YESTERDAY’S PLAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 9

YESTERDAY’S PLAY.

GOOD DISPLAY BY HOME SIDE; SCORE 3CO. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 25. On what Hugh Trumble, a one-time 5. member of the Australian Eleven, described as the best wicket he had ever seen in his life, the Wellington team took all to-day to score 300 runs against the Melbourne Club. Admitting that Hendry, Ebeiing and W. Armstrong bowled well, the local batsmen flattered the visiting trundlers and refused i to “ have a go ” at the bowling, even • after they had become well set. A , feature of the innings was a brilliant • display of rapid scoring by Badcock, who rattled on 42 in half an hour. Kortlang scored an even century in 290 minutes, while Hiddleston laboriously compiled 84 in 155 minutes. Brice beat Warwick Armstrong for the toss, and Hiddleston and Hollings opened to Ransford, a slow left-hander, and Ebeiing, a right-handed express bowler. The batsmen were not connecting too well with Ebeling’s fast ones, and with 18 up Hollings put his leg in front. Hiddleston would have been run out with the total at 24 but for a faultv return' by Ransford.

The first 50 came up in fifty minutes, and Hendry relieved Ransford. Both Hendry and W. Armstrong were keeping a good length and play was deadly slow for a spell, Armstrong sending down a succession of maidens. Hiddleston relieved the tedium by reaching out and pulling one from Armstrong to the fence at square leg. Stonewalling tactics continued, Armstrong sending down five maidens out of six overs, ironical applause greeting the singles. Hiddleston reached 50 after 105 minutes. Armstrong, who sent down ten overs for 15 runs, gave way to Ebeiing. At 93 Johnstone relieved Hendry, whose eleven overs had cost only 23 runs.

The first hundred came after 115 minutes’ play, and the luncheon adjournment was taken with one wicket down for 100, Hiddleston being 57 and Kortlang 31. Play up to this stage had been of the dreariest description. On resuming at 1.50 p.m., Johnstone and Ebeiing continued the attack, runs coming more freely off the latter. Johnstone was over-tossing. Stonewalling tactics were again adopted. At 142 Hiddleston put his foot in front of one from Johnstone. His 84 took 155 minutes and he hit eight fours. The partnership realised 124 runs for the second wicket. L. A. Mason was cleanbowled by Johnstone without scoring. Kortlang reached his 50 after 150 minutes. James, the newcomer, opened confidently, the 150 coming up after 173 minutes’ play. After scoring 10 quickly, James returned one to Ebeiing. 161—4—10. H. Foley, making his first appearance in representative cricket, came next, and Hendry relieved Johnstone, who had sent down ten overs for 33 runs and two wickets. At 163 W. Armstrong relieved Ebeiing, who had sent along nineteen overs for 69 runs and two wickets. Hendry and W. Armstrnog again steadied the scoring, and the voice of the ironical barracker was once more loud in the land. With 189 on, Foley, who had shaped freely, was bowled round his pads by Armstrong after making 13. The spectators sat up when Badcock went in to face Armstrong’s slows. The Englishman powerfully pulled the second ball to the fence, and off-drove the next. Facing Hendry, the Wellington coach hooked the second delivery to the long leg boundary. Proceedings were further enlivened by Badcock starting to steal singles. Badcock’s free play reacted on Kortlang. Badcock was travelling between wickets twice as fast as Kortlang, and had to wait for him. At 220 Jewell relieved Hendry and Badcock scored 16 off the over. The tea adjournment was taken with the board showing 235 for five wickets, Kortlang being 80 and Badcock 32. On resuming Ebeiing took up the attack. After hitting up 42 in half an hour Badcock was run out, Kortlang refusing to budge for a stroke to cover, and a good return saw the Englishman yards out of his ground 253—6—42. After a period of slow play M’Girr, the newcomer, who had reached 18, spooned one back to Jewell. 277—7 18. Lambert joined Kortlang, who had been fifteen minutes scoring three runs. He crept slowly toward his century with singles at long intervals. With his total at 96 Kortlang was missed by Hendry at first plip off Ebeiing. Kortlang was an hour getting his last sixteen runs. At 293 Onyons took the ball from Ebeiing, who had sent down 27 overs for 107 runs and two wickets. After having been at the wickets for 290 minutes Kortlang reached his century with a three. He hit out at the first ball of Jewell’s next over and was clean bowled. 296—8—100.

Brice followed, and opened by banging Jewell to the ropes at square leg. With four runs added Lambert was snapped up in the slips by Hendry off Onyons. Beard, the last man, joined Brice, but spooned Onyons to Sandford at mid-on without scoring. The innings, which had lasted 305 minutes, closed for exactly 300.

Stumps were drawn at 5.40 p.m. owing to the dull light, Campbell and Jewell taking an over from Badcock.