NEW ZEALAND LEADS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13161, 20 January 1936, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND LEADS.

SECOND TEST V. M.C.C. VISITORS ALL, OUT FOR 15 G. Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, Fast Xight. Confident batting by A. \Y. Roberts, of Canterbury, and J. A. R. Blandford, of Wellington, in a fighting stand on a wicket made easy by overnight rain, followed by excellent bowling by Roberts, E. D. Blundell, of Wellington, and I. B. Cromb, of Canterbury, when the pitch had beVcome alive as it dried, enabled New Zealand to secure a rather unexpected but thoroughly deserved lead over the touring English team in the second day of play in the second test in Wellington on Saturday. Xew Zealand, after losing seven wickets for 127 on the first day, recovered creditably, making 242, Roberts and Blandford putting on 104 for the eighth wicket. Roberts made 7-5 not out and Blandford 40. In an exciting afternoon the Englishmen Fell for 1-56, a fine display of strong driving and pulling being given by X*. S. Mitchell-Innes, who made 57, while J. M. Sims and S. C. Griffith batted courageously in scoring 30 and 24 not out. The Xew Zealand bowlers creditably exploited all the help given -them by the wicket, while the catching in marked contrast to the first game, was practically without fault. J. R. Lamason, of Wellington, at forward short leg, had a field day, taking four catches, and capital work was done by IvT. Wallace, of -Auckland. Roberts and Blundell, the mediumpaced bowlers, maintained good control, and Cromb varied his pace and flight shrewdly, being not afraid to give away some runs to get batsmen out. Roberts took three for 33, Blundell two for 40 and Cromb four for 52, Crumb's captaincy was marked by thoughtful concentration. .He made frequent bowling changes and Lept a close watch on the field. Upward of 10,000 spectators relished the successes of the home players, who, rising to premising opportunity with commendable resolution, took the honours of the day, finishing with 11 runs on the board without loss in the second innings. Xew Zealand’s bowling hero was "Roberts. Though rather tired after his long innings, he bowled with good Jength and some nip from the north end with the wind. With the new ball he sent down * seven overs for nine runs and was then rested. Brought on again when the score was 96, he took three wickets for 24 runs in nine and a half overs, being caught in close on the leg side and one clean bowled. Cromb’s captaincy was creditable, not so much because it happened to be successful. but because it was thoughtful. He placed the held well and changed his bowling with judgment generally. V There was a most pleasing smartness about most of the fielding, and, in contrast to the first match, certainty in the catching. Lamason, at forward point leg, was given great opportunities and made the most of them. Scores. XEW ZEALAXD. First innings 242 Second Innings. Kerr, not out 3 X>. A. If. Moloney, not .out 6 Extras (byes -, no-balls 1) ... 2 Total for no wickets 11 Bowling. O. M. If. W. H. D. Read 3 O 9 0 .A. D. Baxter 22 0 (J J. M. Sims 1 1 O 0 M.C.C’.—First Innings. Parks, run out 13 Barber, c Lamason, b Blundell 3 Hardstaff. c Lamason. b Blundell O Mitchell-Innes, c Lamason, b Roberts 57 Langridge, b Cromb 2 Human, c Wallace, b Cromb ... 2 Lyttelton, c El rues, b Cromb ... 4 Sims, c Lamason, b Roberts ... 30 Griffith, not out 24 Read, b Cromb 13 Baxter, b Roberts 0 Extras 'byes 1, leg-byes 7) 8 Total 156 Bowling. O. M. R. W. F. B. ( romb 14 2 52 2 A. W. Roberts 16.5 1 33 3 E D. Blundell 13 4 40 2 C*. Elmes 4 2 10 0 H. G. Vigian 7 O 13 0 H. G. Vi. ian 7 0 13 (5 Fall of wickeds: One lor 12, two .for 12, three* for 49, four for 60, five for *O6. six for 77, seven for 105, •eight for 12<>, nine for 151, ten for 156.