TOURISTS BAT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19998, 15 November 1927, Page 4

TOURISTS BAT

PLAY m WELLINGTON Cricket Match Between ‘New Zealand and The Rest DEMPSTER AND LOWRY DAMP AND COLD CONDITIONS [ Special “ Chronicle ’* Service ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. Threatening weather during the morning made the outlook very unpromising for the continuation of the match, New Zealand v. The Rest, at Basin Reserve to-day, and when rain set in just prior to starting time prospects of play wet© far from bright. After a delay of fifteen minutes, however, the players took the field, and the match was resumed under damp and cold conditions. There was only a small attendance of spectators during the pre-lunch session. When stumps were drawn on Saturday the tourists had made 35 runs for the loss of one wicket in reply to The Rest’s first innings score of 267. Dempster (19) and Lowry (7) were the net-out batsmen. Essex Bowler Opens Attack. The attack to-day was commenced, by the Essex professional and Otago coach, L. C. Eastman, who bowled with the assistance of a light breeze from the south. His first over cost only a single, scored by Lowry. Newman bowled from the other end, and his second delivery was driven by Lowry through cover to the ropes. Each batsman added a single, after which Dempster realised three from a good stroke off Eastman. In Newman’s next over Dempster made an excellent forcing stroke through the gully to the boundary and other scoring shots by both batsmen, who were playing the bowling very confidently, brought 50 up. The innings, commenced on Saturday, had been in progress for fifty minutes. With the scort at 54 Badcock relieved Newman (one wicket for 30 runs in nine overs.) At this stage Eastman retired from the field owing to an injury. He had bowled only three overs, during which the scoring strokes were confined to tnree. A splendid drive by Lowry off Badcock realised four, and a couple of smartly-run singles brought the total to 60.

Dempster’s Beautiful Strokes. Gallichan carried on in place of Eastman, and in his first over, after Lowry had notched a single, Dempster made two beautiful strokes for four apiece, one a forcing shot through point and the other a cut through the slips. The vacant place in the field was taken by H. B. Massey (Wellington). The batsmen were soon into their stride, and gave the spectators a sample of quality play. They met various changes of bowling without any signs of uneasiness, and kept the score moving at a good rate. Dempstc-r in particular gave an impressive performance but towards the end of the pre-lunch session Lowry indulged in some hard driving. The pair registered a century partnership, which was unbroken when the adjournment was made. Only a single was scored from Badcock’s second over, but Dempster added two more boundaries at Gallichan’s expense. Dempster was batting very attractively, and the excellent quality of his shots came in for recognition from the spectators. Particularly good were his efforts in forcing the leather to the off and in placing the ball through the slips. A neat cut for four gave Dempster his half-centrury. Another Change of Bowlers. With the score at 94 Kingston called upon Read to take over from Gallichan, whose three overs had cost 23 runs. Dempster notched a single from the npw bowler, and Lowry followed up with a cover-drive to the pickets, making the total score one short of the century. This mark was passed when Dempster drove a ball from Badcock to the outfield. The rate of scoring had been gooa, the century being reached in 85 minutes. In Read’s next over Lowry had the wood on to the leather, and two solid drives each realised a boundary. The batsmen continued to make good progress, and with the total at 114 the Auckland coach and Sussex professional, E. H. Bowley, was given a hand in the attack, replacing Read (no wickets for 33 runs in eight overs). Dempster could not score from Bowley’s first over, which was the first maiden of the innings. At Luncheon Adjournment. Badcock was kept on at the other end, and from his next over, tfie last before lunch, the score was improved by ten runs, which, with th© exception of a single, went to Dempster’s account. The total at the adjournment was 124—Dempster 69, Lowry 45, extras 2. Owing to the rain, the captains decided during the luncheon adjournment not to resume play until the conditions improved. Eastman, who retired hurt before lunch, strained a muscle in his leg. Play Resumed. Play was delayed until 4.30. Dempster and Lowry gave an attractive exhibition of cricket, running the score along to 169 before Lowry, who had reached 80, was caught at Jong on by Gallichan off Bowley.

Lowry drove powerfully, particularly ■ through the covers And mid-off. In all 1 he hit eleven fourers and assisted Dempster to add 153 for the second wicket. The advent of Blunt meant another long spell of leather-chasing for the fieldsmen as he and Dempster put on 139 for the third wicket. Both men played delightful cricket, proving New Zealand has batsmen fit to rank with the best in th© world. Dempster’s footwork was perfect while Blunt revealed a wide variety of strokes and both showed that th© English tour has imued them with increased confidence. Dempster Caught at Last. With his total at 145 Dempster, who had been at the wickets for 215 min- ! utes. was snapped up by Read off ! Foley. In all he hit one sixer and eleven fourers an'd gave a sound disp!ay. Blunt went on. to reach his century in quick time, cutting, driving, hooking and pulling in finished style. He was dropped once by Badcock at point and was eventually taken by Foley off Bowley at Mid-off with his score at 108. Pago and James did not last long, both being caught and bowled. “When stumps were drawn at 7 o’clock the board showed 369 for six, Allcott and McGirr being at the wickets. Bowley and Newman were the best of eight bowlers tried, though Badcock kept a good length. The match will be concluded to-mor-row, the hours of play being from 11 to 5 as the players have to catch the ferry steamer for Christchurch to-mor-row night. Scores: — The Rest. First Innings 267 New Zealand. Firsjt Innings. Mills, b Newman 8 Dempster, c Read, b Foley .. .. 145 Lowry, c Gallichan, b Bowley .... 80 Blun, c Foley, b Bowley 108 Pago, c and b Newman .. 5 James, c and b Bowley 4 Allcott, not out 14 McGirr, not out J Extras 4 Total, .six wickets for .. .. 369 Fall of wickets: one for 16, two for 169, three for 308, four for 325, five for 348, six for 357. Bowling analysis.—Newman took two wickets for 63 runs; Read, none for 63; Eastman, none for 5; Badcock, none for 54; Bowley, three for 67; Talbot, none for 25; Foley, one for 13; Oliver, none for 22.