CHAMPION COUNTY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 209, 18 August 1927, Page 5

CHAMPION COUNTY

N.Z. OPPONENTS LANCASHIRE’S BATTING FAILS. FIRST INNINGS TOTAL 229. (By Cable —Press Assn. — Copyright.] (Received 18, 9.20 a.m.) London, Aug. 17. In consequence of their fine victory at Derby, a large attendance welcomed the New Zealanders when they turned out at Manchester to oppose the champion county, Lancashire. The only change in the side was that McGirr replaced Oliver. The county won the toss and batted first on an easy pitch. Hallows, when 10, slipped, and strained a thigh so severely that he was compelled to retire. With E, Tyldesley and Watson together, 50 appeared in 55 minutes and they went on to 74 before Lowry broke the partnership after several changes in the bowling. The Lancashire batting then became very slow and but for Tyldesley would have broken down altogether. It took them two hours to bring the -entury up. The pitch, thanks to a warm sun, began to respond to the spin bowlers’ tactics and Blunt got Taylor leg before. After that, with the exception of Tyldesley, the batting badly failed, Blunt in particular meeting with great success. Merritt got wickets, but was severely hit. Lancashire’s crack batsman was eventually caught off him, but not until he had reached 124 He played delightful cricket for just over three hours, hitting eight fours and six threes and really saved his side. ABRUPT CONCLUSION. At the tea adjournment the score had reached five wickets for 184, but the last four men fell for only 25 runs, and the innings, which lasted four hours, came to an abrupt conclusion at 229. The New Zealanders began badly, Dacre falling into the slip trap off Macdonald, the ex-Australian fast bowler, before he had scored. Dempster and Blunt then settled down to keep their ends up and, showing fine defensive play, took the total to 57 without further loss before stumps were drawn. Scores:— LANCASHIRE. First Innings. Watson, c James, b Lowry 33 Hallows, retired hurt 10 E. Tyldesley, c McGirr, b Merritt 124 Taylor, 1.b.w,, b Blunt 21 Halliday, c Lowry, b Merritt ... 15 Green c Dacre, b Blunt 2 Nibbles, c Allcott, b Blunt 5 Farrimond, b Blunt 0 R. Tyldesley, run out 6 McDonald, st. James, b Merritt 5 Holyroyd, not out 0 Extras ’. 8 Total 229 Bowling analysis.—McGirr none for 3, Bernau none for 7, Allcott none for 26, Dacre none for 7, Merritt three for 94, Blunt four for 53, Lowry one for 31. NEW ZEALAND. First Innings. Dacre, c Farrimond, b McDonald 0 Dempster, not out 21 Blunt, not out 28 Extras 8 Total for one wicket 57 —(A. and N.Z.) McDonald stays with LANCASHIRE. (Received 18, 12.30 p.m.) London, Aug. 17. It is officially announced that McDonald remains with Lancashire County for two years after the original agreement expires in 1929.