Dull Game With Sussex

Northern Advocate, 30 May 1949, Page 7

Dull Game With Sussex

Commenting on the New Zealahders’ first day against Sussex, the Sunday Express said: “Despite their first reverse of the tour at Oxford, the New Zealanders have agreed not to make any change ih their announced policy of playing bright cricket. “But two parties are necessary to complete the bargain. “Winning the toss, the Sussex batsmen contributed little, if anything, to this brighter cricket idea.” Dull sea breezes provided the only life about the ground at Hove when Sussex won the toss and could score only 170 for four wickets against the New Zealanders on an easy batsman's wicket. Rain prevented play - until two o’clock, but the wicket had been entirely covered and was thoroughly dry. With W. A. Hadlee taking his first rest Wallace captained the New Zealand team. Cowie bowled eight overs to John Langridge and Smith and then found the leg muscle which he strained at Leicester troubling him again. He retired until Monday. Langridge, who at one time was in the running for 1000 runs in May, added 92 not out to his total of 625. PLODDING INNINGS He is not a stroke player and plodded along quietly against steady bowling by Hayes,. Cress well, Burke and Rcmone. He brightened up in the last halfhour, probably with the intention of reaching a century during the weekend but it was not an impressive innings and he was rather lucky to get as far as he did. When Langridge was 14 J. Reid might have caught him at first slip off Cowie. The ball flashed like a streak and hit the New Zealander on the wrist. Cresswell'could have had Langridge caught and fowled when the Sussex batsman drove the ball straight back at him. Cresswell was a little off his balance and the batsmen ran four. Rabone got his first wicket with his third bowl of the day when he bowled the left-hander, Smith. FIELDING BELOW STANDARD After tea Hayes bowled C. Oakes with a ball that kept low. Bartlett, who in his prime scored the fastest century on record against the Australians in 1938 in 55 minutes, thumped around with some cheerfulness until he scooped a long hop from Burke to Smith at cover. Mooney caught Cox off Burke.

The first hour’s play brought 30 runs and the average rate for the whole afternoon did not rise much above 40. The New Zealanders’ fielding was not quite up to the standard they have set hitherto. Their batting order will be: Sutcliffe, Reid, Smith, Wallace, Donnelly, Rabone, Mooney, Burke, Cowie, Hayes, Cresswell. Scores: SUSSEX First Innings John Langridge, not out .. 92 Smith, b Rabone 30 Oakes, b Hayes 4 Bartlett, c Smith. Burke 25 Cox, c Mooney, b Burke 4 James Langridge, not out 3 - Extras 12 Total (for 4 wkts) 170

Bowling: Cowie 8 overs, 4 maidens, runs, 0 wickets; Hayes 18, 2, 37, 1; Qrcsi well 22, 10, 30 0; Burke 15, 4, 29. : Rabone 14, 2. 45 1; Reid 3. 1,7, ( Sutcliffe 1,0, 2, 0.