MARGIN OF 72 RUNS N.Z. Leads Lancashire On First Innings

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1949, Page 5

MARGIN OF 72 RUNS N.Z. Leads Lancashire On First Innings

[From

A, W. MITCHELL,

N.Z.P.A. London Correspondent.]

LIVERPOOL, August 22 (Rec. 10 a.m.).—On a pitch, that was wearing and was decidedly dusty and taking, spin, New Zealand secured a first-innings lead over Lancashire of 72. They made 390, vzith Sutcliffe hitting a bright 61, Donnelly an attractive 80, and Scott a rather dour but valuable 87.

So much interest was taken in the, match that the gate had to be closed when 10,000 people had arrived inside, including droves of schoolboys:

Not the least valuable contribution to the New Zealand score was made by Cave and Burke, who hit 52 for the ninth wicket and played a new ball confidently. Lancashire batted for 10 minutes in the second innings for five, Cowie bowling to three slips, and three leg slips. His first ball bounced over Reid’s head—an indication that the pitch, which was tricky all day, was going to be increasingly awkward for the remainder of the match.

Sutcliffe, who had enjoyed a wellearned rest following the fourth test, started today well. When both Stone and Greenwood offered some halfvclleys he hit so freely that he was 50 in 55 minutes, rushing ahead of Scott. For some weeks Scott has been suffering from a badly-bruised right forefinger, caused by constant jarring while batting, and for a time this morning he was inclined to dab at the ball and to turn it rather than drive. 100 In 95 Minutes One hundred came up for the partnership in 95 minutes. Sutcliffe was showing distinct signs of an appetite for a century, but he attempted to on-drive Ikin and played on to his leg stump. Scott, having reached 50 in one hour 55 - minutes added 53 in the hour. The morning had passed smoothly so far, but in the half-hour before lunch three wickets fell for 30. Hilton took the first when Tattersail held a simple catch at slip to send Rabone out. Smith came in and made an attractive 17, but Greenwood, with a new ball, had Scott caught in the gully by Ikin. Greenwood followed his success by having Smith caught again by Ikin in the gully. Mooney and-Wallace were together and in 35 minutes added 30. Wallace skied a ball from Stone and was caught by Ikin at mid-wicket. Like A Couple Of Rockets Donnelly and Reid began like a couple of rockets. Donnelly pulled Stone so hard and square to leg - that the unmpire had to jump for his .life, and Reid, who has now ripened into his best form of the tour and with his self-confid-ence as firm as a rock after his fine innings in the fourth test, hit both stone and Hilton witlj something approaching venom. Donnelly scored chiefly on the leg side and runs came at one a minute. Then Hilton took his third wicket by holding a high return from Reid.

Donnelly and Burk took New Zealand past the Lancashire total (318), Donnelly using his feet and hitting Hilton with graceful drives? ‘Tattersail’s variation of pace paid dividends when he had Donnelly caught in the gully by Edrich. Donnelly hit his 80 (13 fours) in one hour 45 minutes. His stand with Burke lasted 35 minutes and was worth 50. Made 52 In Hour Greenwood took the new ball at 346 and beat both Cave and the wicketkeeper Barlow, who received a painful knock. ■ Cave and Burke made 52 in an hour before Cave was caught at mid-off. Burke outlived him briefly and was caught in the gully when he was 27. ■ -