POOR CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21456, 1 April 1933, Page 12

POOR CRICKET

NEW ZEALAND OUTCLASSED BOWLERS HAVE DAY OUT UNINSPIRING EXHIBITION The most disappointing featuro of the play yesterday was the failure of the New Zealand batsmen under conditions which were all in their favour. No excuse can be mado for the failure, as the wicket was an ideal one and when Pago won the toss the least that was expected of the team was to make a total approaching tho 300 mark. The one redeeming feature of New Zealand's innings was tho gallant stand made by Dempster when prospects were particularly black for his side. Dempster's innings will go down as one of tho best of his career. lie faced all the bowling with the utmost confidence and scored well all round, but his placements on tho leg side were particularly fino, while he used his feet freely in a manner which could have well been copied by some of the other batsmen. Always offering a stubborn defence. Dempster at the same time never lost a scoring opportunity, while his running between the wickets was oxcollently judged. There were many regrets when ho did not reach his century, but the value of his innings was fully recognised by tho English team, which joined in the ovation he received on returning to the pavilion. Page, the New Zealand captain, was batting well until the time of his dismissal and with Dempster was the only New Zealand batsman who appeared comfortable, although Whitelaw batted soundly for his runs. Cream of Batting When tho Englishmen went to the wickets they treated the spectators to some splendid cricket, although there were many who were a little disappointed in Sutcliffe. The cream of batting came from Hammond and it was easily understood how he has made such a great reputation. Hammond's footwork alono was well worth seeing, while the ease and grace with which he executed his scoring shots and the remarkable power he placed behind them left something to marvel at. Hammond's exhibition ranks as one of the best batting displays seen in Auckland for many years and ho can be classed with the greatest batsmen of tho past. Suffering somewhat in comparison with Hammond as regards grace, Wyatt nevertheless proved a very sound batsman and showed a wide range of scoring shots which were splendidly timed. Ho was particularly strong on the on side, but his driving was also very powerful. The match opened just as sensationally as the first test in Christchurch, only this time it was New Zealand which made tho bad start. Two wickets to Bowes in his first over and no runs on the board made prospects anything but bright for tho home team. Mills was the first to go in attempting to cut a ball which swung late and ho was clean bowled. It was rather surprising that a batsman of the experience of Mills should attempt such a shot so early in the innings. Weir was bowled in a similar manner to Mills, only he being a righthander, the ball swung in to him. Both batsmen were completely beaten by the flight of the ball. Novel Experience It must have been a somewhat novel experience for Dempster to go in to stop the hat-trick. Dempster was late in arriving at tho ground, owing to tho train being late, and he was not in time to open the innings, which, perhaps, was very unfortunate for New Zealand. So well did Dempster perform his task that ho went through the rest of the innings and had 83 to his credit at tho end. With two wickets for no runs, Whitelaw and Dempster set about to retrievo the situation. Both scored in singles, chiefly with placements through the leg held. Wyatt soon made a bowling change, Mitchell, the slow break bowler, relieving Allen, who had bowled only five overs. This was the only time Allen bowled during the innings and only occasionally did he send down his faster ball. It was noticeable that Allen did not make the ball bump, nor did any of tho English fast bowlers. Mitchell was short in length in his first over and Dempster twice hooked him for a brace. Whitelaw, who had batted soundly for 12 in 40 minutes, snicked Bowes luckily for four, but was bowled ir. the same over. Bowes was proving troublesome and in six overs, two maidens, ho had taken three 'wickets for 11. Dempster continued to play confidently, using his feet well to Mitchell, and when Voco replaced Bowes the batsman hooked a short one to the boundary. Kerr was in 15 minutes before opening his account, but 50 appeared in 58 minutes. A period of slow play followed. Wyatt fielded short midoff to Kerr when the batsman was facing Mitchell. Kerr, for a batsman who ran use his feet well, was unusually subdued against the slow howler. Pago and Dempster brightened up the batting considerably, scoring 11 off Brown's first over. The pair were also running well between tho wickets. Page sent Brown twice to the boundary in tho next over. Tho New Zealand captain was batting well, but lost his wicket on reaching the twenties. Ho walked out to hit Mitchell, who had relieved Brown, to leg. The ball swung away, Page missed it, and Duckworth had the bails off in a flash—a brilliant piece of stumping. Nono of the other batsmen gave much trouble, Badcock and James both being cleam bowled by Bowes in playing right bach. Dunning and Newman endeavoured to utay with Dempster, who was now scoring at a faster rate, Dempster and Newman added 25 for the ninth wicket and with Freeman in Dempster still looked likely to reach his century. However, Freeman was run out through being far 100 slow in going for a second run. Bowes Proves Troublesome Bowes proved the most successful English bowler in taking six wickets for 34 runs. Ho bowled 19 overs, five of which were maidens. Bowes was very effective with the new ball, swinging deceptively, while, with the exception of Dempster and Page, he had all the batsmen worried. His length was consistent and only occasionally he bowled a short one. Many thought he was a faster trundlcr, but a good deal of his effectiveness came as a result of making pace off tho wicket. Voce, the fast left-hander, who look two wickets, must havo found tho wicket not quite to hin liking, as he did not make tho ball fly at any stage. It is well known that the ball at Eden Park does not rise as high as on southern wickets. Voce took his wickets at a cost of 20 runs. Mitchell was inclined to ho short in his first two overs, but after this bowled with a good length and, with the exception of Bowes, most of the attack was entrusted to him. Ho bowled 18 overs, one maiden, for 49 runs and one wicket, but did not appear to present any great difficulty, although ho imparted plenty of spin to the ball. Tho English fielding was excellent, the clean picking up, returns to the wicket anil backing np being greatly admired. Duckworth gave a fino exhibition behind tho wickets. Badcock was New Zealand's steadiest bowler, as revealed by his figures, but he did not prove very troublesome. Ho bowled 18 overs. 8 maidens, for 26 runn. Dunning was inclined to be erratic, especially when ho bowled to a leg field, while Freeman was not at all consistent in length. The New Zealand fielding, except for ono or two early lapses, was good, while the form shown by James behind the wickets placed him among tho leading wjeketkeepers in the world. The match will bo continued at. 11 o clock this morning and stumps will bo % drawn at 5.30 p.m.