NEW ZEALAND SHOULD WIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1931, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND SHOULD WIN

ESSEX TO FOLLOW ON O’CONNOR’S GOOD CENTURY [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. May 8, 11 a.m.) [ LONDON, May 7. New Zealand’s first innings closed for 425. Dempster and Talbot continued until the former'played on to a shooter from Nicholls. James was dismissed cheaply. Allcott and Merritt had a brisk last wicket partnership,' adding 4G in 20 minutes. Daer was the most dangerous Essex bowler. Except O’Connor, the Essex batsmen failed. Talbot and Weir opened the attack, but the spin bowlers were soon given a chance. Blunt in the first over dismissed Cutmore with a faster ball, l.b.w. An excellent return by Allcott ran out Pope. After lunch, Eastman and Nichols helped O’Connor to score steadily. Nichols, who was hampered by an injured hand, was caught in his only attempt at a big hit. O’Connor batted stylishly for his second consecutive century of the season, although he was troubled occasionally by Merritt. Blunt dropped a difficult chance at 78. O’Connor lost his wicket by trying to force the pace. The later batsmen tried hard to avert a follow-on. The tenth wicket fell in the last over of the day. Lowry tried five bowlers. Merritt and Blunt bowled unchanged for the greater part of the afternoon, and were always treated with respect Weir kept an accurate length. Few faults were apparent in the New Zealand fielding. Lowry handled the side admirably. Scores:— NEW ZEALAND—Ist Innings. ' Mills, c Sheffield, b Nichols 33 Page, l.b.w. b Nichols .. .. 5 Blunt, b Daqr 25 Weir, b Daer 0 Kerr, b Daer .. .. .. 25 Lowry, st. Sheffield, b Eastman 33 James, 1.b.w., b Daer .. .. 7 Allcott, b Smith .. .. 18 Merritt, not out .. ’ .. 85 Talbot Dempster Extras Total 425 Bowling: Daer 5/74, Nichols 3/92, Smith 1/125, Eastman 1/157. ESSEX —First Innings Cutmore, 1.b.w., b Blunt .. 5 O’Contfor, c Mills, b Merritt 129 Pope, run out, .. .. • • 20 Eastman, b Talbot .. . • 22 Nichols, c Allcott, b Blunt .. 18 Sheffield, 1.b.w., b. Blunt .. 7 Bray, c Lowry, b Merritt .. 12 Hopkin, l.b.w. Merritt .. 9 Daer, c James, b Weir . • 3 Morris, not out . ’ • • 12 Smith, b Merritt ■ ■ • • Extras 12

Total 264 z Bowling: Talbot 1/49, Weir 1/32, Blunt 3/67, Merritt 4/89, Allcott 0/15. Note: The cabled figures were mutilated. Dempster’s and Talbot’s scores, and extras not being received. The Essex bowling figures are inaccurate. S. AFRICANS’ TOUR. ADELAIDE, May 7. Any doubt as to whether the South .African cricketers are coming to Australia is settled by the announcement to-day that the team leaves Capetown for Australia on October 2, by the liner “Anchises,” and they will remain in Australia until March 1.