CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19845, 20 May 1927, Page 4

CRICKET

A GREAT_RECOVERY NEW ZEALANDER’S TOUR CRICKETERS AT CAMBRIDGE PAGE PROVES HERO OF MATCH LONDON, May 18. New Zealand won the toss against Cambridge and went in, but made a most disastrous start. AJloms’ bowling at the opening of the innings was deadly. Both Blunt and Dempster failed to score and the total was only three for two wickets when Lowry came in and with Mills resolutely stopped the rot. It was not, however, till Page, who so far had failed to strike form, appeared that the game was definitely restored. His was the most outstanding effort on the side, and he went well past the century in an innirfgs that lasted for three hours and twenty minutes. He did not give a chance and displayed some dashii.« hitting, which included one five, and sixteen fours. In McGirr he found an excellent partner, and thanks largely to this paiY, the score, which was only - for 159 at lunch, had advanced to 188 at the tea adjournment. They added 82 in 45 minutes, but Cambridge made a bad mistake by letting McGirr off in a chance of stumping before he had scored. Merritt, whose twitting has been surprisingly good, again enhanced his reputation as a sterling tail end batsman and not only enabled Page to reach his century but stayed for eight minutes while 92 runs were added. He was, however, missed twice.

Page’s fine innings was brought to a close at 134 by returning a catch to the bowler. The excellent recovery made by the visitors was warmly acknowledged by the sporting ’Varsity crowd, who applauded the New Zealanders loudly. I Cambridge had only a few minutes at the wickets and were unlucky 'enough to lose their best batsman, Mor- [ gan, who was out leg before to Mer- | ritt, thus breaking what might have i been a dangerous opening partnership. The young freshman, Blundell, from Waitaki High School, who bowled with great success in the recent Frenchmen’s game, is assisting New Zealand in thrs match. Details are as follows: — New Zealand. First Innings. Bdunt, c Machine, b Allom 0 Dempster, b Allom 0 Mills, c Morgan, b Lowe 14 Lowry, b Allom 46 James, b Longfield 3 Oliver, lbw, b Longfield 18 McGirr, c Cobbold, b Lowe .... 39 Page, c and b Longfield 134 Bernau, lbw, b Longfield 10 Merritt, c Robins, b Morgan .... 34 Blundell, not out 0 Extras 17 Total 315 Bowling Analysis. —Allom, three wickets for 79; Longfield. four for 71; Morgan, one for 33; Cobbold, none for 48; Lowe, two for 38; Robins, none for 29. Cambridge. First Innings. Morgan, lbw, b Merritt 3 Laws, not out 5 Extras 2 Total, one wicket for ...... 10