BATSMEN SUBDUED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 12

BATSMEN SUBDUED

SLOW BOWLEES' SUCCESS GARRARD AND VIVIAN WICKETS FALL CHEAPLY It was clearly proved in yesterday's play that the majority of the M.C.C. batsmen showed a dislike to the slow bowlers. Parks and Barber who had made 98 at the conclusion of play on Saturday continued confidently on resuming yesterday to the bowling of Cowie and Matheson. When Garrard took up the attack, however, the batsmen did not show the same freedom and ability to place their shots past the fieldsmen. Vivian also subdued the pair. Cowie was unlucky when Barber had added six runs to his not out score in hitting tho batsman's off-stump without dislodging the bail. Tho partnership between Barber and Parks was not broken until 159 runs had been scored. Barber at 69 gave a hard chance to Matheson in the slips off Garrard, the fieldsman juggling with tho ball from hand to hand and nearly making a brilliant catch. In hitting out at 'tho same bowler he was well taken in tho outfield by Whitelaw. Barber batted for 135 minutes and hit one four and a six. B.e did not score a boundary yesterday. Barber has proved a far more solid than an aggressive batsman. Parks wan much more subdued than on Saturday, due to the accurate attack of Auckland's slow trundlers. He scored 54 on Saturday in 80 minutes and added M to his total yesterday in 70 minutes. He was troubled by Garrard who was unlucky in not having the batsman stumped with his total at 66. Parks went out but the ball came up quickly and Edmonds failed to gather it cleanly. Nevertheless, it was a close decision. Parks batted for 150 minutes and hit five fours. He also failed to hit a boundary yesterday. Scoring Slackens With dismissal of Barber and Parks the scoring rate slackened considerably. M.C.C. had two wickets down for 1"2 and then lost five batsmen with the addition of 41 runs. In scoring 31 in 80 minutes Hardstaff failed to reveal the form he showed iD Australia. At the start he_ was not timing well and throughout bis innings this fault was noticeable. He hit two boundaries, but like some of the other visitj ing batsmen did not appear comfortable against the slow trundlers. Holmes, the visiting captain, impressed by his free and stylish batting, but he failed to get a start, falling to a good catch to tho opposing captain off his own bowling. When Lyttelton and Sims were associated M.C.C. was definitely s on the defensive. The pair settled down to quiet batting and added 99 runs for tho eighth wicket. Lyttelton was strong in driving and later in his innings showed confidence in stepping out to Garrard. Sims scored chiefly in placements to the on side and displayed a very sound defence. Lyttelton batted for 94 minutes in scoring 60 and hit four fours and one six. Sims made 52 in 77 minutes and hit four fours. A fine bowling performance was put up by Garrard, who in 43 overs, two maidens, took four wickets for 114 runs. Garrard had a long spell at the bowling crease, and his length throughout was good. Turning the ball with an occasional delivery which came straight through, he had the batsmen clearly worried. It was unfortunate for him that rain set in and made the ball so difficult to handle. Nevertheless, under these difficult circumstances, he still trundled well, and had chances been accepted he would have finished with better figures. Steady Bowling The Auckland captain, Vivian, also bowled to great advantage, and his figures show the steadiness of his attack. Out of 27 overs, 13 were maidens, and only 42 runs were scored off him while he took three wickets. Cowie, like other fast bowlers, obtained no assistance from the wicket. However, he trundled for the most part very, steadily and bowled well .yesterday morning. In 21 overs he had 45 runs scored off him without taking a wicket. As on Saturday, Matheson was not impressive. In all, ho sent down 19 overs for 66 runs. Later in the afternoon, when the game had developed more or less, into holiday cricket, Hook took three wickets for jiine runs. Many thought that Vivian should .have given him a trial earlier, but the Auckland captain and Garrard were trundling so effectively for a long time that this was. not possible, j It was evident that Vivian had decided not to use the player-coach, L. F. Townsend. He bowled only seven overs at a cost of 33 runs.