CRICKET

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11539, 19 June 1931, Page 6

CRICKET

N.Z. v. MINOR COUNTIES

CONTEST ON SODDEN WICKET

(U.r.A. bv Elec. Tel. Copyright.) GAINSBOROUGH, June 17. Gainsborough people had been eagerly looking forward to the New Zealand cricketers’ match against a Minor Counties’ eleven, -and consequently were greatly disappointed when the tourists’ programme, continued to bo dogged by unfavorable weather. There was heavy rain overnight, and showers during the morning. The sodden wicket made a. start before lunch out of the question, and an inspection early in the afternoon although it showed an improvement, revealed that the wicket was not yet fit for play. Conditions continued to improve, however,', and a .start was made at 3 o’clock.

Eldcrtou won the toss, Lowry’s early fortunes with the sum once more deserting him, and the homo side batted first', scoring 169 for seven wickets before stumps were drawn. The teams were : Minor Counties: Elderton, Cook, ■Renmant, Kingsley, Ford ham, Homer, Raffertv, Frearson, .Ward. Walters, and Lock.i New Zealand: Lowry, Rage, Blunt, Allcott, Dempster, James, Kerr. Mills Merritt, Talbot, and Weir. , Homer and Cook started brightly for tbe counties, adding 85 for the first wicket. They were separated shortly after tea, when Cook was xtnartiy stumped by James, oil Merritt, lie having contributed 33 to the' total. _ - Merritt then took three wickets m fairly rapid succession, bowling Kingsley, last year’s captain, for Oxford, with a well, pitched googly, and having- Homer and Remnant caught. Ford ham and Frearson then resisted the New Zealand attack for some time, but when • Lowry took over the ball the change proved very effective, the New Zealand captain, who had not previously taken a wicket during the tour, now capturing three very cheaply, Frearson and Walters going with successive balls. The wicket played easily, and the ball turned but slowly. Merritt bonded well and effectively,, but Aleut t, altjiough in good form, failed to secure the success which his efforts deserved.

VISITORS OPEN BADLY

DEMPSTER OUT FOR, DUCK

(U.P.A. bv Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received Juno 10, 1.8 a.m.) GAINSBOROUGH, June 18. The New Zealand cricketers continued against Minor Counties m fine weather. The wicket was easy. Counties were dismissed for 191, Allcott and Lowry taking the last three wickets cheaply. " New Zealand opened badly, Dempster -and Weir both being cauglif in the slips. Mills and Merritt then became associated in a free scoring partnership. 1

MINOR COUNTIES

—First Innings — Cook, st James b Merritt .... AJ Homer, c Dempster b Merritt it Remnant, c Page b Merritt ... t Kingsley, b Merritt _ ... J Fordham. c sub. b Lowry «« Frearson, b Lowry Jo 'Walters, Ibw, b Lowry ' ELderton, c and h-Alleott ... L> Rafferty, ib Lowry Ward, b Alleott- • Lock (in) •" ••• ” Extras ••• ••• ° Total i?l NEW .ZEALAND —First Innings— Dempster, e b Remnant - 0 Mills (in) . ••• ••• ••• 40 Wieir, c Kingsley b Ward ••• £ Merritt (in) q Two wickets for G2