BIG CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20106, 27 March 1928, Page 7

BIG CRICKET

TEST AT AUCKLAND New Zealand Batsmen Provide Bright Opening CONDITIONS BETTER [ Per Press Association J AUCKLAND, March 26. The first cricket test between Australia and New Zealand was continued at Eden Park to-day. The visitors batted until the luncheon adjournment and declared the innings closed with five wickets down for 573. New Zealand had lost six wickets for 207 when stumps were drawn.

Conditions were even better than those prevailing on Saturday. The wicket, although worn, played very true, but an occasional ball kepi low. Woodfull was fortunate in being dropped off the second ball of the day, and Schneider had a couple of lives, all the chances being at the expense of Read. Richardson made runs by some powerful drives, and towards the end of the innings the Australian captain was hitting out. Dempster and Mills were associated in a bright first wicket partnership, which realised 83. Hamilton, until the adjournment, batted with vigour, but the remaining batsmen failed to get a proper start. Grimmett bowled with great, command of length, and bowled 32 consecutive overs for throe wickets and 84 runs. McNamee was also in fine form. He sent down eleven overs for 15 runs and three wickets.

Read opened the attack this morning and was unlucky when Woodfull snicked the second ball to Finlayson at second slip, the fieldsman dropping the catch. Badcock bowled at the other end, but Read’s luck was stiil running against him , for a couple of overs later Schneider gave a catch to Lowry behind the wickets. In the next over Schneider had a let-off in the slips, Foley failing to hold a chance .off Read. This made the fourth catch missed off the bowler.

Schneider was scoring more quickly than Woodfull, and after adding 18 to his over-night total was nicely caught by Lowry off Badcock, 448—3 —6B.

■When Richardson went to the crease Merritt replaced Read. Woodfull was adding runs by his usual wellplaced shots, and at 466 McGirr took over from Merritt. Powerful driving by Richardson soon carried him into the twenties, but he tnen lost Woodfull who went out to drive McGirr and was clean bowled, 490—4 284.

The retiring batsman was given a rousing reception for his fine innings, which occupied 5 hours 45 minutes. Jackson commenced with some pretty shots and 500 went up five minutes later. Richardson survived an appeal for l.b.w. Finlayson then relieved Badcock and 100 more runs were added in just over an hour. Richardson, still driving with great power, readied the forties, but Jackson, was quieter than his partner.

With the total at 526 a couple of boundaries to the Australian captain took his score to 50 after he had been in. for 65 minutes. Some smartly run singles sent 20 up to Jackson. Merritt was bowling well and Richardson in jumping out to him skied the ball just out oi the reach, of uhree fieldsmen.

Richardson was now taking risks, aflid another mis-hit fell safeiy. Merritt secured his first victim by dismissing Jackson at 35, caught and bowled, and the luncheon adjournment was taken, the board icaiuiug 573 foxlive wickets, Richardson 65. Richardson declared the innings closerl and after the adjournment. Dempster and Mills opened New Zealand's innings to the bowling of Morion ami McNamee. Dempster ran into double figures quickly. Dempster reached 20 with, nicely placed snots, while Mills was displaying a very solid defence. Mills at nine went right out to Grimmett but Oldfield missed u stumping chance. A good attack with a well-placed field, slackened, the scoring rate, but boundaries by both batsmen sent 50 up in as many minutes. Dempster reaching the thirties while Mills ran into the twenties. Shortly after, Dempstem gained applause by hitting Grimmett twice to the boundary in onu over. Mills did likewise to Blackie, much to the delight of the spectators. The New Zealand pair were both batting with great confidence, 80 going up after an hour anrl a quarter. Then Dempster in attempting a scoring stroke to leg .off Grimmett went across too far and was bowled round; the legs, 88—13—44.

Hamilton opened cautiously and 100 went up after an hour and a half’s play. A wild return by Jackson notched five to Mills who was now 40. Hamilton was cheered, hitting Blackie for the first six of the match. Mills reached; 50 just before the tea adjournment while Hamilton, batting nicely, was in his thirties, the board reading 142 for one wicket. Morton and, Grimmett, bowled on resuming and the slow bowler secured a lucky wicket by bowling Mills off hi* pads 145 —2 —58. However, Grimmett bowled Badcock with a beautiful length ball before the Englishman had scored, 145—3—0. Grimmett had taken three wickets for 59.

Lowry commenced to plaw himself in and was shaping confidently when he lost Hamilton. The pair had added 32. McNamee clean bowled the batsman, 177 —4—4 G. The same bowler disposed of Lowry five runs later, Oldfield making no mistake with a eaten behind the wickets 182—5-IK

Gallichan after scoring one. was dropped by Grimmett off Owen’s bowling. McNamee who had taken two wickets for 13 runs was relieved by Blackie when the board read 186, with Foley and Gallichan together, the scoring rate slackened considerably and 200 went up after the innings ha i occupied three .hours and five minutes. McNamee again came back in place of Blackie and dismissed Gatnchan l.b.w. in his first over, 204 —6 —•

11. ►Stumps were then drawn for the day, scores being as follows: Australia First Innings W. H. Ponsford, c Lowry, by Finlayson *.. .. 86 W. N. Woodfull, b McGirr .. .. 284 A. F. Kippax, c Lowry, b McGirr 16 K. SchnobJer, c Lowry, b Badcock 68 V. Y. Richardson, not out 65 A. Jackson, c and b Merritt .... 35 Extras J 9 Total for five wickets .. .. 573 Bowling analysis: Badcock took one wicket for 121 runs, McGirr, two for 88; Merritt, one for 121, Read, none for 102; Finlayson, one for 92, Mißl none for six; Dempster, none for 2< New Zealand First Innings C. 8. Dempster, b Grimmett .... 44 J. E. Mills, b Grimmett 58 I. M. Hamilton, b McNamee .... 4n T. Badcock, b Grimmett 6 T. C. Lowry, c Oldfield, b MeNameo )• N. Foley, not out 10 N. Gallichan, l.b.w. b McNamee .. 11 Extras 26 | Total for six wickets .. .. 207 Bowling analysis: McNamee took three wickets for 15 runs; Grimmett 3 B4, Blackie none for 58; Morton, none for 24.