TEST MATCH DRAWN.

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

TEST MATCH DRAWN.

New Zealand’s Great Score. MELBOURNE STONEWALLING.

Pt Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. Tho fine recovery made by New Zealand on Monday, when they made 42d for five wickets, was continued today, and they eventually topped the GOO mark, a very fine hatting performance considering the calibre of the opposition. To leave the visitois oc4 to get to win, after having a first innings deficit of 219, was a very gratifying performance, and it should give New Zealand added confidence for them English tour. The weather was fine, but a cold westerly wind blew across the ground all day. The wicket bad worn remarkahlv well, and played true to tho end. The rain of the previous night appeared to have improved it. It was expected that New Zealand would declare at the lunch adjournment, when they were 536 lor r.ine wickets, and it would have been a. popular move, as it would nave saved tho between innings adjournment, anu given a clear afternoon for the visiters to get the runs, or get out. However, it was decided to give Merritt and Galliehan another half hour's betting, and this made a draw fairly safe. As things turned out, a declaration at tho luncheon adjournment would have given New Zealand an extra threcqiAgrters of an hour to got the three remaining wickets. As it was, the visitors had little or no chance ot getting the runs, and they played for a draw, with tho iesult that the last two hours’ play was very dull. Oliver added 32 to his previous day’s score, and batted ■•onfidcntly and well. Alloo played some i.iee scoring shots, end showed good defence. Roth Read and Cunningham played the bowling with ease, but the position of the game justified their forcing the pace, and they fell in consequence. Galliclian also played the bowling confidently. The forcing rolo suited Merritt even better titan Galliehan, and he quite dispelled the impression made by his' previous efforts. • Apart from Ebcling, the bowling of the visitors did not trouble the batsmen. Tho express bowler, however, always had the batsmen working hard, though slight lameness seemed to havo reduced his pace somewhat. T. Armstrong’s absence from the crease was owing to illness, and this explains why he was not bowled earlier on tho previous day. Melbourne were faced with a practically impossible task when they went in at 2.40 with 384 to get in about three hours. Notwithstanding Hendry’s early dismissal, which made their task even more hopeless, Hansford and Onvuns showed no signs of playing for a draw, and they both played most attractive cricket, putting on runs at a fair rate, and by high-class strokes [ all round the wicket. After their d°- ! parlure, however, Sandford and T. Armstrong went quickly, and when Warwick Armstrong partnered Johnstone they proceeded to “dig in,” for there was still more than an hour and a hah to go. The Melbourne skipper | gr.t five singles in 37 minutes, but was then skittled. Wood and Johnstone stonowalled for 52 minutes, and when the former was l.b.w. a draw had been secured. Johnstone’s very solid defence was largelv responsible for saving i the game for his side. For nearly an lirur at the end he never scored a run. Scores:

NEW ZEALAND. First Innings 190 Second Tunings. Blunt, c AY. Armstrong, b Hendry IS? Mills, Ibw, b Ebcling " ’ 5 Pago, Ibw, b AY. Armstrong ... 89 Janies, b AYood 49 Oliver, st. Rogerson, b AY. Armstrong 62 Daere, c Onyons, b labeling ... 29 Alloo, c Rogerson, b Eboiing ... 22 Cunningham, c Ransford, b AY. Armstrong 16 Read, c Onyons, b AA r ood ... ... 22 Gallichan, not out 39 Merr’tt. not out 37 Extras 45 Total for 9 wkts. (declared) 602 Bowling analysis.—Eluding 46 runs, 3 wickets; Ransford -11 runs, 0 wickets; AA r ood 126 runs. 2 wickets; Johnstone 34 runs, 0 wickets: Rogerson 30 runs, 0 wickets; AY. AA r . Armstrong 131 runs, 3 wickets; Hendry 40 runs, 1 wicket; T. Armstrong 9 runs, 0 wickets. MELBOURNE. First Innings 409 Second Innings. Hendry, Ibw, b Cunningham ... 4 Onyons, c and b Read 43 Ransford, c Merritt, b Read ... 42 Sandford. st. James, b Blunt ... 2 T. Armstrong, Ibw, b Blunt ... 0 Johnstone, not out 19 AY. AY. Armstrong, b Alloo ... 6 AA r ood, Ibw, b Mcliitt 25 Rogerson, not out 0 Extras 7 Total for 7 wickets 148 Bowling analysis.—Read 43 runs, 2 wi.ckets; Cunningham 21 runs, 1 wicket; Merritt 43 runs, 1 wicket; Blunt 29 runs, 2 wickets; Alloo 2 runs, 1 wicket; Daerc 0 runs, 0 wickets; Gallichan 0 runs, 0 wickets.