CRICKET SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22353, 26 February 1936, Page 20

CRICKET SEASON

MATCH AGAINST M.C.C. STYLISH BATTING DISPLAYS VISITORS' CORRECT METHODS Although the match lost a great deal of its interest from a competitive viewpoint, owing to rain curtailing play and precluding a decision, the game between the M.C.C. team and Auckland at Eden Park provided enthusiasts with an entertaining all-round display of cricket. While the easy wicket conditions hampered the bowlers throughout, providing opportunity for little better than consistency of length, on the other hand the spectators were given a chance to appreciate several fine exhibitions of correct and stylish batsmanship. The outstanding feature of the game was the brilliant display for 113 by Wallace, the Auckland colt, who, with comparatively little experience behind him, provided an exhibition of batting that would have done credit to a veteran. Immaculate in style, Wallace pursued a confident policy throughout his innings that enabled him to reveal his wide range of scoring shots. Associated with Whitelaw, who also revealed good form in making 73, Wallace helped to add 186 runs in a valuable second-wicket partnership that put Auckland on the road toward a fine score. The Auckland professional coach, L. F. Townsend, assisted materially with a brisk display, while Matheson. a consistent batsman in first-class cricket, again did his share. While particular interest centred in the appearance of the express bowler H. D. Read, it was apparent that the Englishman was up against a difficult proposition in making his deliveries leave the easy wicket at anything like his customary speed. The best bowling performance for M.C.C. was given by Langridge, who maintained a splendid length, flighted the ball cleverly, and varied his pace off the pitch. A lesson in the correctness of stroke production and the placing of shots was to be learned from the M.C.C. opening batsmen, Barber and Parks. Parks showed the more initiative in making his 88, although it was apparent that Barber had the necessary shots and power had he decided upon a freer policy; More aggressive were Lyttelton and Sims. Both batsmen were in difficulties for a start against the Auckland slow bowlers, but bright cricket was witnessed when they decided to relegate their defensive policy. Some of their powerful forcing shots on the off side gave the fieldsmen little chance. Credit must go to both Garrard and Vivian for bearing the brunt of Auckland's bowling work. Up to the time when a shower of rain on Monday rendered the wicket particularly easy and the ball greasy, both were turning the ball well and keeping a fine length. In a lengthy spell against such fine batsmen, Vivian is to be commended for his figures of three wickets for 42. Garrard earned every one of his four wickets, and with a little luck would have had more. THIRD TEST MATCH CHANGES IN DOMINION TEAM Interest will now centre in the third unofficial test match between the M.C.C. side and New Zealand, which will be played at Eden Park on next Friday, Saturday and Monday. Both the first two games were drawn, M.C.C. holding a distinct advantage at the close of play in the first match, while New Zealand was unlucky not to secure a decision in the second. Details of the games are as follows: First Test.—New Zealand: 81 and 205 for seven wickets. M.C.C.: 653 for five wickets, declared. Second Test. —New Zealand: 242 and 229 for three wickets, declared. M.C.C.: 156 and 130 for seven wickets. The team for the match commencing on Friday shows four changes from that which played in the second game • at Wellington, Weir, Lamason, Roberts and Blundell having been replaced by Whitelaw, Cowie, Matheson and Griffiths. Roberts was not available. The New Zealand side presents a solid all-round appearance and is expected to make a good showing. If the Eden Park wicket is as even paced as it was for the recent M.C.C.-Auckland game, the New Zealand team possesses several batsmen capable of making many runs. , . . The attack provides a good variety, although it is not quite up to the standard one would desire. Cowie and - Matheson will handle the fast to medium-fast attack, Vivian and Elmes are., slow left-handers, while Griffiths and Cromb are slow right-handers. The spin bowlers should meet with the success, as a number of the English batsmen have shown diffidence in dealing with this type of bowling. WOMEN'S MATCH AUCKLAND TEAM'S DISPLAY The recent visit to Auckland of the Wellington women's cricket representatives provided local patrons with some interesting play. When the Auckland team was chosen there were several players who were expected to give strong support to the side. The first innings of 69 could be classed a rank failure, but the Aucklanders did better in their second innings, especially Miss M. Hutton-Whitelaw and Miss E. Smithyman. Miss J. Riddolls reached double figures in each innings. She was not out on the first occasion and was run out in the second innings. There was more reason to be pleased W'ith the performances of the Auckland bowlers. Misses E. and J. Page returned good averages, while Misses E. Smithyman and C. Lynch also performed particularly well. Miss Lynch created a surprise Iby returning the best figures among the Auckland bowlers. She secured four wickets for 9 run 3 in Wellington's second innings. A noticeable weakness was the Auckland fielding, lack of anticipation being the principal fault. One or two players stood out for first-class work, but the general standard was poor. The players should learn to anticipate the various strokes and, if possible, get into position to intercept the ball. On the whole the returning to wicket was comparatively good. SARAZEN'S RETURN VISIT Gene Sarazen, the American professional golfer, who is to visit Australia and New Zealand again this year, informs hi? Australian friends that he is " "hitting the ball better than ever, and the only thing that will prevent , him from doing something big this year is breaking a leg." Sarazen hlbo expresses his willingness to accept all or any money challenges for singles matches while on his tour.