FINE PARTNERSHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 13

FINE PARTNERSHIP

186 RUNS ADDED , CENTURY TO W. M. WALLACE - . i PARKS AND BARBER IMPRESS The splendid second-wicket partnership between Wallace and Whitelaw. which yielded 186 runs, placed Auckland in an excellent position to makp a large score. After the dismissal of Wallace, however, four more batsmen were out -with the addition of only 25 runs. It seemed likely at this stage that the home side would collapse, but Townsend and Matheson saved the situation. When the innings was declared closed the pair had added 86 for the seventh wicket. Again the colt Wallace gave a sparkling exhibition in adding 45 runs to his total of the previous day. Using pretty and well-timed all-round shots he delighted the spectators and received a great ovation on reaching his century, the first he has scored against an overseas tea in. Wallace made his first Plunket Shield century against Canterbury in Auckland during the New Year holidays. Starting on Saturday with the greatest confidence, he played two fine hook shots off Read, the M.C.C. fast bowler, the second being just short of a six. He showed aggressiveness against Holmes, but none of the bowlers proved troublesome to him. Throughout Wallace batted with the nonchalance of a veteran, this being especially noticeable as the colt approached his hundred. He batted for 160 minutes and hit 11 fours. His was a chanceless displav and he fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Parks in the slips. Brilliant Colt Judged on his present form it is doubtful whether New Zealand has produced at the age of 19 a better colt as a batsman than Wallace. He also has the attribute of being a fine field. Wallace, who was coached by A. F. Wensley, the Sussex professional, has scored 1037 runs to date this season. His figures are as follows: — Opponents Inn. N.O. H.S. Total Club .. .. 13 2 101* 401 Provinces .. 6 0 100 335 Maorilanders .. 1 1 169* 169 M.C.C 2 113 ll 3 132 It is interesting to recall that Wensley nominated Wallace as a coming New Zealand batsman during the period the professional acted as coach to the Auckland Cricket Association. In recognition of his innings Wallace has been presented with a bat by an anonymous donor. One of the pleasing features of the innings was that Whitelaw showed glimpses of returning to his best form. He was more confident on Saturday, but was still troubled by the slow bowlers. He eventually fell to a good ball from Sims. His fault appeared to be in his footwork. After passing 50 he had a narrow escape from being stumped off Human and at 68 he played a dangerous swinging shot to Langridge. Whitelaw was at the wickets for 165 minutes and hit six fours. Holmes, the visiting captain, tried six bowlers in an effort to break the partnership between Wallace and Whitelaw. Vivian did not appear at home to Langridge, the batsman eventually being smartly stumped off the lefthand trundler. Postles could not play Sims. He was missed behind the wickets off this bowler and luckily spooned the next delivery safely. Sims dismissed the batsman legbefore under the new rule. Dull Period After Hook had been well beaten by Langridge, Matheson luckily snicked the bowler clear of his wickets off the . first ball he received. The Auckland player-coach, L. F. Townsend, was subdued, but occasionally he opened out and drove powerfully to the boundary, this brightening a dull period of the game. At 21 Townsend was caught off a no-ball from Read, and at 32 gave a hard chance to Hardstaff at deep extra cover off Sims. Both Townsend and Matheson took risks and it was to be expected that luck must favour them. Matheson executed some nice drives. Townsend, although reaching his fifty, failed badly in "connecting'' with his leg shots to Sims and Read. He made several attempts without success. Townsend (53 not out) batted for 111 minutes and hit six fours. Matheson (38 not out) was in for 76 minutes and hit two fours. The action of Vivian, the Auckland captain, in declaring the innings closed was greatly appreciated by the spectators. This gave them the opportunity of seeing the Englishmen bat. Langridge, the former assistant player-coach to the Auckland Association, was the most successful of the M.C.C. bowlers. He took three wickets for 54 runs in 28 overs, seven of which were maidens. He spun and flighted his deliveries cleverly, made pace at times, and a well-disguised slower ball had the batsmen worried. Sims in 34 overs, eight maidens, took two wickets for 72 runs. He was unlucky that his figures did not read better, although he was not quite so consistent as on the first day of play. Sims bowled splendidly at one stage from the south end, it then appearing that he and Langridge might go through the home side. Parks was not so effective as on the first day, while Holmes sent down several loose deliveries. Read, the fast bowler, failed to take a wicket on Saturday. He made a little more pac<» off the pitch, but generally his length was erratic. Pleasing Display A pleasing exhibition of solid and correct batting was given by Parks and Barber, who opened M.C.C.'s innings. The ease with which they made their placements was a treat to watch, especially to the on side. Both scored all round the wicket, moving freely to the ball and making the Auckland bowling look easy. At one stage Parke was well ahead of his partner, who, however, scored consistently later. Parks hit five fours in making 54 not out. Barber, 42 not out, hit the only six of the match to date, a powerful but effortless shot over the mid-on fence off Vivian. Barber also hit one four. Cowie was the only Auckland bowler who appeared likely to effect a separation. His eight overs, two maidens, cost 15 runs. Matheson was much more

erratic than usual.