BATTING DISPLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21457, 3 April 1933, Page 10

BATTING DISPLAY

HAMMOND'S GREAT INNINGS HUNDRED IN 47 MINUTES NEW ZEALAND'S HARD TASK A crowd estimated between 16,000 and 17,000 were privileged on Saturday to watch one of the greatest innings, if not the greatest, that lias c\ er been played on tlio ground. W. R. Hammond, the Gloucestershire professional, who pleased so greatly in compiling 41 on tho previous day, continued batting until twenty minutes to five oil Saturday, when England declared its innings closed with seven wickets for 548. Of this total Hammond was unbeaten with 38G to his credit, and incidentally eclipsed Bradman's record score for n test match. Bradman's score was 334 mado against England at Leeds in 1930. Hammond gave a glorious all-round display and one that greatly pleased the crowd. He monopolised a good deal of the bowling, especially later in his innings, and ran well-judged singles at times at the end of an over to face tho attack. Altogether Hammond scored 196 in boundaries, 10 sixes and 34 fours. His beautiful clean hitting, driving, footwork and clever placements will always be remembered, and tho great ovation ho received testified to the popularity of such a great batsman with tho spectators. Up to the time Hammond mado his first century he did not lift a ball, and just after passing this mark he hit a beautiful six off Dunning. He gave but two chances, a hard onehanded catch to Dunning at 134 and another to Dempster on the long off boundary at 239. After passing the 200 mark Hammond hit at almost everything, and his great hits for three sixes in succession off Newman worked the spectators to a high pitch of excitement. There was no stopping Hammond at this stage, and he was doing practical iy as lie liked with tho attack. Attractive Batting An idea of his attractive batting can bo gained from tho fact that he scored his third hundred in 47 minutes. It was beautiful, clean hitting, and at tho same time Hammond diet not becomo reckless. He made one or two uppish shots, but they fell clear of tho field. Again after tho tea adjournment, when the innings was continued for the purpose of giving Hammond an opportunity of breaking Bradman's record, tho batsman gave a sample of his best without lifting a ball. His graceful, all-round strokes, whether driving, glancing or cutting, wero always delightful to watch, and it would be difficult to imagine that any batsman in tho world to-day could give a better all-round exhibition. Page, the New Zealand captain, will have cause to remember the innings if only for the powerful drives which ho was called upon to stop at mid-off. Wyatt, who was unbeaten with 56 on the previous day, added only four more to his total when he was completely beaten by a ball from Dunning which whipped in sharply from the off. Paynter, the left-hander, who headed the test batting averages against Australia, was expected to be more aggressive, and it was a tribute to the New Zealand bowling and fielding that ho was in 70 minutes for 23 runs. He eventually lost his wicket by playing Dunning on to his wicket. Ho was batting for 109 minutes for 36 runs and hit two fours, and altogether his display was not of tho quality expected from him. In partnership with Hammond he added 149 runs. a' Ames Forces Pace Ames was in long enough to show his batting ability, and impressed by his free style, but it was evident ho was intent on forcing tho pace. Ho was clean bowled by Badcock, who then had taken his first wicket in 44 overs. Allen never appeared very comfortable, but Brown was going nicely up to the time he was caught. Voce also mado some pretty strokes, whilo Duckworth was content to hold his wicket intact for Hammond. When Ames was dismissed the total was 347 for four wickets. Alien, Brown, Voce and Duckworth scored 47 between them, and as the total was taken to 548, Hammond added over 150 runs during their stay at tho wickets. Page, tho New Zealand captain, had an unenviable task in handling the New Zealand attack. In spite of frequent changes Hammond could not bo subdued. It was not a day for bowlers, however, tho wicket playing well, and being all in favour of tho batsmen. The brunt of the bowling fell upon Badcock, and he bowled very steadily right through his 59 overs, 16 of which were maidens. Occasionally in the afternoon he made a ball get up and ho richly deserved his two wickets at a cost of 126 runs. Dunning bowled very well in the morning, and again for a stage just after lunch. He sent down 43 overs, five maidens, for 156 runs and two wickets. At times Freeman bowled with a good length and even had Hammond playing him, but he never looked dangerous. He bowled 20 overs, ono maiden, and took one wicket for 91 runs. Weir on his second turn with tho ball met with more success, and captured two wickets. In all he bowled 11 overs, two maidens, for 39 runs. Some Fine Fielding The New Zealanders had an extremely tiring day in tho field and this began to tell later in the afternoon. On tho whole tho fielding was fairly good. Page did some brilliant work at midoff, and Dunning was also conspicuous for some smart fielding. Badcock, who is still suffering from an injury to his right hand, stopped some particularly hard shots cleanly with his left hand. Had Dunning caught Hammond it would have been a great catch. Tho fieldsman got his right hand to a high ball, but it failed to stick. Dempster misjudged the catch on tho boundary from Hammond and split his hand which caused his retirement from the field. James again gave a splendid display, only seven byes being registered against him. England was in a fine position at the conclusion of tho first day's play and thoroughly consolidated that position on Saturday. The best Now Zealand can hope for is to make tho match a draw, and to attain this object will have to bat all day to-day. it will therefore bo necessary for the batting to show great improvement on that in the first innings. Now Zealand now requires 383 runs to avoid an innings' defeat. In the five overs bowled in New Zealand's second innings Mills and Whitelaw scored four each, and neither appeared troubled by tho attack. Allen, who opened the bowling for England, bowled with more pace thr<n on tho first day, and will urobably bo used moro freely than in the first innings. The takings for the match to date amount to about £ISOO, and schoolboys' tickets have yet to come in. The cash takings on Saturday wero £795 2s 6d. This sum does not include reserved stand accommodation. Tho Gov-ernor-General, Lord Bledisloe, was an interested spectator at the match. Jho match will be resumed at 11 o clock this morning.