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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 109, 11 May 1931, Page 8

WELL STARTED

NEW ZEALANDERS AGAIN DEMPSTER AND MILLS ♦ LEICESTERSHIRE MATCH (Special to Press Assn.) Received May 10. 5.5 p.m. LONDON, May 9. The New Zealand cricketers again started well in their match against Leicester, occupying the wicket all day and scoring 334 for four wickets. The weather was fine and the wicket good. The attendance was 6000. The teams arc as follows: New Zealand.—Lowry, Page. Blun’. Cromb, Dempster. James, Kerr, Merritt. Mills, Talbot, Weir. Leicestershire. — Dawson, Shipman. Berry, Armstrong, Riley, Bradshaw, A.till, Coleman, Geary, Sidwell, Snary. Lowry won the toss. Dempster ami Mills gave New Zealand a great start, scoring 172 for the first wicket. Mills played a delightful, chanccless inningl- - 67 before being bowled -when a’tempting to hook Snary. Dempster struck his best form and appeared set for another century but was trapped leg before by Astill when only eight short. Page and Blunt also batted steadily The latter scored well through the cove but was also a victim to l.b.w. at 44. Kerr was more restrained than usual, nor did Page adopt forcing tactics. The Leicestershire bowlers appeared more intent to check the scoring than get the New Zealanders out. The hall was generally pitched just short of a good length. The batsmen were un daunted by Geary’s test match reputa tion. Keen fielding assisted to keep the runs down. Scores were as follows: New Zealand. First Innings. Dempster, 1.b.w., b Astill 92 Mills, b Snary 67 Blunt, l.b.w. b Snary 44 Page, not out 68 Kerr, b Snary 24 Weir, not out 7 Extras 32 Total, four wickets for .. .. 334 After the splendid victory over Essex, providing a valuable success at the commencement of their tour, the New Zealand cricketers appear bent on add ing to the impression upon England. They have commenced in auspicious style their threc-day match with Lei cestershire. This county was beaten by Derbyshire on the first innings in its first match of the season. Notable amongst the Leicestershire players Geary, who, with Astill, is the county’* principal bowler. Ajjhinst the Australians last season Goan- took four of the five wickets which fell. Dawson, Shipman, Astill, Berry, and Armstrong were the main Leicestershire batsmen last season. Dawson was a member of th? M.C.C. team which visited New Zealand recently, but he was not able to play in much county cricket last season, nor was he able to continue as captain of the county team. On the 1927 tour the Now Zealand team made 371 and 165 against Leicestershire, whose only innings yielded 242 runs. In that match Henderson and Blunt were the successful New Zealand bowlers, and Dacre Page, and McGirr did best with the bat, Page scoring a fine double. The present touring side has turned the tables completely on Essex. Leicestershire do not appear to be. anv bettor than in 1927; in fact, on last season’s form, when they did not win one of their last fourteen engagements, thev are not so good. Now Zealand therefore should be capable of registering another good performance in the match which commenced on Saturday.