CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18755, 8 January 1923, Page 7

CRICKET.

THE SECOND TEST. NEW ZEALAND’S TOTAL, 375. 'THE ENGLISHMEN BATTING. SEVEN WICKETS DOWN FOR 329. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 6. The second Tost match was resumed today in bright, sunny weather, before an attendance of between 6COO and 7000. The day's play leaves the match in a very interesting position, though it is almost certain to he drawn. Thu new Zealand tail improved tho score by over 60, M'Girr batting without, a mistake. The Englishmen’s fielding was crisp all through, and their bowling was steady. Tho Englishmen did not begin their innings 100 promisingly, hut Chapman and Wilkinson put up a valuable stand, as did Lowry and Hartley, and Hartley and Brand, later.. Tho New Zealand bowling was very steady till the tea adjournment, but then it fell olf. It was also not too well handled towards the close. The fielding was excellent at tho start, though three or four fairly easy catches were dropped, but towards the finish it slackened olf considerably. 3he missed catches did Jiot make much difference to the score, with the exception of Lowry, who put on over 40 after being dropped. Tlic wicket was wearing well, and play was interesting right through. Disaster came early to New Zealand, as with only two runs added Bernan was cnughl at third man. 315—8—2. Alcott followed to the crease. M'Girr and Alcott, once they got. going, batted attractively, particularly the former, mid runs cuino quickly. Three hundred and fifty appeared for 241 mr; ,!es’ play, hut 10 runs later MacLeaii took Alcott behind tho wickets. 360-9-16. Condliffe was the last man. M'Girr continued to bat nicely, and tho total was taken to 375 before Condliffe was dismissed Ibw to the bowling of Freeman. Tho innings lasted 259 minutes. The Knglishme i opeiusl with Titchmarsh and Wilson to the howling of M'Girr and Alcott. Scoring was very slow, Alcott sending down 10 overs, which yielded nine runs. With tho score at 17 r J ilchmarsh was liadly dropped by Shepherd at short leg, but just afterwards tho same fieldsman smartlv caught Wilson. 22 I—6. Wilkinson was the next man. The batting was still slow, Alcott sending down seven overs for one run. Titchmarsh skied one just clear of Collins, and was then clean howled by Bernan. 43—2—13. Matters at once livened un when Chapman joined Wilkinson, but the newf ciiier hud n couple of narrow escapes hv elevated strokes. The score was 62 at the luncheim adjournmentAfter the adjournment lioth began to pile on runs, particularly Chapman, who was hatting with tine freedom and scored off all sorts of halls. A hundred appeared for 94 minutes’ play. A bad return by Shepherd saved Wilkinson from being run out. Chapitimi rendu?'! Ins 50 in 55 iniuutcs, juki tho two batsmen put on 100 in 71 minutes Wilkinson at 40 skied one just clear of Condliffe hut at 59 lie was clean bowled by Bcriinu. 172—3-59. Calthorpe opened quietly. When "6 Chapman was missed by M'Girr in the slips off Snedden, hut. in the next over Bernan howled him. His fine, free inn mgs included nine boundaries. 185 — .1—77. Lowry started scnilchily, but soon • warmed up. and once started scored rapidly. Tho second century appeared for 176 minutes’ nlav. Calthorpe was missed bv Collins in the slips when ,10, buttwo balls later be was clean bowled by M Girr. 212 5 14 After tea Lowry and Mac Lean added 15 and then Lowry was dropped by Garrard in tho slips. A similar stroke ended MacLenTs career, and Hartley joined • Lowry, was was hitting hard but not Inking risks Ho reached 56 in 53 minutes, but at 61 was smartly slumped. His bright inning''' included 11 fours. 2/2 / -hi. Hartley and Brand put, up an unexpected stand raid the third century appeared for 266 ’minutes’ play. Despite numerous change; thti score gradually mounted. M'Girr strained himself ;n fielding, end had te go olf. Scores; - NEW ZEALAND. First Innings. Collins, c and b Brand 104 Blunt, c Freeman, b Brand Snedden, c Titchmursh, b Brand .. ... 0 Lambert,' h Freeman .. 34 Shepherd, Ibw, b Caithoipe Garrard, c Mac Lean, b Calthorpe .... b Daere, c Titchmursh, h Calthorpe .. .. 4t> B-ernau, c Freeman, b Calthorpe .. •• 2 M'Girr, not out 40 Alcott, c Mac Lean, h Gibson lb Condliffe, Ibw, b Freeman J Extras 31 Total •• 375 Bowling Analysis.—Gibson, 1 for 89; Freeman, 2 for 80; Brand, 3 for 84; Calthorpe, 4 for 78; Hartley, none for 13. Brand bowled two no-balls. M.C.C. First Innings. Wilson, o Shepherd, b M'Girr 6 Titchmursh, b Bernau 13 Wilkinson, b Bernau 59 Chapman, h Bernnu • ■ 77 Calthorpe,. b M'Girr 14 Lowry, st Condliffe, b Garrard 61 MncLcan, c M'Girr, b Alcott 7 Har.tky, not out 43 Brand, not out 21 Extras 28 Total (for seven wickets) .. .. 329 A STKENUOUS GAME. NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS TIRE. FIELDING SLACKENS TOWARDS CLOSE OF PLAY. ;?bom Odb Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 6. Lancaster Park has rarely hold a bigger ericaet crowd Hum it did to-day, wnoh ttio attendance was estimated at from six to eight thousand. Tho weather was beautiful, aiid tho wicket was in first-class condition. Tiie close of the New' Zealand innings was marked by sound and stylish batting. M'Girr, wnose. defence was very sound and confident, scored Ins runs by beautiful lato cuts ami off drives, whilst ins on shots from short balls were finely executed. New Zealand’s good total put the Englishmen on their nest behaviour from tlio start, and they had to fight lor every run. The opening bowlers, M'Girr and Alcott, hud tho first two batsmen scratching, Titchmarsh especially being hard put to it. Ho gave a chance early to Shepherd at short log, but it was not taken. Dio Utugo mini redeemed himself later by taking Wilson in tho same position with a magnificent oiie-hando(l catch low down. Then ] lonian, who had replaced M'Girr and was bowling finely, skittled Titchmursh’s stumps with a very lino bull. Tho partnership between Chapman and Wilkinson was a line exhibition. Chapman was not so froo as ho was in the Canterbury match, but scored all round tho wicket with beautiful strokes, that were unerringly placed and always along tho ground. The end came from a fast ball from Bernau which kept low. It heat tho batsman, and howled him off his pads. He hud just previously given a catch in the slips. Wilkinson’s balling was very laboured m comparison, though his defence was very sound, and ho made many good scoring shots. When Lowry went in it looked as though tho Englishmen would not got near New 'Zealand’s total, hut, the ex-Christchurch hoy gave a. sparkling display, scoring faster than any other batsman on his side by beautiful strokes, chiefly on the leg side, the fast howlers having lost- their direction somewhat. After in’s departure the batting was as dull as ditchwater, during which the crowd became ironical. It was very solid, (hough, for they played out time and added 57 to the total. Hartley halted carefully, taking no risks, hut waiting for looso halls which he punished with good strokes. New Zealand's bowling was very itrood until Info in the day. Bernan was the best, and kept the batsmen quiet, sending down a few loose balls. M'Girr also bowled well until he tired. Alcott. never looked dangerous. and his deliveries lacked “ginger.” New Zealand’s holding was patchy. Much good work was done, hot much was slovenly. The display on the whole was not un to standard. Towards the close M'Girr injured his ankle while fielding a hall, and had to retire, Sandman fielding in his place. The New Zealand howlers were very worn and weary at the close of the play.