N.Z.E.F. Cricketers at Cairo

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 109, 9 May 1941, Page 9

N.Z.E.F. Cricketers at Cairo

MCVICAR IN GOOD FORM (N.Z.E.F. Official Nows Service.) CAIRO, April 18. A New Zealand Army XI which played a cricket match against the Gezira Sporting Club in Cairo on Easter Saturday, winning by four wickets, was responsible for some outstanding performances. 8. Betts, the Taranaki representative, took seven wickets at the I low cost of 22 runs, brought or a very tine catch on the boundary and then went on to score 50 not out in 45 minutes. With the first use of the wicket, the Gezira Club's batsmen made rather a poor showing against the bowling of Betts, and it was due to a fine innings of 75 by Brown and a useful 28 by Becher that the club reached the total of 130. Following a slow start by Etches and Rowe, a collapse took place and half the Gezira side was out for 42 runs. This brought Becher in to partner Brown and both played the bowling with confidence. Several changes were unavailing, Brown hitting B. Campbell, of Otago, for five fours in one over and hoisting the hundred w r ith a grand six off D. A. R. Moloney, the former New Zealand captain. With the score at 125, Brown, attempting to hit another six, was brilliantly caught deep in the field by Betts. This batsman had added 75, including ten fours and a six. Five runs later Becher left and Betts claimed the remaining wickets for no runs, performing the hat trick. With 00 minutes left, the New Zealanders commenced in excellent style and, when Betts joined Me Vicar, of Manawatu, victory was assured, as the partnership wicket before the latter was dismissed.

The New Zealanders opened with Moloney and Me Vicar, who played very carefully and put on 20 for the first wicket before Brown dismissed the former with his third ball. With only four more runs on the board, Rainbird, the Wellington representative, left following a smart piece of fielding by Maudsley, and Betts joined McVicar. Both stoutly resisted the attack and, once they settled down, went for the bowling in a refreshing style. The half century was sent up after 37 minutes and, despite changes in the bowling, the hundred canto after au hour by Me* V'icar taking a nice three off the bowling of Maudsley. At 102 the partnership, after realising 78, was dissolved when Brown beat McVicar with a tricky ball. He had scored 47, including six shots to the boundary. Three wickets then fell to Maudsley for 25 runs, but Betts and Campbell remained until the winning hit had been made. Betts required 48 minutes for his half century and during that time made seven hits to the boundary* GEZIRA SPORTING CLUB R. W. Etches, b Betts 14 H. C.- Rowe, lbw, b Quirk 5 F. R. Brown, c Betts, b Quirk .. 75 P. D. Sandbach, b Betts 0 J. 8. Underwood, b Betts 2 E. H. Macintosh, lbw, b Campbell 2 Sir W. F. Becher, c Dow, b Betts . 28 K. 11. Maudsley, not out 0 It. E. L. Harvey, b Betts 0 R. D. Berrington, b Betts 0 8. E. Aylward, b Betts 0 Extras 4 Total: 130 Bowling: L. B. Quirk two for 33, Betts seven for 22, Campbell one for 33 and Moloney none for 38. NEW ZEALAND ARMY XI D. A. R. Molonev, b Brown .... 14 C. McVicar, b Brown 47 W. Rainbird, run out 2 S. Betts, not out 50 Clarke, b Maudsley 8 L. B. Cowan, lbw, b Maudesley .. 0 B. J. Dow, b Maudsley 4 C. Campbell, c Berrington, b Maudsley 2 Extras 4 Total: 131 Bowling: Maudsley four for 24, Etches none for 23, Brown two for 51, and Rowe none for 29.