HIGH PRAISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 5

HIGH PRAISE

BATTING OF WALLACE AND DONNELLY

“THE IRREPRESSIBLES” LEICESTER, May 15. With his 171 at Leicester, Wallace became the first batsman in England to reach 500 runs this season. He made theih just before that figure was recorded by J. Langridge, Sussex, and D. B. Carr, Oxford University. Wallace stands a good chance of becoming the second touring batsman to score 1000 runs before May is out. The only visitor who so far performed this feat is Bradman, who did so in 1930 and 1938. The English Sunday newspapers have high praise for the stand by Wallace and Donnelly. “ New Zealand’s batsmen should be given the title of ‘ the irrepressibles,’ judging by their display at Leicester,” says the Sunday Express. “ Look Out, England! ” Jack Hobbs, writing in the same paper, said: “Look out. England! These New Zealanders may be better than we thought. That’s my impression after watching them play on ‘my’ wicket at the Oval. They are some way yet from being a great team, but they will learn, and the match against Surrey played a great part in their education.” Hobbs adds that the New Zealanders have something to learn in the art of running between the wickets, and he is inclined to think the batsmen are in too much of a hurry. “The desire to get on with the game is a good fault, and the effort to play bright cricket is most commendable, but it is not Saturday afternoon cricket they are playing now.” He also warned them against fielding too close in against the bat. The Sunday Times describes New Zealand’s recovery against Leicester as “ brilliant,” and the Sunday Chronicle refers to the “lordly command ” taken of the bowling by Wallace and Donnelly, and the News of the World declared: “ With their sunny outlook towards the game and flashing competent bats, these New Zealanders are delightful cricket entertainers.”

High Esteem As well as winning the high regard of cricket writers, the New Zealanders have won, what probably is more important. the high esteem of cricket players. An excellent impression was made on the last day at the Oval, when Hadlee, instead of ordering a heavy roller, which would have helped to crumble still further the well-worn wicket, was content with a light roller. Nobody would have criticised him for using a heavy roller, which would have added to the difficulties of the Surrey batsmen. Decisions of this kind soon “float” in cricket circles,, and are certainly to the New Zealanders’ credit. A total of £969 was taken at Leicester on the first day. The gross takings at the Oval are not yet available.