SPLENDID START

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1946, Page 7

SPLENDID START

AUSTRALIA 366 FOR THREE WICKETS CRICKET AT AUCKLAND (P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 1. Batting first in the match against Auckland at Eden Park to-day, the Australian cricketers made an auspicious opening of their tour by scoring 366 runs for the loss of three wickets. The batting of the visitors delighted the crowd of about 9000. A fine century went to the credit of S. G. Barnes, and K. Miller was one run short of this mark and still unbeaten at stumps. The opening partnership between W. A. Brown, the captain, who made 68, and K. Meuleman (53) yielded 96 runs before the latter was' run out. Brown and Barnes added 81 for the second wicket, while Barnes and Miller put on 105 for the third. Miller and Hassett, who were still associated at stumps, added 84 runs. The Australians’ batting was generally very free, but in spite of the large score, the Auckland bowlers deserve credit for the manner in which they held to their task. There were times when the visiting batsmen were kept quiet by a steady attack* and good fielding. Kerr took one wicket for 76 runs in 30 overs, with four maidens. Burke took the other wicket at a cost of 84 runs in 21 overs with two maidens. Cowie bowled 32 overs and three maidens for 101 runs. Confident Opening.

Australia won the toss, Brown and Meuleman • being the opening pair. They played confidently and in spite of steady bowling and' keen fielding scored freely. The first 50 came up after 50 minutes play, and just after Meuleman passed his half-century he was run out. Barnes joined his captain, and the century appeared after 92 minutes. The score at the luncheon adjournment was 108 for one wicket (Brown 45 not out, Barnes 6 not out). Cowie and Kerr took up the attack on the resumption. The batsmen ran some splendidly-judged singles, and Brown reached his 50 with a straight drive to the boundary off Kerr. Both Brown and Barnes, like Meuleman, had to change their bats. Barnes at 29 snicked a delivery from Cowie just short of Whitelaw at first slip. The steady attack of Cowie and Cleverley had quietened lhe batsmen, and the well-placed field was stopping them getting so many short singles. A score oi 150 was hoisted after 145 minutes. Barnes began to be more free, square and back cutting Cleverley for two fours. He lost Brown, however, who walked out to play Burke, missed, and was clean bowled, with the score: 177—2—68. Brown batted for 157 minutes. Barnes was joined by Miller, and ran to 50 in 79 minutes with an off drive for two at Burke’s expense.

Fourth Change of Bat. The second century was hoisted after 174 minutes. Barnes continued to play excellent all-round strokes, and ran into the seventies; but again he had to change his bat, making tee fourth bat changed in the innings so far. The scoring rate slackened. In attempting to hit Emery, Miller broke the edge of his bat, and was the fourth player to make a change. The score at the tea adjournment was 245 for two wickets (Barnes 85 not out, Miller 28 not out). . On resumption, Kerr and Cowie took up the attack, Kerr bowling a maiden to Barnes. Barnes styedrove Cowie to the fence to bring 250 up in 232 minutes. Miller was losing no chances to score. Barnes received an ovation on reaching 100 after oatting for 166 minutes. Shortly afterwards, the batsman hit out at Kerr and was bowled. 282—3 —107. rmrteen fours were included in Barnes s Hassett followed, and Miller reached his 50 in 105 minutes. The laker was batting very freely and opening out to Burke. He was. dropped by Whitelaw on the off boundary oil the slow bowler with his total at 54. Hassett opened quietly but confidently, and the third century went up after 271 minutes. A score of 350 appeared in 300 minutes. Miller was much more quiet in the nineties. Tne score at stumps was 366 for three wickets (Miller 99 not out, Hassett 28 not out).

Scores:— ' T , AUSTRALIA. First Innings. W. A. Brown, b Burke . . ••’ 68 K. Meuleman, run out S. G. Barnes, b Kerr . . ■■ • ■ K. Miller, not out iA. L. Hassett, not out I Extras 1

Total for three wickets .. 366 CANTERBURY ELEVEN CHOSEN (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Mar. 1. The Canterbury team to meet the Australians at Lancaster Park next Friday has been announced by the selectors, Messrs J. L. Kerr and C. G. Crawford, as follows:—I. B. Gromb, (captain), W. McD. Anderson A. E. L. Britton, T. Burtt, L. A. Butterfield, D. A. N. Mcßae, F. P. O’Brien, R. H. Scott, R. C. Shand, T. M. Sharpe, and J. Smith. The twelfth man is A. Burgess.