VERDICT OF CRICKET CRITICS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20768, 1 July 1937, Page 9

VERDICT OF CRICKET CRITICS

TEST MATCH RESULT HIGH PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALANDERS “COME OUT WITH REAL CREDIT” United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 30, 7.45 p.m.)) LONDON, June 29. The cricket writer of “The Daily Telegraph" says: New Zealand comes out of the Test with real credit. It is no use pretending England is convincing. The question still remains: “What of England’s opening pair?” Hutton is too promising to be written off because of his failure hi his first big Test but the selectors must be a little uneasy as for English bowling, that was depressing indeed. DRAW IN TEST MATCH NEW ZEALAND’S STURDY STAND United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph nnovrtght LONDON, June 29. The first lest, New Zealand v England, played at Lord’s, ended in a draw. England made 424 and 226 for four (declared). New Zealand made 295 and 175 for eight. A bad light stopped play early. Nearly 9000 paid for admission, making over 43,000 for the three days —a welcome addition to the finances of the tour. New Zealand saved the match after many anxious periods, mainly through another fine Innings by Wallace, a wonderful display of stonewalling by Page, and a determined stand for the eighth wicket by Kerr and Donnelly. The draw was decidedly in favour of the home team, but the tourists deserve credit for fine bowling on the first day, and determined batting when in difficulties on the second and third. Inability to open well, was a severe weakness of the batting in both Innings, throwing a heavy weight of responsibility on those following, who were inevitably restrained from playing with freedom and confidence, when faced with the difficult task of retrieving lost ground against bowlers and fieldsmen made doubly keen by the early success. England Goes for a Win. England, seeking to win, forced the pace in the second innings. After overcoming the cheap dismissal of Hutton and Parks, to another fine piece of opening bowling by Cowie. Hardstaft and Barnett in a brilliant partnership, made a century stand in a title over an hour. Hardstaff scored six fours in an attractive display of driving, cutting and gliding. Barnett hit in front of the wicket with great power. The batting order was altered, forcing batsmen being promoted to go for runs. Ames and Robins hit practically every ball. Only Cowie could quieten the batsmen, although Roberts always looked likely to take a wicket. Hammond was unable to bat or field on account of water on the knee. New Zealand’s Big Fight. England declared at lunch, and New Zealand, facing a big deficit, were left four hours to bat. Another shaky opening soon placed the tourists backs to the wall. Vivian was well caught close up in the gully. Moloney was thrown out by a lightning return. Hadlee struck a rising ball, which dropped on the stumps. Voce was venomous, making the ball rise at an awkward height. Cover was again troublesome, maintaining express speed. Later Robins, using a rough patch worn by the fast bowlers, turned his breaks sharply.

Brilliance and Stubbornness. A policy of concentrated caution was forced on Page and Wallace. Wallace injured his hand twice, rapped by kickers, but he continued pluckily and showed a fine judgment in picking and hitting loose balls, completing a great half century, including four fours in one over from Verity, and altogether nine fours. He scored 56 out of 70 for the fourth wicket in an hour and a half. Page patiently played the captain’s part, taking half an hour for the first two runs, and over an hour for eight, an hour and a half for a dozen, without mistake till his dismissal. Kerr, who was batting late because of a sore fact, associated with Roberts scored 54 in half an hour. After tea Roberts was brilliantly caught one-handed at short leg, Kerr hit seven fours in the first half hour and then let the ball fall off a dead br’ over after over. He stood at 31 for over half an hour, staying at one end to play Verity. Donnelly rising to the requirements of a difficult position, held up the wicket nearly an hour, Kerr’s match saving stand lasted nearly two hours, without a chance. Donnelly was out in the last over before play ceased. Following are the scores: ENGLAND

Total for four wickets (declared) 226 Bowling Analysis.

NEW ZEALAND First Innings. Vivian, lbw, b Gover - 5

NEW ZEALANDERS AT TAUNTON SOMERSET BATTING United Press Association—Bv Electric TeleerQDh—CnpvrlKht (Received June 30, 11.30 p.m.) TAUNTON, June 30. The New Zealand cricketers began a match against Somerset at Taunton to-day. The weather was dull for the commencement of play, but the wicket was in good order. The Somerset team is batting, and the opening pair have made 19 runs. Coming Matches Further engagements for the New Zealand cricket team to the second Test are: June 30, July 1, 2.—v. Somerset, at Taunton. July 3,5, 6.—v. Gloucestershire, at Bristol. July 7, B, 9.—v. Leicestershire, at Leicester. July 10, 12, 13.—v. Yorkshire, at Leeds. . July 14, 15.—v. Durham, at Sunderland. July 17, 19, 20.—v. Scotland, at Glasgow. July , 21. 22.—V. Scotland, at Dunler ml inc.. July 24, 26, 27.—v. England (second Test), at Manchester.

First Innings. Hutton, b Cowie .. Parks, b Cowie Hardstaff, c Moloney, b Roberts Hammond, c Roberts, b Vivian Paynter, c Dunning, b Roberts Rnmpf.t h C!n wi ft -- -- . o . 2 . 114 . 140 . 74 , 5 Ames, b Vivian .. .... . • Robins, c Tindill, b Roberts Voce, c Tindill, b Cowie .. Vorif.” r» h R.nhprts .. . 6 . 18 . 27 . 3 Gover. not out .. Extras .. 2 . 14 Total .. .. .. .. .. 424 Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W. 118 4 Roberts .. .. Dunning .. .. Vivian Moloney .. .. Page 43 II 20 3 46 10 2 i 3 0 101 64 106 9 12 4 0 2 0 0

Second Innings. Hutton, c Vivian, b Cowie . 1 parks b. Cowie . 7 Hardstaff, c Tindill, b Roberts . . 64 Barnett, not out . 83 Ames, c sub., b Roberts 20 . 38 Extras . 13

O. M. R. W. Cowie .. .. .. 15 2 49 2 Roberts .. . 14 3 73 2 Dunning .. . 9 0 60 0 Vivian .. .. .. 4 0 31 0

Hadlee, c Verity, b Voce .. .. .. 34 Page, c Paynter, b Robins .. » • .. 9 Wallace, lbw, b Parks .. .. .. 52 Donnelly, lbw, b Gover .. . ■ .. 0 Kerr, c Ames, b Robins ... .. .. 31 Tindlll, c Hammond, b Robins • • q Moloney c and b Verity .. .. 64 Robert., not out .. 66 Dunning, b Gover .. o Cowie, lbw, b Voce .. 2 .. 24 Total . .. .. .. 295 Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. V. Gover .... 22 8 49 2 Voce 24.2 2 74 2 Hammond .. 6 2 12 0 Robins .... 21 5 58 3 Verity .. .. 25 13 48 1 Parks 11 3 26 2 Hutton .... 2 1 4 0 Second Innings. Vivian, c Verity, b Voce .. .. 11 Moloney, run out .. 0 Hadlee, b Voce .. 3 Wallace, lbw b Parks .. .. .. 56 Page, c and b Robins .. .. .. 13 Robert, c sub, b Gover .. .. 17 Kerr, not out .. 38 Tindill lbw, b Verity .. 3 Donnelly, c Ames, b Voce .. 21 Extras .. 13 Total for eight wickets .. 175 Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W. Gover 18 7 27 1 Voce 18.5 8 41 3 Parks 10 6 10 1 Robins 16 3 51 1 Verity 14 7 33 1