FINE FIELDING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 9

FINE FIELDING

Fortune Favours Middlesex

NEW ZEALANDERS MISS VICTORY

THE New Zealand eleven played some sparkling cricket * against Middlesex, and delighted a large crowd of spectetorS’ who included King George and Sir James Parr. _ Midoff," in a special description of the match, written for IHE SUN, describes the ebb and flow of fortune. He says that New Zealand's batting and fielding were good, but disapproves of excessive use of the slow bowler.

By “ MidofS.”

LONDON, May 25. T HE New Zealanders made a good showing against a strong Middlesex side. There was some good batting, but the bowling was weak. The fielding was fine, and the English crowd enjoyed the visitors’ bright cricket. King George was an interested spectator; also Sir James Parr. Lowry won the toss from Haig on a good wicket, and the opening pair, Blunt and Mills, both started a good partnership, and soon had 50 runs on the board in less than an hour’s play. At the end of the morning play we had 90 runs on without loss. After lunch the weather became bad, and the wicket suited the bowler. Soon we had lost our opening pair. The wicket was playing tricks, and every now and again Durston would go clean over our heads, but we made the best of things on a bad wicket. Blunt and Mills played good steady cricket for 40 and 42 respectively. LOWRY TO THE RESCUE With one down for 94, and four for 97 we looked to he in a bad way. With Page and Dacre on the hank, and Dempster not doing well, it was Lowry who came in and put a good 34 before he departed. It was a case of get out quick and get a few runs. Thanks to Merritt and Henderson, who carried our total from 158 to 227, it was a good recovery on a bad wicket, and our last wicket fell with the total 234. Merritt played well, getting 37 not out. With half an hour for play the weather was cold. At the close of the day Middlesex had lost one for 8. Next day, to our disappointment, the wicket became easy, and It looked as if we were in for some leatherhunting, but the chances that were offering were all snapped up, and soon we had five good wickets down for 185, including Hendren and Hearne. TOO MUCH SLOW-BOWLING Our fielding was good, and everyone was keen, which assisted the bowlers, but Lowry used his slow bowlers too much, instead of keeping the game tight. With Gray and Haig together, runs came at a good pace, and soon our

total was passed —and only six wickets down. Not downhearted, our bowlers trundled on, and after some good catching we were able to dismiss a good side for 290 on a good wicket. Our second innings opened In a bad way. Blunt and Mills being out for 45. Dempster did not improve matters, and three were out for 57. It was left to Page and Dacre to eeful batting these two carried the carry on the good work, and by forful batting these two carried the score to 148, when Dacre was bowled by Hearne after a good 53. Lowry did not last long, and James came to light with a beautiful 44. Page got to 5 before being caught. This batsman had played a good knock, and had increased our total to 270. With three wickets to fall, McGirr came to the rescue with a good 72. He gave the bowling the long handle, and by good drives soon ran his total to 50. Merritt did not stay long, and It was left to McGirr to carry on and get a few more runs for the side, but in going for a big hit he was clean-bowled by Tanner —a welldeserved 72. Cunningham and Henderson carried on till Henderson was bowled, and we were all out for the good total of 330. WENT FOR OUR BOWLING With 280 to win, our rivals went for our bowling, and soon had 50 on before half an hour had gone, but Hendren went cheaply, and we still appeared to have a chance; but our slow bowlers were expensive. Three wickets were down for 11S, and Jack Hearne and Stevens were going strong, and it looked bad for us, but a good catch by Cunningham dismissed Stevens for 89. Hearne was the stumbling-block. With slow batting carried on we saw our score topped, and there were still three wickets to fall. It was a good game, and with even fortunes regarding the wicket we might have snatched a good win against a very good team. It was very pleasing to see our fielding; no dropped catches, and the returns to the wickets good.