HUGE SCORE

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 8

HUGE SCORE

FIRST TEST MATCH AUSTRALIANS LOSE TWO FOR 416 WOODFULL UNBEATEN WITH 250 (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, March 24. The first test match between the Australian and New Zealand representatives commenced at Eden Park to-day under excellent conditions. Winning the toss, the visitors occupied the batting crease all day for the fine total of 416 for two wickets. A feature of the play was the excellent display given by Woodfull who went in first with Ponsford and was unbeaten when stumps were drawn with 250 to his credit Ponsford and Woodfull by solid batting gave their side an excellent start and 184 appeared on the board before a separation was made. Kippax failed to get going properly, but Schneider and Woodfull played out time. Woodfull gave a great and chanceless exhibition. Commencing rather slowly he was not seen at his best until after registering the first century. Afterwards he scored freely by masterly placed shots. Ponsford was a little more aggressive than Woodfull and as usual showed his liking for powerful on drives. Lowry had a trying time with his bowlers but he managed the attack well. Findlayson bowled with remarkable accuracy the first time he went to the crease, while the other trundlers all bowled steadily, although Merritt failed to get any nip off the pitch. Woodfull was the real thorn to the New Zealand attack. There was an attendance of about 13,000 and the spectators were treated to some very fine cricket. QUIET OPENING. Richardson had no hesitation in sending Woodfull and Ponsford to the wickets. Me- , Girr and Badcock w'ere the opening bowlers. Runs came slowly against steady bowling, ten appearing after 15 minutes’ play. Badcock was bowling for a well placed leg field. Neither batsmen was able to get the Englishman away. A succession of maiden overs was broken when Woodfull placed Badcock for a single. Ponsford then survived an appeal for Lb w. against the same bowler. The runs continued to come slowly tn singles, 20 going up after half an hour’s play. Badcock changed the leg theory and Merritt took over from McGirr. The scoring was brightened by both batsmen getting good boundary shots. Ponsford was first into the twenties by severely punishing a couple of short deliveries from Merritt. He was scoring more quickly than his partner and reached thirty with a lucky snick through slips off Merritt. Fifty was registered in 55 minutes, when Read took over from Badcock who had bowled very steadily. The batsmen were now well set. Woodfull reached 20 by nicely placed singles. Ponsford was using his feet well and was scoring freely facing Merritt, who was relieved by Findlayson with the total at 76. Merritt’s figures were none for 36. A period of quieter play followed. Ponsford w’ho was some time in the forties reached fifty with a nicely placed three. He had been at the wickets for 90 minutes. Woodfull by good placements with occasional boundaries immediately ran into the forties. Merritt came on again in place of Finlayson when the board read 98.

ONE HUNDRED UP. The century was hoisted after 95 minutes. Badcock then took over from Read. Woodfull brought 50 against his name just before the luncheon adjournment. Mills was given the last over, this making the sixth bowling change in an effort to break the partnership. Woodfull made his first bad stroke by lifting one dangerously near second slip, but the ball fell safely. The score was 121 (Ponsford 61, Woodfull 57). Finlayson and Badcock resumed the attack but both batsmen scored freely off the latter, who was relieved by Read after a couple of overs. Finlayson who had bowled well before lunch was applauded for sending down two maiden overs. Bright batting carried the score to 150 a quarter of an hour after the interval. Ponsford was first into the eighties, but Woodfull was following closely with 78. The pair were giving a good exhibition of running between the wickets, some smart singles being registered. Finlayson was bowling really well, the batsmen having to play him all the time. Once he beat Ponsford all the way, but the ball just went over the top of the wickets. PONSFORD OUT. Next over a misunderstanding between the batsmen saw Ponsford run right up to Woodfull’s end. Merritt fielded the ball quickly and attempted to return to Lowry. In running back Ponsford with his bacX turned stopped the ball and an easy chance was lost. However, Lowry caught Ponsford behind the wickets in the same over. It was a fine catch on the leg side 184—1 —B6. Ponsford was at the wickets for 2 hours 20 minutes. Finlayson was maintaining an excellent length and keeping Woodfull, who was now in the nineties, very quiet. Read was also bowling well and even the aggressive Kippax was kept on defence. Merritt relieved Read with the total at 197 and McGirr took over from Finlayson who had bowled 21 overs for 39 runs. Read had sent down 22 overs for 46 runs. Two hundred went up after two hours 35 minutes’ play. CENTURY TO WOODFULL. Badcock replaced Merritt who had bowled only one over. Woodfull scored a three and a four in succession, reaching his century after two hours forty minutes. He was warmly applauded for his effort. Kippax was in half an hour before reaching double figures. Read came on again in place of Badcock at 221. Woodfull continued to score with freedom, but once he hit the new bowler dangerously near Merritt at short square leg. LOWRY AGAIN. McGirr received the next wicket by disposing of Kjppax, Lowry taking his second catch behind the wickets. 230—2—16. Read was given a spell in favour of Merritt with the total at 244. Schneider did not take long to reach double figures, while Woodfull was still batting splendidly as he approached 140. Merritt was again taken off after bowling one over, Badcock relieving him. Two hundred and fifty went up in 3 hours 15 minutes Woodfull appeared well set and put 150 against his name by hitting Badcock twice to the boundary and scoring eleven'off the over. Merritt came back to the crease instead of McGirr, but Woodfull, opening out, was not troubled by bowling changes. At the afternoon tea adjournment the score was 282 for two wickets (Woodfull 160, Schneider 10). WOODFULL SPARKLES.

Merritt and Badcock bowled on resuming. Woodfull continued in merry style and sent 300 up just for over three and threequarter hours’ play. Finlayson then took over from Merritt. Attacking Badcock with the greatest confidence Woodfull drove the Englishman beautifully to the boundary twice in succession, running to 190. He quickly notched another ten to register second century without giving a chance. He had been at the wickets for four hours five minutes. Schneider took some time to reach the twenties and was barracked by the crowd, but this did not affect him in the least. The midget left-hander displayed plenty of confidence while he executed some fine drives. Dempster was given a trial with the ball at 342 instead of Finlayson. Woodfull again placed Badcock for a couple of boundaries and Schneider did likewise to Dempster. Read took over from Badcock and in his first over Foley dropped Schneider at first slip. FOUR HUNDRED UP. The partnership was still unbroken when 400 went up, after four hours forty minutes’ play. Woodfull was placing the ball beautifully approaching the 250 mark, while

Schneider neared the fifties with some splendid cuts and drives. The batsmen were still unbeaten when stumps were drawn, the board reading 416 for two wickets, Woodfull being 250 and Schneider 50. The detailed scores were:— AUSTRALIA. —First Innings.— W. H. Ponsford, c Lowry, b Finlayson 86 W. M. Woodfull, not out 250 A. F. Kippax, c Lowry, b McGirr .. 16 K. J. Schneider, not out 50 Extras •: 14 Total (for two wickets) .. .. 416 Bowling Analysis:—McGirr took one wicket for 48 runs; Finlayson one for 72; Badcock none for 95; Merritt none for 85; Read none for 80; Dempster none for 16; Mills none for 6.