DERBYSHIRE MATCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 8

DERBYSHIRE MATCH

FIRST INNINGS LEAD

NEW ZEALAND'S CHANCE MERRITT AND JAMES BAT WELL ■By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Juno 15. The New Zealand cricketers continued their match against Derbyshire to day. The weather was fine. The New Zealanders scored 296 in, their first innings. The County players commenced their second innings and when stumps were drawn for the day had made 91 for the loss of two wickets. There were 3000 spectators, including 1000 school children, who were the guests of the Mayor. Due largely to the fine ninth partnership of James and Merritt, the New Zealanders gained a first innings' lead of 66 over Derbyshire. The batsmen scored slowly against the steady bowling. Weir was bowled by a sharp off spinner, while Lowry was caught in attempting a big hit to leg. After lunch Vivian was stumped through jumping out to Mitchell. Cromb and Kerr were dismissed lbw. Merritt joined James when the score stood at 202 for eight and the pair proceeded on a most enterprising batsmanship innings and placed New Zealand ahead They then forced the pace. James made an unfortunate short run, and the bowler threw down the wicket. The innings closed at 296. Merritt and James each hit five fours. Derbyshire made a disastrous start, in the second innings. Slater was run out by a brilliant return from Blunt. Smith was bowled by a yorker from Matheson. Aiderman was dropped in the slips before he had scored. He made useful stand with Townsend. Detailed results arc as follow: — New Zealand First Innings Dempster, c Elliott, b Slater .... 14 Mills, lbw, b Mitchell 6 Blunt, c and b Mitchell 50 Weir, b Slater 22 Lowry, v Aiderman, b Walker .. 39 Kerr, lbw, b Mitchell 25 Vivian, st Elliott, b Mitchell .. 12 Cromb, lbw, b Mitchell ID James, run out 49 Merritt, c Aiderman, b-Worthington 47 Matheson, not out 1 Extras Total 296 Bowling: Slater, two for 52; Worthington, one for 72; Mitchell, five for 97; Townsend, none for 19; Walker, one for 12; Storer, none for 23. Derbyshire First innings 209 Second Innings Storer, run out • e > Smith, b Matheson 1 Aiderman, not out .. 42 Townsend, not out ° 9 Extras 4 Total, two wickets for .. .. 91 RAIN INTERRUPTS AGAIN NO PLAY BEFORE LUNCH Received June 17, 1.5 a.m. LONDON, June 16. Steady rain throughout the morning prevented resumption of play in the cricket match between New Z?aland and Derbyshire. An inspection of the wicket will be made after lunch.

MATCH ON FORMER TOUR NEW ZEALAND’S EASY WIN When New Zealand played Derbyshire four seasons ago the county suffered a heavy defeat by an innings and 240 runs. Derbyshire scored 129 and 172. Merritt took six wickets for 63 and four for 64; Blunt, two for 24 and three for 15; Bernau, two for 23 and two for 26. New Zealand declared its innings closed at 541 for nine wickets. Dacre scored 176 and Mills 100 not out. Dempster made 81 and Allcott 62. The following six players were in the Derbyshire eleven on that occasion:— Storer, Worthington, Slater, Ford, Townsend, Elliott. Eight of the present Derbyshire team played against Australia last season when the county was beaten by ten wickpts. Derbyshire made 215 and 181. Hornibrook took six wickets for 61 and six for 82. Australia scored 348 and 52 for no wickets. Ponsford contributed 131 in the first innings, in which Mitchell took four wickets fur 78 runs. Derbyshire has depended to a very great extent for some seasons past on its three good all-round players, Slater, Townsend and Worthington. Storer headed the batting list last season, playing 44 innings at an average of 33.28 Townsend was second with an average of 30 for 46 innings. Smith was third with 29.54 for 35 innings. Mitchell was the county’s star bowler last season, taking 134 wickets at a cost of 18.24 runs apiece. Others successful bowlers were: —Slater, 81 at 20.14; Townsend, 61 at 23.67; Worthington. 54 at 29.09. Worthington is the best known of the Derbyshire players to New Zealanders, as he toured the Dominion the season before last with A. H. Gilligan’s M.C.C. team. He .scored 125 in the match against Auckland. YOUTH AND SKILL WANTED ENGLAND’S TEST TEAM LONDON, June 15. It is understood that the selection committee is restricting the Test team against the New Zealanders to players young and skilful enoueh for the Australian tour. Hobbs and Hendren will probably not. be chosen.