AFRICAN CRICKETERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 11

AFRICAN CRICKETERS.

DOMINION TOUR OPENS.

MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND.

HOME TEAM'S GOOD TOTAL. EIGHTH-WICKET PARTNERSHIP. The South African cricket team opened its brief tour of New Zealand yesterday with a match against the Auckland eleven at Eileti Park. The weather was warm and there was a very good attendance for an off day. The wicket was in splendid order and G. L. Weir was fortunate in winning the kes from H. B. Cameron. At 0110 stage, however, it appeared as though Auckland would be dismissed for a poor total, but a splendid eighth-wicket partnership of 117 runs between F. W. Byerley and A. M. Matheson, placed a different complexion upon the game, and the home side finished up with the good score of 296 for eight wickets. The South African bowlers held the upper hand until it became evident they were feeling the effects of their sea journey from Australia. They had arrived only about four hours before play commenced, and under the circumstances the team did very well.

Byerley's exhibition of hitting was the best seen in a representative game at Eden Park for a long time, and Auckland has to thank him and Matheson for making the match so interesting. Play will bp resumed at 11 o'clock this morning. Patrons are advised that official souvenir brochures are being sold inside the gates at Eden Park for 6d each. Other programmes are not recognised by the Auckland Cricket Association. Good Length Bowling. Mills and Postles opened Auckland's innings to the bowling of Quinn and Brown T. Lyon, Auckland's twelfth man, fielded substitute for Taylor, who was suffering from a slight cold. Both bowlers kept a fine length, varying pace and flight in a manner which had the Aucklanders puzzled. With the board showing 13 Quinn was spelled in favour of McMillan. The batsmen were finding it hard to get the bowlers away on account of the very slow outfield, and the well-placed fieldsmen. Postles was the first to reach double figures in 22 minutes. Both batsmen were uncomfortable to Brown at this stage, but Cameron preferred to change him with the total at 20, in favour of Quinn. Mills lost his wicket by playing McMillan on. 22—1—9.

Weir joined Postles, his first scoring shot being a two through the slips at Quinn's expense. He shaped very poorly when facing McMillan in the next over, being beaten badly on two occasions. Postles scored the first boundary of the match off the same bowler, sweeping him to the leg fence. Morkel took over from McMillan with the total at 40, Postles sending a short one over the slips' heads. He took » nice four off Balaskas with a chop through the gully, to bring 50 up in 92 minutes, his own total reading 35. Although scoring in singles, Weir showed much more confidence, several fine drives being cut off by a cleverly-set field.

Postles attempted to hook a short ball from Morkel, missed, ,-ind was temporarily knocked out from a blow on the chest. Weir then relieved the slow scoring with two successive glances to the leg fence. Postles immediately afterwards fell a victim to Balaskas, Morkel taking an easy catch at short mid-on. 64—2—36. Dismissal of Weir.

Vivian came next and swung the first ball from Balaskas to the fine leg boundary. A double bowling change saw McMillan and Quinn again handling the attack. The scoring rate slowed appreciably Brown replaced Quinn, and then in McMillan's next over Weir attempted to hook one. lifted it overmuch, and Quinn took a fine low catch at deep mid-on 76—3—20. Frater, the newcomer, was content to settle down and watch his partner score. Ihe 100 appeared in exactly two hours. The score at afternoon tea was 105 for three wickets, Vivian having 26 to his credit and Frater 9.

Brown and McMillan took up the attack after the interval. Brown bowled but one over before giving away to Christy, who got Frater l.b.w. with his first ball. 107—4—10.

Vivian failed to stay with his new partner. Allcott, being snapped up behind the wickets off McMillan. 111—5—27.

McCoy joined Allcott and after hitting a four off McMillan tried to repeat the procedure and was clean bowled. 123 6—4.

Bverley partnered Allcott, •who lifted McMillan into the outfield, where Viljoen badly misjudged the flight of the ball. Allcott shortly afterwards hit a boundary off McMillan with an uppish shot through the slips to reach his twenties. Byerley Aggressive.

Quinn replaced Brown at the bowling crease. Byerley opened out confidently to McMillan, scoring a brace, four and single off successive balls. Balaskas then came on in Quinn's place. Byerley continued to hat aggressively, and when next facing McMillan pulled him for a brace and nextball lifted a fine six.

The 150 appeared in three hours. Allcott failed to survive the first ball of Balaskas' next over, being caught close in on the leg side by Brown. 1577 —26. Matheson came next to partner Bverjey, the last-named hitting his second six off McMillan. Brown replaced McMillan and nearly secured Byerley's wicket when the batsman skied one which dropped between tlio covers.

Byerley then created a sensation by scoring 17 off the next four balls lie received from Balaskas—two fours, a six and a three. Nineteen came off the over and the second hundred appeared in three avid a-half hours.

Byerley reached his 50 in 41 minutes by hitting Balaskas to the leg fence. son proceeded with more caution than his partner, but was not adverse to Hashing a loose ball from Brown through the covers.

Several bowling changes were tried in an endeavour to sever the partnership, but- the pair proceeded confidently and quietly. Matheson ran into his thirties with his partner at 62. The 250 was up in three and three-quarter hours, four leg byes bringing up the century partnership. Quitin at last got through Byerley's defence. The batsman was accorded a big ovation to which the visitors contributed. 274—8—77. Matheson reached his 50 in 66 minutes, the total at stumps being 296, Matheson 55 not out, and Cleverley 6 not out. Following are the scores:— AUCKLAND.—First Innings. J. E. Mills, b McMillan 9 A. J. I'ostles, c Morkel. b Balaskas . . 36 G. L. Weir, c Quinn, b McMillan . . 20 IT. G. Vivian, c Cameron, b McMillan 27 I?, E. Frater, lbw, b Christy . . . . 10 C. F. W. Allcott, c Brown, b Balaskas 26 A. W. McCoy, b McMillan 4 F. W. Byerley, b Quinn . . . . .. 77 A. M. Matheson, not out 55 D. C. Cleverley, not out ...... 6 Extras 26 Total- for eight wickets . .. . . 296

Bowling. 0. M. B. W. N. A. Quinn . . 22 7 42 1 L. S. Biown . . 19 6 31 — A. McMillan . . 34 6 116 41 X. Balaskas .. 13 3 59. a D. P. B. Morkel 4 1 U — J. A. J. Christy 5 — 11 i