WANGANUI HAS A GOOD LEAD IN HAWKE GUP CRICKET WITH WAIKATO

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 March 1948, Page 2

WANGANUI HAS A GOOD LEAD IN HAWKE GUP CRICKET WITH WAIKATO

In one hour’s cricket, full of incident, after the luncheon adjournment yesterday on the second day of the Hawke Cup challenge match at Cook’s Gardens, Waikato’s hopes for a first innings lead were blasted by an inspired burst of bowling by the left-hander Ron Brown, and Don Beard. Replying to Wanganui’s first innings total of 244, Waikato slumped and were all out shortly before 3 o’clock, being 74 runs behind.

Fluctuating fortunes in Wanganui’s second innings saw them lose four wickets for 51, after an opening stand worth 43, before Davidson and Nimmo retrieved the position. Again, an appeal before 6 o’clock against the light was successful, by which time the trophy holders had carried their score to 125 for the loss of five wickets. Judging by the amount of assistance the slow bowlers got from the wicket today Waikato’s chances of a winning tally when they have fourth innings are remote. Should Brown retain his form on the wearing wicket tomorrow it is safe to say that the Hawke Cup trophy will spend this winter in Wanganui. Furthermore, Wanganui in their second innings have a lead of 199 runs, with five good batsmen yet to come. Brilliant fielding by Brown at cover was responsible for the fall of the first Waikato wicket yesterday, when the score was 20. Barton called for a single, but Brown’s return came in like a bullet, If wide of the mark, and Condliffe gathered it in with his left glove and had all the time in the world to throw down the wicket, with Barton left stranded up the pitch. T. Lyon and the newcomer, Everest, played themselves in quietly, but shortly after 50-mark had been passed Lyon succumbed l.b.w. Petrie was the fresh batsman and with the wicket playing easily, he and Everest added another 30 runs before the latter, a left-hander, was bowled. Brown was the successful bowler, turning a beautiful length ball on to the off stump. Brown had just relieved Davidson, and his wicket was taken at an opporturie time for 1 Wanganui, three being down for 86. Everest’s knock was slow but valuable, Another left-hander, Aitken, was immediately in difficulties facing Brown, and the latter’s impeccable length also had Petrie scratching. A further change in the bowling was rewarded, Beard taking upFthe attack again from Thomas, and having Brown snap up Aitken in slips.— 95-4-0. The first 100 came up in the last over before lunch, the scoring rate being slow, with less than two runs coming off each of the first 60 overs. WICKETS TUMBLE. Although Hunt muffed a catch at mid-oft, off Brown's bowling, on the resumption, Petrie figured in the second disastrous run-out of the innings, and Beard captured two quick wickets at the other end. This put Wanganui’s tails up. Brown was right on a spot, keeping the batsmen tied down but without much luck. McMahon was shaping confidently, on-driving with powerful shots, but a spectacular caught and bowled by Beard spelt his downfall. McMahon straight-drove, and Beard held a very "hot” chance indeed. This broke the back of the batting, McMahon having been the fastest scorer of the match to date with six boundaries in his tally. Bergerson took the new ball, and off his first delivery had Clough safely caught by Hunt at mid-oif. Bergerson took the last wicket 1.b.w., and Waikato's innings closed shortly before three o’clock. Their batting time was 220 minutes, and the rate ot scoring considerably slower than that ot Wanganui—which was plow enough. WANGANUI BATTING. Holding a useful first innings lead of 74, Wanganui got away to a fair start in theii second strike. Thomas survived an appeal in an unusual incident where a bail was dislodged from the groove and the leg pin knocked askew without anyone being quite aware of the reason. He was first to go however, with the score board reading 43-1-20 Cave did not last long, being followed to the pavilion by the dour Hunt, who fell to a confident appeal for caught behind. Three wickets were down for 52. Evidently troubled by the -sun's rays directly in his eyes, Bergerson was quickly dismissed in the same manner as the first innings. He tried to hook Lissette but only succeeded in giving Barton a “lolly-pop." Punishing anything loose, Nimmo and Davidson became associated in a fifth wicket partnership which brought up the 100. Everest rang the bowling changes but it was not until some time after T. Lyon had taken the new ball at 55 overs that a wicket fell. Davidson attempted to square-cut a good length ball, and was bowled. His partnership with Nimmo realised 70 runs o£ untold value, Davidson contributing 41. Stumps were drawn at 5.50 p.m., the light being obviously unfit foi play. WAIKATO. First limings. T. Lyon, 1.b.w., b Davidson 23 I). G. Barton, run out 8 J. K. Everest, b Brown 33 E. C. Petrie, run out 16 C. J. Aitken, c Brown, b Beard , 6 N. McMahon, c and b Beard 41 M. Lyon, b Beard 1 L. Higginson, 1.b.w., b Beard 0 R. Clough, c Hunt, b Bergerson ... 11 N. Winger, not out 6 A. Lissette, 1.b.w., b Bergerson 9 Extras 22 Total -17 t Fall of wickets :20, 55, 86, 95, 115,

WANGANUI. First Innings 244 Second Innings. R. E. Thomas c Barton, b Lissette 25 E. K. Hunt, c Petrie, b Lissette 17 H. B. Cave, b Barton _ 5 J. Bergerson, c B-arton, b Lissette 1 S. Nimmo, not out 27 A. G. Davidson, b T. Lyon 41 D. D. Beard, not out ...... 1 Extras 7 Total (for five wickets) , 125 Fall of wickets: 43, sb, 50, 51 121. Bowling: T. Lyon, 1 for 13; M. Lyon 0 for 17; D. Barton, 1 for 37; A. Lissette 3 for 34; R. Clough 0 for 16; J. Everest 0 for 1. The match concludes today.

117, 133, 142, 160, 170. Bowling. M. R. W. 0. D. D. Beard 33 12 82 4 J. A. Bergcrson 13.3 4 21 2 R. E. Brown — 16 9 21 1 A. G. Davidson 12 4 20 1 R. E. Thomas 7 5 6 0