FIRST TEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20105, 26 March 1928, Page 4

FIRST TEST

WONDERFUL WOODFULL Australians’ Four Hundred Cost Only Two Wickets FRUITLESS BOWLING CHANGES [ Per Press Association, j AUCKLAND, March. 24. I The first test cricket match between Australia and New Zealand comni\iceid j to-day under excellent conditions. AV inning the toss t.!ic visitors occupied the uatting creas 0 all day for the fine total of 416 lor two wickets. A feature of the jilay was the excellent display given by Woodfull, who went first with. Pousfondj and was unbeaten at the drawing of stumps with 250 to his credit. Ponsford and VVoodfull, by solid batting, gave the side an excellent start, ami 184 appeared on th.© board before the separation was made.

Kippax failed to get going properly but beliiiiad'cr and Woodtull iilayed out time. W.oodfull gave a great chanceless exhiibtion, commencing rather slowly. He was not seen at nis best until after registering his first century. Afterwands he scored freely witn masterly placed shots. Ponsford was a little more aggressive than Woodfull. Lowry had a trying time with, the bowlers, but managed the attack well. Finlayson bowled with remarkable accuracy the first time he went to the crease, while the other trundlers all bowled steadily, although Merritt failad, to got any ni£) off the pitch.

Woouiul was a real thorn to the New Zealand attack.

McGirr and Baticock were the opening bowlers. Runs came slowly, 10 appearing after 15 minutes’ play. Badcock was bowling for a well placed leg field, neither batsmen, being able to get the Englishman away. A succession of maiden overs was broken when Woodfull placed Bad-cock lor a single. Ponsfoiid then, survived an appeal for l.b.w. against the same bowler.

When Merritt took over from M.cGirr, scoring was brightened by both batsmen getting good boundary shots. Ponsford was nrst into the twenties by severely punishing a couple of short deliveries from Merritt. Ho reached 30 with a lucky snick through the slips off Merritt an»d, 50 was registered after 55 minutes, when Read took over from Badcock, who had bowled very steadily. Finlayson came on and a period of quieter play followed. Ponsfora reached 50 with a nicelyplaced three. Merritt cumc on again in place of Finlayson when the board reaid 98, the century being hoisted after 95 minutes. Badcock then took over from Read. Woodfull brought 50 up against his name just before the luncheon adjournment. Mills .was given the last over, making the sixth bowling change in an effort to break the partnership. Finlayson and Badcock resumed the attack, but both batsmen scored freely off the latter, who was relieved by Bead after a couple of overs. Bright free batting carried the score to 150. Finlayson was bowling really well, the batsmen having to play him all the time. Once he beat Ponsford all the way, but the ball just went over the top of the wickets. Next over a misunderstanding between the batsmen saw Ponsford run right up to Woodfull’s end. Merritt fielded the ball quickly and attempted to return. Lowry, in running back to Ponsford with his back turned, stopped the ball and an easy chance was lost. However, Lowry caught Ponsford belli mi the wickets in the same over. It was a fine catch on the leg side. Ponsford was at the wickets for two hours 20 minutes.

Kippax was kept on the defence. Merritt relieved Read with the total at 197 and McGirr took over from Finlayson. Two hundred went up after two hours, 35 minutes’ play. Badcock replaced Merritt, who had only bowled; one over. Woodfull scored three and four in succession reaching the century after two hours, 40 minutes. McGirr secured the next wicket by disposing of Kippax, Lowry taking a second catch behind the wickets. Schneider did not take long to reach double figures and Woodfull was batting splendidly. Two hundred and fifty went up in three hours, 15 minutes and Woodfull set 150 against his name by hitting .Batcock twice to the boundary and scoring 11 off the over. Merritt camo back instead of McGirr, but Woodfull was not troubled by the bowling changes. At the afternoon tea adjournment the score was 282 for two wickets (Woodfull 160, Schneider 10).

Resuming, Woodfull sent 300 up. Finlayson then took over from Merritt, attacking Badcock with the greatest confidence. Woodfull drove the Englishman beautifully to the boundary twice in succession, running to 190 and quickly notched another ten to register his second century without giving a chance. Dempster was given a trial with the ball at 342, instead of Finlayson. Woodfull piaced Badcock for a couple of boundaries and Schneider did likewise to Dempster. Ecad took over from Badcock and in his first over Foleydropped Schneider. The batsmen were still unbeaten when stumps were drawn the board reading 416 for two wickets. Scores arc:— Australia First Innings Ponsfoid, c Lowry, b Finlayson .. 86 Woodfull, not out .. •• 250 Kippax, c Lowry, b McGirr .... 16 Schneider, not out 50 Extras 14 Total, two wickets for .. .. 416 Bowling analysis: McGirr took one wicket for 48 runs; Finlayson, one for 72; Badcock, none for 95, Merritt, none for 85; Read, none for 80, Dempster, none for 16; Mills, none for 6.

A DRAWN GAME OTAGO v. NCBTII OTAGO i Par PreEfe AaEOclation. ] OAMARU, March 23. The one-day representative game, North Otago v. Otago, was played at King George’s Park in fine but dull weather. Otago had first lease of the easy wicket, but the majority of the batsmen were unable to handle the conations, and the side was all out for 153. Cavanagh, Matheson, and McGregor batted well scoring practically all the runs between them.

North Otago occupied the crease in the afternoon, making 177 before tlierr dismissal. Both sides were below representative strength and stumps were drarrn early to allow the visitors to join the last express for homo. The game was drawn. MATCH AT DANNEVIRKE HAWKE’S BAY TEAMS AT PLAY. [ Per Press Association. ] DANNEVIRKE, March 24. The cricket match between Northern and Southern Hawke’s Bay was played at Danncvirkc to-day in mixed weather, windy to start with and wet at the finsh. Southern won by seven wickets on the first innings.