THE SECOND TEST

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1924, Page 5

THE SECOND TEST

N.S.W. BATTING. SEVEN WICKETS FOR 257. A SENSATIONAL OPENING. RAIN-SOAKED WICKET. Seven wickets for 257 runs was the score of ths New South Wales team at the end of the first day’s play in the second test against New Zealand, at Wellington, yesterday. Heavy rain had soaked the wicket, and tha outfield was very slow, while keen fielding by the New Zealanders kept runs down.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington; Last Night.

The weather was fine for the second test between New South Wales and New Zealand at the Basin Reserve today, but recent heavy rain had thoroughly soaked the wioket and outfield which was very slow. In consequence of the state of the wicket play was not commenced till 2 p.m. Smith won the toss from Macartney and put the Australians in to bat on a tricky wicket. Andrews and W. Bardsley were the opening batsmen, the latter taking first strike to McGirr. The opening was sensational. Bardsley hit a single off MoGirr and gave Andrews the bowling. With his fourth ball McGirr clean bowled Andrews, who played right over it—l1 —3. Macartney followed, and received an ovation from the crowd. He immediately began to hit, but could not get through the field. He scored a couple, but met disaster when facing Mcßeth. Mcßeth sent down a well-pitched up ball and the batsman played forward to it, and the leather edged off his bat into Blamires’ hands at slip—2—I—l 6. Kippax filled the vacancy and square cut Mcßeth nicely for two. Both bowlers were keeping good lengths and runs came slowly. Bardsley sent McBeth away for two and brought *2O up for 30 minutes’ play. Dacre elicited some applause for fine fielding. CHANCES MISSED.

Runs were coming in singles, and off McGirr’s first delivery of his next over an appeal for l.b.w. against Kippax was not successful. Kippax skied a ball into the out-field, but both Dacre and Kortlang were unable to get to it. Kippax drove Mcßeth well, but the outfield was heavy. McGirr bowled the first maiden of the day against Bardsley. Kippax ’gave Kortlang a difficult chance off Mcßeth, but the fieldsman failed to get there. Bardsley drove McBeth for one and brought his total to 20 and the score to 30.

McGirr was beating Bardsley. Bardsley gave the easiest of chances to Smith at* mid-off, but the latter muffed it, and Bardsley showed his appreciation of the let-off by getting Mcßeth twice away for two. At 40 Blamires took the ball and Kippax drove his third one for three. In Blamires’ second over, Kippax hit his second ball to leg for a beautiful six, but blocked the remainder of the over.

The fielding of the home team was fair, but Dacre was brilliant and his throwing-in was especially good. At 3 p.m. the score was 60. Both batsmen played more freely. Smith relieved McBeth at 70 and four runs were scored off hi© first over. At 75 McGirr replaced Blamires and Kippax chopped his second delivery on to the wicket—25 —3 —76.

Hendry had the misfortune to put his leg before one of MoGirr’s deliveries. The batsmen started to run for a bye, but the appeal was successful, and at 3.30 the score wad 88 for four wickets. McGirr at this stage had taken three wickets for 19 and had sent down ©even overs. THE BATTING IMPROVES.

Raymond Bardeley joined his brother. W. Bardsley beautifully square cut McGirr to the* pickets. and a single to the barm* batsman brought 90 up. Some quiet play followed, but a good drive by ‘Raymond Bardsley brought 100 up after 90 minutes’ play. At 3.45 Mcßeth went to in .place of McGirr and Warren Bardsley nicely glided him to leg for. throe. Hiddleston went on in Smith’s place at the other end, but his bowling was erratic, At the tea adjournment the score was 128 for four wickets, Warren Bardsley 94 and R. Bardsley Mcßeth took up the attack after tea, and his first ball W. Bardsley sent for two. Smith, at point, let several go by. At 4.25 p.m. Henderson replaced Hiddleston and sent the first three bulls well down on the off, but W. Bardsley would not be tempted. Henderson was effective in keeping the batsmen quiet, but some good singles were run. Warren Bardsley brought his score up to 90 by means of a few singles, and got Henderson away for a pretty four through the slips. Mcßeth, at the other end, was putting plenty of work on the ball and R. Bardsley was stepping out to smother the spin. Wanting only seven for his century, Warren Bardsley went out in a similar manner to Kippax. He touched a ball from Mcßeth and the spin carried it on to the wicket—93—6—156. The retiring batsman had played a sound innings and had been at the wickets for 140 minutes. Punch followed, only to lose his partner. who was clean bowled by Hiddleston, who came on in Henderson’s place —-28—6—158.

GOOD BOWLING. From 128 for four wickets to 158 for g/x was good going and the New Zealand supporters were becoming pleased with themselves. Hiddleston had now taken one for 8 and Mcßeth two for 66. At 4.50 p.m. McGirr relieved McBeth. Punch had a narrow escape from being run out, but the throw-in hit him as he ran back. Ratcliffe skied McGirr to the out-field, but the bowler, running back, just failed to get there. The wicket was now drying, but the out J field was still soft, and a hit which would have in ordinary circumstances gone for four yielded only two. The fielding was very keen, but the ground work was still patchy. Punch was batting confidently and executed his favourite stroke. Ratcliffe, who had been batting quietly, livened matters up with a nice square cut for four and brought his total up to ten. McGirr relieved Mcßeth and Punch put him away nicely for two. following it up by a null to leg for a brace. McGirr nearly bowled him with a yorker, but the next

delivery went through the elips for a couple, bringing up 180. Smith went on himself against Ratcliff and the over yielded a single to each batsman. Ratcliffe drove McGirr nicely for three and followed it up with a beautiful late cut for four, bringing the total to 190. McGirr was bumping, but both batsmen played him confidently. Ratcliffe again hooked McGirr to the boundary. 12 runs being scored off that over. Two hundred went up for 200 minutes’ play- Ratcliffe, who had played sparkling cricket, fell to one of Smith’s slows, being clean bowled—--25—7—200.

BATSMEN SCORE FREELY. Oldfield filled the vacancy and blocked the rest of Smith’s over. Punch was batting very attractively and twice in succession sent McGirr to the boundary, bringing up 210. Smith was bowling a good length and sent down a maiden to Ratcliffe. Mcßeth came on in place of McGirr. Hiddleston went on with a new ball and replaced Smith, but Punch smacked him for a boundary to leg. The batsmen relished Hiddleston’s short stuff and nine runs came off the ever. The batsmen continued to score at a fast rate, although they did not take any risks. Punch, in particular, was giving a forceful display, made up of good, clean strokes, while Oldfield, plaving steadier, delighted the crowd with shots behind the wicket. Two hundred and fifty went up after 230 minutes’ play, and Punch reached 40 with a single. The light was failing and both batsmen were content to play out time. Details of the play are: NEW SOUTH WALES I First Innings. W. Bardsley, b Mcßeth 93 T. J. E. Andrews, b McGirr 1 C. G. Macartney, e Blamires, b McBeth . ...‘. 2 A. Kippax, b McGirr 25 H, L. Hendry, lbw. b McGirr 2 R. Bardsley, b Hiddleston 28 A Punch, not out 42 A. Ratcliffe, b Smith 25 W. A. Oldfield, not out I’s Extras 23

Total (for 7 wickets) 257 Bowling analysis.—McGirr took three wickets for 66 runs; Mcßeth, two for 79; Bla'mires, none for 16; Smith, one for 28; Hiddleston, one for 27; Henderson, gone for .17