OXFORD SAVE THE CRICKET MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18546, 21 August 1928, Page 15

OXFORD SAVE THE CRICKET MATCH.

“TAIL-END” BATSMEN FOILED OTHER SIDE.

(Special to the “ Stax.”) LONDON. July 12. Oxford's cricket team this' season have not played a very conspicuous part in the game, and it was confidently expected that Cambridge would win the match at Lord’s in rather comfortable style. The general view seemed to be that, if they could get A. M. Crawley, the chief batsman, out cheapply they -would not experience much trouble. But the play did not work out quite as was expected. Crawley was not an outstanding success, and yet Oxford saved the match by the skin of their teeth. It was a wonderful finish. An hour before the end, spectators began to leave the ground in the belief that it was all over. At this stage the Dark Blues had lost seven wickets in their second innings, and they still required over a hundred to win. Two more wickets fell, and half an hour still remained when the last man went in. The two players left to make the effort to foil their rivals were bowlers, C. K. Hill-Wood and E. T. Benson. It was a situation calculated to shake the nerve of far better batsmen, but they rose to the occasion, playing with a dead straight bat, and taking not the slightest risk. At the same time, when the ball that could be hit safely came along, the opportunity was not missed. As a matter of fact, Hill-Wood scored 20. As the minutes went Cambridge became anxious. At one time certain of winning, they began to wonder how they could get these “stickers” out. The bowling was changed repeatedly, and the field was altered. Indeed, the

“nerves” now appeared to be on the side of the opposition. First-class captaincy might have pulled the match off, but in the most gallant fashion the two Oxford bowlers saved their side. As they ran to the pavilion still undefeated, “Bravo Oxford!” rang over the field. Their draw counted better than many a win. It was a great match in every way, even though the bowling on both sides was undistinguished. Cambridge had the good fortune to win the toss and bat first.. Something of a sensation was caused when they lost two wickets for nine runs. But they gradually pulled the game round, and in the end made the useful score of 292. They were greatly indebted to a sound display by E. T. Killick, who scored 74. H. M. GarlandWells was the chief batsman for the Dark Blues. He gave a fine displayin hitting up seventy. In the end the Oxford total reached 287. So they were only five behind. On Cambridge going in again, R. W. Robins secured the only century the game produced. S. J. Sea brook also made 83. The innings was declared with seven wickets down, and the Dark Blues were left to get 335 to win.