THE FINAL TEST

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11436, 5 February 1923, Page 7

THE FINAL TEST

ENGLISH TEAM SCORE SPLENDID TOTAL OF 401 LOWRY,* NEW’ZEALAND, COMPILES 130 NEW ZEALAND LOSE FIVE WICKETS FOR 178 FINE STAND BY* COLLINS AND BLUNT The weather again favoured' the cricketers on Saturday, and conditions were well-nigh perfect. 1316 wicket was nothing less than a batsman’s paradise, and the omtfield was true> and fast. When stumps were drawn on Friday, the M.C.C. team had three wickets down for 180, with Chapman and Lowry the unbeaten pair. The former, who had batted weH for 69 on the previous day, added only two to his total, and Calthorpe, the next man, was bowled by Brice before scoring. At this stage the score stood at 189 for five wickets down, but a fine partnership between I’C'wry and McLean was responsible for 106 runs. Both men attacked tho bowling with vigour, and were at the wickets for 59 minutes. When McLean was dismissed, Hartley joined < the New Zealander, and the pair put on 58, of which Lowry was responsible for 42. The remainder of the team did not give much trouble, and Lowry was unlucky in not carrying his bat, being the last man to fall. Ho played a great innings for 130, and treated the spectators to an aggressive display of all-round batting. He hit-ten 4’e and one 6. • The innings closed for 401, and this gave New Zealand 235 to get in order to save an innings defeat. Bernau, Mcßeath, and Brice were the most successful of the New Zealand attack, and secured three for 68, three for 81, and two for 75 respectively. As in the first innings, New Zealand again opened badly, and Bernau and Shepherd both failed te make a stand, leaving two wickets down for 14. Dacre and Collins carried the score on to 45 before the Auckland man was caught off Freeman by McLean for 17. Then Blunt was associated with his captain ,in a century partnership which placed New Zealand on a better footing. The pair brought the score up to 149 before Collins was' caught by McLean off Gibson. The Wellington player received a great ovation for his fighting innings. Lambert then joined Blunt, but after quickly reaching double figures was caught by Wilkinson, and then Garrard and Blunt played out time, leaving the score at 178 for five wickets. Blunt had 65 to his credit and Garrard 5. ‘ Freeman was the best of the English bowlers, and secured three for 64. The attendance was 5000, and the amount taken at the gate £354.