NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS.

THE MATCH IN SYDNEY. HOME TEAM'S GOOD SCORE. SEVEN DOWN FOR 441 RUNS. GREAT FOURTH WICKET STAND. By Telegraph—Press Association-—CopyrieM. (Received 10.."5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Jan. 1. The weather was fine, with a cool breeze when the match between New Zealand and New South Wales commenced at the Cricket Ground to-day. Tho wfckot was in excellent condition and the outfield was good. Vaughan replaced Seddon in the home team. Ratcliffe won the toss and elected to bat. When stumps were drawn for the day New South Wales had scored 441 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Play was rather slow after the dismissal of Phillips by Cunningham in the first over. The first century took 90 minutes. Brown was lucky to be missed by Patrick in the slips when he had scored 2. The New Zealanders generally fielded excellently and few balls escaped them. The bowling also was good, particularly that of Cunningham aud Allcott. All the bowlers maintaind a good length. Some of Blnnt's deliveries had the batsmen puzzled, but his loose ones, of which there were a good many, were severely punished.

Brown's play improved .is the day progressed, his partnership with Morgan yielding 46.

Erown Reaches Century. Play brightened after lunch. Ratcliffo had a narrow escape when Brown made si short stroke. Blunt jumped out and with his shot knoc'fcod the bails off, bui Ratcliffe's bat was just in Brown's century coincided with the raising of 200 in 170 minutes. In making tho stroko that brought his century Brown returned tho ball just, above Cunningham's head—a little too high for him. Brown displayed some nice strokes, particularly a square cut, with which he frequently scored boundaries. With the score at 231 Brown narrowly escaped being run out off Alloo's first ball. Patrick mado frequent changes in the bowlers in an endeavour to break the Brown-Radcliffe partnership, but the score continued to mount, both batsmen skilfully finding gaps in the field. When Ratcliffe was 65 Blunt missed a low catch at first slip. The tea adjournment saw tho score 278 for three wickets, Brown being 143 and Ratcliffo 75. End of Fine Partnership. Shortly after tea Dac.ro dropped an easy catch from Brown off Patrick. In the latter's second over after the adjournment Brown hit him to Dacre at covet* point and the latter accepted the chance. Brown received an ovation on returning to the pavilion. He hit 21 fours. ITie board read three wickets for 83 and then four for 312. Brown occupied this crease for 23-4 minutes Ratcliffe continued to bat brightly and boundaries appeared frequently, but the fielding prevented many from ground strokes. Dacre, Worker and Lowry were outstanding fieldmen, but all were good. Blunt proved a very expensive bowler, but Patrick persisted in using him. After batting for 191 minutes Ratcliffe was clean bowled by Allcott. He hit 13 fours and gave a good exhibition of cricket, placing his shots cleverly. He was warmly applauded on leaving the field. The fourth century appeared after 283 minutes' play. Bardsley hit strongly all round the wicket. Details of the scores are:— NEW SOUTH WALES.—First Innings. Phillips, b Cunningham. . . . . . 1 Brown, c Dacre, d Patrick . . . . 168 Scanes b Allcott . . . . . . 17

Morgan, c Oliver, b Cunningham . . 29 Ratcliffe, b Allcott 128 R. Bardsley, not out 54 Punch, c Allcott, b Mcßeath . . . . 13 Vaughan, b Cunningham . . . . 11 Nicholls, not out 10 Extras . . . . . . . . 10

Total for soven wickers . , . . 441 THE SHEFFIELD SHIELD NEW SOUTH WALES WIN. BOWLERS TAKE COMMAND. \ Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 9.35 p.it:.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 1. The Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria was concluded in fine weather and on a good wicket. Victoria in their second innings made 130 (Earing 30, Ponsford 25 not out). Bowling for New South Wales, Kelleway tdok three wickets for 12 runs, Mailey three for 34, Gregory two for 57. New South Wales won by an innings and 162 runs. It was a hopeless fight for Victoria from the commencement of the day's play and the New South Wales bowlers took command.