CRICKET

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12804, 7 March 1936, Page 6

CRICKET

FINAL TEST M.C.C. v. NEW ZEALAND TOURISTS ALT, OUT FOR, 1915 HOME TEAM LOSE 3 FOR, 138 (Press Association). CHRIST CHURCH, March 6. New Zealand! had, the better of the first day’s play in the fourth and final representative match against the touring M.C.C. team at Lancaster Park to-day. Splendid bowling on tv wicket that gave some assistance - t-o the spin bowlers, supported by excellent fielding, brought abon. the dismissal of the Englishmen for 195, and at the close of play, New Zealand had made 138 runs for the loss of three wickets. The home batsmen faced the bowling confidently, and two of the three wickets were thrown away through rash strokes. It was a glorious- day for cricket, and a fairly large crowd 1 -saw the day’s play which, though not spectacular, was never lacking in interest or incident. Only throe M.C.C. batsmen made a prolonged' stand, and seven were clean howled. The full battery -of the New Zealand attack was not required. Blundell took two wickets in his six overs. Roberts was very steady, and Griffiths was impressive. Kerr played a solid innings and at stumps was undefeated for 62. Wallace was agressive for his 37. 'Hie outfield was slow and boundaries: had to be earned by solid hits. The underlying moisture probably caused the nip the spin howlers obtained from the pitch hut- the wicket was n-ot playing tricks. Only three M.C.C. batsmen made any prolonged stand against the New Zealand attack and the home team gave an excellent all round display. Nothing was thrown away in the field and the few chances that were- offered were accepted. As in the Wellington match, Blundell started the collapse of the M-C.C. In his third' ever, Parks reached forward to a- ball from Blundell well outside the off stump, .missed and Jackman had the bails off in a flash Parks and Barber had been faring the bowl ing of Blundell and Roberts very confidently up to that. time. flardstn ff was. dismissed by the first ball he received from Blundell, and two wickets were down for 9. Smith, the aggressive left-hander, was looking for runs from the start, and delighted the crowd with his beautiful crisp drives down the wicket. He eventually fell to the first ball he received from the slow bowler, Griffiths. With his captain, Holmes, at the wicket, Barber began to open out. and from then on, scored freely with a fine range of excellent strokes.

Human and Sims were associated in the most profitable partnership of the innings. The former had no difficulty in settling down and his straight driving was a joy to watch. He became very severe on Cromb and bad hit. nine off one over from the slow bowler when he fell to a really brilliant one hand catch by the howler. Sims once again played a valuable innings when runs were badly needeed. He was finally beaten by another splendid ball from Roberts. The full resources of the New Zealad 'attack were not- required. Blundell unaccountably was given only one spell with the ball —at the opening of the innings—and he took two wickets (for 13 runs off six overs. Roberts was again exceptionally steady and- he .sent down some deadly balls, not all >of which met with their just reward. His three wickets cost only 33 runs off 18 overs. ■Griffiths was watched with interest, as lie has been declared New Zealand’s most promising slow bowler in recent years. His performance to-day was most impressive. He has a very low trajectory and he varies Ms pace, and spins well. As yet, his length is varied, and he sent, down a fairly high proportion of bad' balls. He broke considerably from the leg and the good balls positively fizzed off the pitch. Vivian wa.si steady, but not- t.angerous. Cromb bowled more overs than anyone else, and, whiles the wicket was admittedly one for spin bowling, it appeared that he kept himself on too long. The New Zealand fielding, on lfie. whole, was first class. New Zealand’s very good start is largely attributable to the partnership of Kerr and Wallace for the second wicket. They put on 60 runs together in as many Wallace being more aggressive and scoring 38 of them. Whitelaw opened very well with Kerr, scoring nicely to leg from the fast bowlers Baxter and Read hut, with his score at 22, he swung at a, short hall Loin Read, which bumped more than head high and was well taken by Sims. Wallace attacked the howling from the start and seemed keen on knocking the fast bowlers off their length. JTe hit every ball hard and oven on defence and was looking for rune all the time. __ Vivian maintained the scoring rate and with Kerr, added 34 runs for the third wicket. Kerr was more sedate than the Aucklanders, and played -’m innings deserving the highest, praise- It was moreover, an innings played under difficulties, for indisposition had prevented him fielding wfiile the M.C.C. team was at. .the’ wickets. He was at. the wickets for 128 minutes in making his 62 not out' and towards the close of the play, was scoring freely from every bowler. The English attack was good, without being really troublesome. Baxter opened with Parks, but, while the latter was steady, neither seemed likely to break the opening partnership. Parks bowled with a. leg trap and was very steady.

Following arc tile scores M.C.C. ('first innings.). Paries, st Jackman hi Blundell ... 8 Barber, b Roberts 60 HnrdstafF, b Blundell 0 Smith, b Griffiths 16 Holmes, e Jackman b• Girths 2 Human, c and b Cromb 46 J. Langridge, b Roberts 1 Sims, b Roberts ' 38 Griffiths, b Griffiths p Read, b Griffiths 1 Baxter, not out 10 Extras 4 Total 106 Bowling: Roberts. 18 overs, 6 maidens, 33 runs, 3 wicket s ; Blundell 6, 2, 13, 2- Cromb 19, 0, 67, ] ; Vivian ft, 1, 18, 0; Griffiths 17. 2, 60. 4. NEW ZEAL AND (first innings.) Kerr, not out 62 Wbitelaw, c Sims b Read 12 Wallace, e Sims b Read 38 Vivian, b Sims 20 Hadlee, not out 4 Extras 2 Total for three, wickets ... 138 Bowling : Baxter 8,0, 24, 0; Parks LI, 4, 22, 0; Read 11, 2, 31, 2; Sims 9; 1, 39, J ; Human 1,0, 3, 0.