NEW ZEALAND—IST. INNINGS. Dempster, not out 201 Mills, c Sheffield, b Nichols ... 33 Page, l.b.w. b Nichols < .... 5 Blunt, b Daer .. 25 Weir, b Daer .. 0 Kerr, b Daer 25 Lowry, st. Sheffield, b Eastman 23 Talbot, not out .., .. .. . ■ n Extras .. ..- .. 10 Total for six wickets .. .. 343 BRIGHTERCRICKET. . ! LONDON, May 6. The new system of scoring in the county championship has quickly brightened cricket. The lure of fifteen points was demonstrated at the Oval, when Gloucestershire thrilled the crowd, snatching the victory from Surrey. Beverley-Lyon declared each innings. Secondly, when 83 behind, Fender also declared, leaving Gloucestershire to score 144 under two hours, Hammond making the winnning> hit with two minutes to spare.

M.C.C. ANNUAL MEETING.

(Recd. May 7, 1 p.m.)

LONDON, May 6.

The M.C.C. annual meeting approved of alterations in the laws, with the object of helping bowlers on the larger wicket, which was made compulsory in first-class matches. The pitch will be rolled for seven minutes at the beginning of play, and at the end of'the innings, instead of for ten minutes.

Sir K. Studd, retiring president, after saying that he was looking forward with pleasure to the New Zealand matches, nominated Lord Bridgeman as the new president. The new committeemen are Sir K. Studd, P. F. Warner, R. Mallett, and Lord Aberdare. t