HURRICANE SCORING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19450, 27 March 1933, Page 5

HURRICANE SCORING

140 RUNS IN 75 MINUTES BIG SCORE IN FIRST TEST By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH. March 25. The test cricket match was continued to-day in cool weather with an easterly breeze and a dull sky. The attendance to-day w T as 13,000, and the takings £IO4O. The total gate for both days is £1690. The remaining English batsmen gave the w'eak New Zealand bowling a merciless trouncing, scoring 142 runs in 66 minutes before declaring with eight wickets down, and the total at 560. It was a hopeless total for New Zealand, but Kerr and Weir made a useful stay, adding 94 runs for the third wicket. At stumps, the home side had the respectable score of 153 for three wickets. Hammond Soon Goes. Hammond 223 and Brown 12 resumed England's innings to the bowling of Badcock and Smith. Hammond’s innings was soon over. In Badcock’s second over he sent down a ball of perfect length which beat the batsman and took the bails. Considering that his bowling hand was badly swollen from an injury yesterday, it was a good performance on his part to bowl Hammond. Hurricane Hitting. Voce joined Brown, and the two big fellows made merry with the bowling. Voce, gave a chance at 18 in the deep field off Badcock, but Whitelaw dropped the ball. The batsmen were hitting at everything, and soon reach-

ed and passed 500. Page took a turn with the ball, and as frequently happens he broke the partnership. Brown lifted his first delivery to the, on, and Weir made no mistake with the catch. Tate joined Voce, and kept up the scoring rate. Voce at length lifted a ball from Page to long-off, where Dempster held a catch. At this stage Jardine declared the innings closed. New Zealand Open. Whitelaw and Dempster opened New Zealand's innings against the bowling of Voce and Tate. The luncheon adjournment was taken when seven runs had been scored. After lunch, Allen, the fast bowler, came on instead of Voce. Whitelaw handled the bowling rather better than Dempster. The field was placed for off theory to both bowlers, but Allen had a deep fine leg, a short leg, and a forward short leg. Dempster was out off the second ball of Allen’s fifth over, when he hooked the ball into Wyatt’s hands at forward short leg. The score was now 25, of which Dempster had made 8.

Weir partnered Whitelaw, and Voce took over the ball from Allen, while Brown, a slow medium bowler, relieved Tate. The first 30 runs had been made in 45 minutes—painfully slow cricket —but the bowling was very difficult. Weir did not get the pace of the wicket for a few overs, but survived his troubles and then batted steadily. Verity, a tall left-hand slow bowler, relieved Brown with the score at 44. Weir had a narrow escape when he made an uppish stroke just out of reach of Jardine at point. At 54 Tate replaced Voce. Whitelaw was out when he made a bad stroke in attempting to cover drive off Verity, and was caught easily by Brown at extra cover. Whitelaw had taken 75 minutes to get his runs. 59-2-30. Weir’s total was 17 when Kenjoined him. Kerr, usually a streaky and venturesome beginner, kept his wicket up through two maiden overs from Tate, who was swinging the ball in with the east wind. Kerr scored two runs in 30 minutes. When Allen relieved Tate. Kerr late cut his first ball to the pickets—a good stroke. At the adjournment the total was 85—Weir 33. Kerr 8. Allen and Brown bowled on resuming. The score rose to 100 after 136 minutes play. Kerr had by this time got the pace of the turf, and was accustomed to the dull light, and ne timed his strokes well. Practically every English bowler was tried, but the batsmen played all of them confidently. At five o’clock Weir appealed more than once against the light, but the appeals were disallowed. Eventually he lost his wicket in feeling for an off ball from Voce, and Hammond took a catch at second slip. With Weir out, the umpires agreed that the light was too bad, and stumps were drawn 153-3-66.

NOTES ON PLAY. With 420 runs for five wickets, the Englishmen resumed batting, with Hammond (225) and Brown (12). Again there was a sentational start when, after two overs, Hammond went for a big hit off Badcock, missed, and was clean-bowled. He added only two to his overnight score. His 227 was made in 305 minutes, and was one of the greatest innings seen at Lancaster Park. He gave a perfect exhibition of complete stroke mastery, allied with great power. Scores Adjusted. Last night the total was listed at 418, and Hammond 233, but the board was altered first thing this morning. Voce joined Brown, and the pair started to look for runs. Voce hitting both bowlers to the boundary, and running into douljle figures in quick time.

Cavanagh fielded In place of Vivian, who strained his knee yesterday. Badcock carried on, it is believed, against the doctor's orders, although his hand is still injured. Runs came at the rate of one a minute, as Brown and Voce drove forcefully. Voce had a “life” when he went for a six off Badcock, Whitelaw dropping him within a few yards of the long-on boundary. At 450 Freeman came on, but his length was poor, and both men placed him easily to leg. Voce was hitting hard. Smith stopped one straight drive gallantly, but the next went to the fence. Almost every ball was scored off Newman. The batsmen played Freeman, but he was little more effective. Hard Hitting. After 60 runs had been added in 35 minutes, Badcock replaced Smith. In the Otago bowler’s second over, Voce tipped one perilously near the slips. The next ball, which he drove high to the off boundary, saw the 500 mark reached in 351 minutes. The partnership added 78 in 35 minutes. A late cut for a pair off Newman gave Brown his 50, in which he showed some pretty shots, besides hard driving. He turned Badcock beautifully to fine leg for four. He mishit the same bowler at 54, but Cavanagh fielding well out on the off, missed an apparently simple catch. In the next over he sent Newman to the boundary with a great straight drive, cut him for a pair, and finished the over with three more boundaries off great drives, making 18 off the over. Voce then squarecut Badcock for a great four.

Two Wickets for Page. Page was given a clap when he went on at the north end, and put two men on the boundary. Brown fell into the trap off Page’s first ball; it was a short one. Brown pulled it hard, and high, and Weir took a great catch on the boundary at long-on. Brown’s was a great exhibition of hard hitting. 532-7-74. Brown’s runs were made in 90 minutes. Tate joined Voce and opened with a single. Voce hit the first six of the match with a magnificent on drive, off Page, which scattered the embankment crowd. Then Voce was caught by Dempster off Page. England declared with eight wickets down for 560. New Zealand Innings. New Zealand opened at 12.52, Dempster and Whitelaw facing Tate and Voce. At lunch the score was none for six. In his first over before lunch. Voce opened with four slips. He took a 20yard run, and developed great pace, but Whitelaw tipped his first delivery neatly to fine leg for three. Voce then brought two men over to the leg side behind the wicket, having four men within a radius of 20 yards of the bat, and bowled hard to the leg sid». Dempster lashed at him without connecting for the rest of the over, causm , the leg cordon some exciting minutes. After lunch Dempster and WhitelaW batted steadily, Whitelaw being first to reach double figures. He showed confidence but Dempster was unsettles against Allen, who pitched his deliveries on the short side. One ball rose head high. Dempster then mishit an easy catch to Wyatt. 25-1-8. Weir was the next batsman in. The bowling was too accurate for liberties. At 31, Brown replaced Tate and bowlec, leg spinners. One was sent for three by Whitelaw. Voce replaced Allen and had two men close in on the leg side, as well as fine leg. The first ball of Voce’s second over went right over Weir’s head. Whitelaw and Weir shaped well, but runs were hard to get. Whitelaw became too risky and hit out at Verity, and was caught by Brown. 2-59-30.

Kerr was next and play was very slow for half an hour, during which only eight runs were scored. Verity and Tate each bowled four maidens in succession. A four to Weir off Verity was cheered ironically. Allen came on again and Kerr hit him through the slips for a beautiful four, bringing 80 up. Brown replaced Verity. Allen was whipping them in hard, his deliveries often bumping high. Weir had one narrow escape. At the tea adjournment New Zealand had lost 2 wickets for 85. After tea, Weir, who was facing Allen, got a hard knock on the leg. Two balls

later he ran a single and got four off an overthrow. Kerr delightfully cut Brown for four and then Weir had a life off Allen, Verity, at fine leg, missing him. Weir was not 40. Two more put the 100 up in 134 minutes. Weir became aggressive and drove Brown to the boundary. Kerr, who was restrained, missed three bumpers from Allen in succession. Verity then replaced Brown, who had only one scored off his over. Kerr reached 20 with a four off Allen. The batting was now very bright, despite the poor ligh: The score reached 130 in 121 minutes. Both batsmen were repeatedly cheered for their dashing shots and were punishing the bowlers. The scores were:— ENGLAND. First Innings: H. Sutcliffe, c James, b Badcock 0 E. Paynter, b Smith 0 W. R. Hammond, b Badcock .. .. 227 R. E. S. Wyatt, run out 20 D. R. Jardine, c James, b Badcock 45 L. E. G. Ames, b Vivian 103 F. R. Brown, c Weir, b Page .. 74 W. Voce, c Dempster, b Page .... 66 M. W. Tate, not out 10 Extras 15 Total for 8 wickets (declared) .. 560 Bowling. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts.

Fall of wickets—One for 0, two for 4, three for 46, four for 133, five for 375, six for 424, seven for 532, eight for 560. NEW ZEALAND. First Innings. Dempster, c Wyatt, b Allen .... 8 Whitelaw, c Brown, b Verity .... 30 Weir, c Hammond, b Voce 66 Kerr, not out 42 Extras 7 Total for three wickets .. .. 153 Bowling.—Voce, one for 15; Allen, one for 38; Verity, one for 42; Tate, none for 26; Brown, none for 25.

DETERMINED BATTING. NEW ZEALAND’S UP-HILL FIGHT. As was anticipated, Lancaster Park accommodated a record crowd, on Saturday. With the recent series of tests in Australia proving the most controversial which have ever been played between England and Australia, Phenomenal interest was displayed in New Zealand, and the presence of the victorious Englishmen in this country naturally attracted attention from hundreds of people who usually pay but scant attention to the game. This, and the fact that New Zealand was for the first time meeting an All-England eleven in a test on a home ground, was responsible for the interest displayed in the match, which was commenced in Christchurch on Friday, and which was continued on Saturday. Those who were present on Friday had the privilege and pleasure of witnessing a display of batting by the visitors, the like of which has not been seen in this country for many a year. New Zealand was represented by perhaps the strongest eleven which it was possible to place in the field at the present time. A few months ago the attack could possibly have been strengthened by the inclusion of W. E. Merritt and I. B. Cromb, who have left for England to play League cricket, and the batting strength of the test side would certainly have been improved by the inclusion of R. C. Blunt and perhaps of A. W. Roberts, who also have left the country. After the sensational dismissal of Sutcliffe and Paynter later English batsmen made amends for a disastrous start, and so completely collared the New Zealand attack that it is doubtful whether either Merritt or Cromb would have made much difference. Some idea of the fast rate at which the Englishmen scored was to be had from the total at the close of play, the board reading 420 for five wickets. The opening of play on Saturday saw a huge crowd present, and by noon the stands were well filled. As on Friday, the English batsmen again dominated play. Until the declaration came with eight wickets down for 560, they were masters of the situation. The New Zealand bowlers gave of their best, but the fielding of the home side lacked the sparkle of the previous day. At least three catches went begging, failure to accept these opportunities leaving New Zealand with a huge total to

reach. Luck was certainly not with the home side. In the first place, Vivian, owing to the recurrence of an old injury, was unable to take his place in the field, Cavanagh (Otago) going on. Then Badcock was still suffering from the injury to a finger sustained in fielding a hot shot on Friday. He was able to bowl, but the burden on his shoulders was a heavy one, and he did

remarkably well to come out with three wickets for 142, having sent down 54 overs, 11 of which were maidens. The task confronting M. L. Page, the leader of the New Zealand side, was not an enviable one, the English batsmen scoring at a remarkable rate, and it was not until he himself took the ball that a change came over the scene. Brown was caught off his first ball. Voce lifted Page over the on fence for six, but was, shortly afterwards, brilliantly taken by Dempster well out, off the captain, and England then declared. It had been a morning of spark-

ling cricket, marred only by the opportunities lost by the New Zealand fieldsmen, which prevented the probable dismissal of the whole of the English side. New Zealand opened shortly before lunch with Whitelaw and Dempster, and at lunch had six on the board without loss. The attendance reached its peak shortly after the resumption of play, and the huge crowd saw New Zealand occupy the wickets for the remainder of the day. The scoring of the New Zealand batsmen was in striking contrast to that of the visitors on the previous afternoon, but they gave a resolute display in the face of an attack which commanded the greatest respect from start to finish. With Allen rocking the ball down at a greater pace than the New Zealanders were accustomed to, and with four eager fieldsmen in the slips and three to leg, awaiting the slightest mistake on the part of the batsmen, not the least risk could be taken. Many of the fast bowler’s deliveries were well clear of the wicket, and though perhaps tempting, were best left alone, as Kerr and Weir realised. Keeping an immaculate length, and turning the leather back from leg, Voce forced the batsmen to play the ball with the full face of the bat. He displayed grace and ease in his action, and gave the impression that he could bowl all day, so effortlessly did he get his deliveries away. Voce bowled with five men on the leg side, and four on the off, but the New Zealand batsmen were wary of the leg field. The dismissal of Dempster for 8 runs was unfortunate for New Zealand, but the Wellington man was never very comfortable facing Allen, who was inclined to pitch his deliveries short. Weir joined Whitelaw, both Auckland batsmen giving a solid display. Whitelaw executed a number of pretty leg shots, some of which beat the leg trap. He was also sound on the off, but runs were very difficult to secure on account of the accuracy of the fielding. Paynter did not have a great deal to do, but what went his way he fielded and returned brilliantly. Jardine, too, made light of the hottest shots. The general display of the Englishmen in the field was well worth seeing. The crowd recognised the task of the New Zealanders to score against such bowling and fielding, and this recognition was the reason for the absence of barracking to brighten up the scoring. Whitelaw made one mistake only, but as is often the case in cricket, one’s first mistake is one’s last. Kerr then became associated with Weir, and a partnership commenced which was to considerably improve New Zealand’s position. Kerr was slow to get going, but he was taking no chances, as it was most essential that

the pair should remain together as long as possible, in order to give Vivian and Badcock the chance of a rest over the week-end, so that they might be fit to bat to-day. Weir gave a very dogged and determined display. On one occasion a rising ball from Tate struck him on the hand, but he was uninjured. The crowd laughed when practically the whole of the English eleven inspected the spot where the ball landed. Occasionally a voice was heard passing uncomplimentary remarks, but a majority of those present realised just what the batsmen were up against. Occasionally Verity sent down a loose one. and cheers greeted Weir as he despatched these balls to the boundary. New Zealand’s score reached 100 for two wickets at 4.15, and a cheer went up as the score was posted. The weather at this stage was very dull, and becoming much colder, and the early drawing of stumps was likely. Kerr and Weir continued to score steadily, and at 4.50 they were still together with the total at 150. Five minutes later the batsmen appealed against the light, but the appeal was not upheld. It was unfortunate for New Zealand that it was not. for a few minutes later Weir lost his wicket, being caught by Jardine off Voce in the slips. His 66 had been hard earned. and he thoroughly deserved the applause which greeted his return to the pavilion. Page did not go to the wickets, a further appeal against the light being upheld. New Zealand still being 407 runs behind.

Badcock . . 54 11 142 3 Smith .. 20 0 113 1 Newman ... 25 6 91 0 Freeman .. 20 2 78 0 Vivian .. 19 1 72 1 Weir 7 0 28 0 Page .. 2.3 0 21 2