New Zealand, 320 For 8, Starts Well In Final Test: Sutcliffe And Scott In Form

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23024, 15 August 1949, Page 7

New Zealand, 320 For 8, Starts Well In Final Test: Sutcliffe And Scott In Form

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.) (!) a.in.) LONDON, Aug. 14. After Hadlee had woii fhe toss for the first time in the series. New Zealand made an excellent start against England at the Oval on Saturday in the fourth and final test match and, with fine hatting hy Sutcliffe, Scoff, Wallace and Donnelly, scored .at a run-a-mimite until tea time.

Then with 1 lie abrupt removal of Wallace and Donnelly in successive overs, the Knghind bowlers look the upper hand, and at Ihe close of play New Zealand had lost eiyht for 'V2 O.

The match was watched by the Duke of Edinburgh who shook hands with both teams before play began, and about 22,000 people, of whom 19.000 paid over £3OOO. The Oval pitch, which was not closely shaven, has a reputation for crumbling and if Cowie and Burtt can maintain good bowling form, assisted by Cave and Cresswcll, New Zealand's total may be decidedly useful before the game is over.

It was a perfect summer day and tlds time New Zealand was lucky with the toss as well as the weather. Exploded into Action

When Hadlee looked up to the New Zealanders’ window while he was walking back from the pitch with Brown and gave the thumbs-up sign, there were broad smiles all round the room which developed as the morning proceeded. Sutcliffe and Scott fairly exploded into action and were particularly rough with Bailey. Sutcliffe cut him for a single for the first scoring stroke of the day and then, perhaps, consciously conserving his energy for the work ahead walked a single, carrying his bat in both hands and glancing back over his shoulder as the ball was fielded by third man. Both he and Scott followed this declaration of independence with free scoring, though they treated Bedser with more reserve. Scott departed from his usual on-driving and punched holes through the off-field; Sutcliffe was more catholic. llailcv Was Not Amused

Bailey was not amused by the one-a-minute scoring and endeavoured to trap Scott with an admixture of bouncers and a yorker, but Scott’s bat was as straight as his nerves were firm, Bailey also tried a few bouncers which landed half-way down the pitch against Sutcliffe who merely grinned and knelt and the ball sailed feet over his head. After 40 minutes with the score at 41, Brown made a double change and produced Wright and Edrich. Sutcliffe halved the efficiency of this offensive by keeping Scott away from Wright and his top spinners for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, he played Wright attentively and pulled and drove him as opportunity offered and with Scott helped himself to Edrich. Scott put 53 on the board in 51 minutes by square-driving Edrich to the boundary. At this. Brown produced Laker and Sutcliffe lofted him straight back for two and 51 in 77 minutes. Scott Kept Away From Spinners The merit of the policy of keeping Scott away from Wright was seen when, after a leg glance worth three, he offered Laker a difficult chance at short square leg. Scott was then 37. The incident served to sharpen his appetite for he hit more freely, 100 came up in 88 minutes, and he was 51 in 97 minutes when he sent Bedser, who had relieved Laker, through the covers. Then Hollies came on for Wright and had success where the others had failed in stemming the flow of runs; and Bedser, who bowled well, took the first wicket by having Scott caught by Edrich at slips. Scott had been batting with great confidence, but once again he tried that defensive forward shot to a rising ball. Held was steady for the 10 minutes to lunch when New Zealand was one for 125. Unfortunately, Wright in his first over after the interval tempted him Reid Has a Lash Reid decided to lash it but the ball was on a downward flight and he missed completely. He was right in front of his wicket and as soon as the ball hit him he started to walk, knowing lie must be out. Sutcliffe had been batting beautifully, brimming with confidence. He ondrove Hollies to the boundary to reach 88, but did not get sufficiently over the next ball and cocked it forward to Bedser, who took a good catch, ending face downwards on the ground with his elbows for props.—Three for 170. Donnelly joined Wallace for a delightful partnership in which they put on 54 in an hour. In two overs they hit 22. Two hundred was up in three hours and 20 minutes and at tea the score was 239 for three. Wallace and Donnelly Go

In two overs immediately following the break, both Wallace and Donnelly were caught by Edrich at first slip. Play swung in England’s favour for the first time during the day. Hadlee and Rabone, however, were not disconcerted, but Rabone had not an answer to Bailey and was caught by Evans.

Hadlee was inclined to swish at the ball and when Bodser took over he was also caught by Evans. Burtt and Cave defied both Bedser and Wright and reached 300 with commendable patience, the score at stumps being 320 for eight. Scores:— NEW ZEALAND First Innings Sutcliffe, c Bedser, b Hollies .. .. 88 Scott, c Edrich, b Bedser ~ .. GO Fieid, lbw., b Wright 5 Wallace, c Edrich, b Bedser .. ~ 55 Donnelly, c Edrich. b Bailey .. .. 27 Hadlee, c Evans, b Bedser .. ~ 25 Rabonc, c Evans, b Bailey .. .. 18 Burtt. not out 24 Cave, b Compton 10 Cowic, not out ~ ~ 1 Extras 7 Total for eight wickets .. .. 320

Bailey Bowling 0 .. .. 22 M 7 n 59 W 2 Bcdser .. .. .. 26 5 63 3 Edrich .. .. .. 3 0 16 0 Wright ., .. 22 1 93 1 Laker .. .. 3 0 tl 0 Hollies .. .. 20 7 51 1 Brown .. .... 5 1 14 0 Compton .. .. 2 fl (5 1 Leg byes, 1; wides, 1; noballs, 5.