CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 March 1927, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 21. THE TEST. The New Zealand team made a wonderful recovery m the test match. Only stubborn stonewalling on the part of the visitors made a drawn game of it. The batting of the New Zealanders to-day was particularly bright. All the batsmen went to the wickets full of confidence, knowing that a good margin of runs was already on the slate Oliver ! and Alloo got going nicely, meeting all ; the bowling without difficulty. ; The Otago man was caught at the wickets. He gavo a much improved display on that shown on Friday and Monday. Oliver played in his best form, and threw bin wicket away when lie locked certain to reach tho century.. Cunningham stonewalled a bit, but hit hard at loose ones. Read was busy all the time lie was at tho wicket. A lot of people thought Da ere should declare at lunch time with 536 for' nino wickets, but the New Zealand skipper no doubt was anxious not to risk defeat oil the eve of the departure of tho side for tho Old Country. After iuneli Gallichan and Merritt played sparkling cricket and put on the runs at a rapid rate. Neither was rash, but they batted like veterans. The success of both colts was immensely pleasing. They were going strong when the innings was declared. Success came New Zcalandi's way early with the dismissal of ITendry, then Runsford and Onyons played nice free cricket and certainly batted as though they were making a genuine attempt to bit off the inns. AYheu this pair were back in the pavilion, however, the match resolved itself into a contest between tho bowlers and stonewalling batsmen. To give some idea what jt was life, it may be mentioned that Johnston batted an hour and thirvt-four minutes for nineteen runs. The .crowd barracked the Melbourne men' freely, but the visitors took it all good-naturedly. "Warwick Armstrong, who stonewalled for stone time, was accorded a cheer for each of Ills six singles, and lie- lifted his cap

in response to the cheers from tho bank. The sum of £l6O was taken at the gate to-day, making the gross total for the match £836.