DRAWN GAME

Southland Times, Issue 20448, 28 March 1928, Page 6

DRAWN GAME

FIRST CRICKET TEST RAIN FLOODS WICKET GATE TAKINGS A RECORD (Per United Press Association.) \ Auckland, March 27. The first cricket test between Australia and New Zealand was concluded at Eden Park to-day and resulted in a draw. 'Australia declared its innings closed with 573 on the board for the loss of five wickets and on Monday, New Zealand lost six wickets for 207. Continuing its innings yesterday, New Zealand carried its score to 288. Under the conditions prevailing, Foley played a fine innings and was unbeaten for half a century. Blackie and McNamee obtained great assistance from the wicket, the batsmen having a trying time against them and Dempster played another good innings, while Lowry defied the attack for over an hour. He was barracked by the spectators on the embankment, who failed to realize the position of the game. When play was resumed to-day a strong southerly wind was blowing and rain threatened. The weather broke soon after the commencement, necessitating an adjournment. At first only a slight drizzle fell, but just before mid-day a heavy downpour was experienced for about an hour. The wicket was flooded and pools of water lay all over the outfield. After the weather cleared, the sun shone brightly, and although the ground was drying quickly, the wicket was still in a bad state when play was resumed. The two captains inspected the wicket at 2.30 and another commencement was made at 2.45. In the morning Grimmett, Morton, Blackie and McNamee all had turns at the bowling crease, but both McGirr and Foley batted steadily until play ceased, the former being 14 and the latter 22. The had been carried to 240. Resuming in the afternoon, Blackie and McNamee took up the attack. Both trundlers were receiving assistance from the wicket, the batsmen experiencing a difficult time in keeping them out. McGirr lost his W’icket by hitting McNamee high towards the leg boundary, where Schneider took the catch, 254—7—19. Finlayson was dropped by Morton off Blackie, but the bowler clean bowled the batsman in the same over 256 —B—o.8—0. Merritt was soon bowled by Blackie. Foley, playing very solidly, reached the forties, and with Read, carried on to his half-century. Read was then caught off Blackie, the innings closing for 288. Mills and Dempster opened the second innings to Morton and McNamee. The bowlers were picking up, especially the latter, who beat Mills with a beauty when the score was 10. Grimmett replaced Blackie at 15. Runs came very slowly as the wicket still favoured the bowlers. When Dempster’s score was 16, Schneider made a magnificent effort to dismiss the batsman with a right handed catch. The fieldsman jumped for the ball and almost held it. Lowry was barracked by some of the crowd who failed to realise the position for not hitting out but the New Zealand skipper did not worry. Kippax and Schneider were given a bowl in an effort to break the defence but the pair were still together when stumps were drawn at 5.15 p.m., Dempster having 33 not out to his credit. The scores were:—

AUSTRALIA. —First Innings.— Five wickets (declared) 573 NEW ZEALAND. —First Innings.— C. S. Dempster, b Grimmett 44 J. E. Mills, b Grimmett 50 F. T. Badcock, b Grimmett 0 J. M. Hamilton, b McNamee 40 T. C. Lowry, c Oldfield, b McNamee 18 N. Gallichan, 1.b.w., b McNamee .... 11 H. Foley, not out 50 H. M. McGirr, c Schneider, b McNamee 19 C. G. Finlayson, b Blackie 0 W. G. Merritt, b Blackie 6 R. J. Read, c Jackson, b Blackie .. 9 Extras .. • • • 33 Total 288 Bowling Analysis.—McNamee took four wickets for 36 runs; Grimmett three for 28; Blackie three for 98; Morton none for 41. —Second Innings.— C. S. Dempster, ftot out 33 J. E. Mills, b McNamee .. .. ... .. 5 T. C. Lowry, not out 9 Extras .. .. 6 Total, for one wicket 53 Bowling Analysis.—McNamee took one wicket for 5 runs’; Grimmett none for 15; Morton none for nine; Kippax none for six; Schneider none for 12. The takings for the Test match were over £lOOO, a record for New Zealand. PREVIOUS GAMES. The following are the results of games played previously between Australia and New Zealand:— 1896.—Australia won by five wickets. 1905.—Australia 533, New Zealand 138 and 112 for seven. Drawn. Australia won by innings and 358 runs. 1910.—Australia won by nine wickets. Australia won by 162 runs. 1914.—Australia won by seven wickets. Australia won by 113 runs. 1921. —Australia 273 and 147 for four (dec.) New Zealand 204 and 106 for four. Drawn. Australia won by innings and 227 runs. THE SECOND TEST. NEW ZEALAND TEAM. Auckland, March 27. The New Zealand team for the second test match will be selected from Mills, Dempster, Blunt, Lowry, Finlayson, Foley, Hamilton, McGirr, Badcock, Dickinson. James, Merritt.