SECOND TEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 204, 30 July 1931, Page 7

SECOND TEST

ENGLAND AT THE WICKETS. TWO-CENTURIES RECORDED. NEW ZEALAND TRUNDLERS UNLUCKY.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received July 30, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, July 29. The second cricket Test between New Zealand and England was commenced at the Oval to-day in fine, but cloudy, weather. There were 15,000 spectators. England batted first, and when stumps were drawn for the day had amassed the good total of 312 for the loss of three wickets. The teams are as follow ENGLAND. D. R. Jardine (Surrey), captain. K. S: Duleepsinhji (Sussex). I. A. R. Peebles (Middlesex). H. Sutcliffe (Yorkshire). IV. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire). M. W. Tate (Sussex). L. E. G. Ames (Kent). A. H. Bakewell (Northamptonshire). H. Verity (Yorkshire). F. R. Brown (Cambridge University). G. O. Allen (Middlesex). NEW ZEALAND. Lowry. Page. James. Kerr. Mills. Vivian. Merritt. Allcott. Cromb. Weir.

Blunt. The New Zealand side is weakened by the absence of Dempster. The doctors consider his muscle, strain is not sufficiently improved to warrant the risk, of playing. English critics deplore the absence of New Zealand s greatest batsman and consider that this gives the advantage -to the stronger English eleven. Jardine won the toss and Sutcliffe and Bakewell opened to Cromb and Allcott. Evidently Lowry refrained from using Weir as the opening bowler because ho was needed to open the batting. Runs camo slowly for the first hour, each batsman snicking Cromb once dangerously near Blunt at second slip. Allcott once beat Bakeivell badly with a faster ball. The first hour realised 50. Vivian then relieved Allcott. Cromb bowled 17 overs for 46 runs before ho was relieved by Weir. Sutcliffe attempted a short single off Weir. Bakewell hesitated and the bowler returned to the wicket-keeper, who whipped off the bails. After Bakewell’s dismissal Sutcliffe and Duleepsinhji established a profitable first wicket partnership. With the advent of Duleepsinhji, Allcott relieved Weir and the left-hander again nearly brought about the cheap dismissal of tho Indian, who edged a ball luckily through the slips. Merritt bowled two overs before lunch and in the first he badly beat Sutcliffe.

During the interval, light rain commenced to fall, delaying resumption for 75 minutes.

With the score at 28, Duleepsinjhi attempted to force Allcott to the on and he cocked the ball to Merritt at mid-on, but the fieldsman failed to make sufficient ground to take the catch. However, Duleepsinhji soon overcame his period of indecision and played delightful shots off all the bowlers, his late cutting, driving and hooking being especially fine.

SECOND CENTURY. The second century appeared immediately after tea, Sutcliffe shortly after reaching his 100 after 210 minutes’ play. His best strokes were well placed shots on the leg side. Duleepsinhji also passed his century soon after, • he having been at the wickets TBO minutes. He then commenced to hit out, but in trying to drive Allcott lie skied a ball, Weir at cover taking a well-judged running catch. The latter part of Duleepsinhji’s innings was exceptionally good; he showed brilliant footwork and his timing, combined with beautiful execution in all his shots, made ample amends for his uncertain start. He hit thirteen fours.

The score then stood at 262 for two wickets but nine runs later Sutcliffe was also dismissed when attempting to force the pace. He jumped out to a delivery from Vivian, who had bowled with great steadiness, but missed and was smartly stumped. Sutcliffe’s innings contained several minor blemishes, but, nevertheless, he gave a fine display of batsmanship. His off shots were made with rare crispness and precision, while he also scored well with leg glides and powerful hook shots. He hit ten fours. Hammond and Ames batted steadily and in the last 40 minutes added 41 runs.

The New Zealand bowlers had an unenviable task on a slow wicket for the ball rarely rose above stump height, and turned very slowly. Cromb bowled excellently for the first hour in the morning, but his length and direction later suffered slightly. He bowled twenty-nine overs. The greatest credit is due to the lefthanders, Allcott and Vivian. The former sent down 35 overs and the latter 28. Both kept the batsmen defending for a considerable period. Merritt was used sparingly. Although expensive, he frequently appeared dangerous. The New Zealand fielding maintained a high standard throughout the day. Merritt won freqeunt applause by his saving. James never kept wickets better, and only one bye was registered. Detailed scores are as follow: ENGLAND. First Innings.

Sutcliffe, st James, b Vivian ... 117 Bakewell, run out 40 Duleepsinhji, c Weir, b Allcott ... 109 Hammond, not out ... 35 Ames, not out '. 9 Extras 2 Total for 3 wickets 312 PRINCE AT THE OVAL. NEW- ZEALANDERS GREETED. Received July 30, 10.35 a.m. LONDON, July 29. The rain after lunch in the cricket Test coincided with the visit of the Prince of Wales. The Prince remained for nearly an hour, but did not see any play. He shook hands with the players and told Lowry: “The last time I was at the Oval was during the Australian Test. I brought rain then, too.” GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST. ALL SEATS SOLD FOR REST OF MATCH. Received July 30, 1 p.m. LONDON, July 29. Mr Arthur Gilligan’s broadcast ac-

count of to-day’s Test match play was delivered at a specially installed microphone in Mr A. T. Donnelly’s bedroom in the Great Central Hotel which Sir Thomas Wilford requested the Post Office to provide. Evidence of the widespread public interest in the match is shown by the fact that every seat at the oval is sold out for the rest of the match. IMPERIAL CRTCKET CONFERENCE. NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTED. Received July 30. 8.35 a.in. LONDON, July 29. The Imperial Cricket Conference was held this afternoon to discuss Test qualifications. Messrs Donnelly and Sims represented New Zealand. BROADCAST CONVERSATION. RECEPTION IN NEW ZEALAND. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 30. The attempt made by the YA stations at seven o’clock this morning to broadcast the two-way conversations between London and Wellington was not successful owing to the atmospheric conditions being adverse. It was announced that the conversation could be heard, but that it was not sufficiently clear to broadcast direct the substance of the conversation with H. Gifligan, who spoke at the request of Lowry. He paid a tribute to the fine reputation the New Zealand team had won in England, and of their fine performance in the field on the first day of the Test match. Gilligan said that the wicket was slow and very easy, and that the run of luck had been with the English team. Duleepsinhji had played a very fine innings, and Gilligan warmly eulogised it. He also remarked on the good howling of Cromb and Allcott. Another attempt to broadcast a conversation will be made to-morrow morning. LOWRY AND JARDINE TO SPEAK. Received Julv 30, 9 a.m. LONDON, July 29. It is hoped that arrangements will be made for Lowry and Jardine, the rival captains, to speak over the radio to-morrow evening to New Zealand.