MIDDLESEX MAKE 241.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18343, 1 June 1931, Page 7

MIDDLESEX MAKE 241.

NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS TOURISTS' INAUSPICIOUS START. TWO WICKETS DOWN FOR 33. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, May 30. The New Zealand cricketers commenced the eighth match of their tour against Middlesex to-day. Lowry lost the toss for the first time and the county batted, compiling 241 runs. It was fine bowling by Cromb ■which allowed the team to dismiss Middlesex so comparatively cheaply. The teams are as follows: New Zealand: Lowry, Blunt, Cromb, James, Kerr, Mills, Merritt, Page, Talbot, Weir, Vivian. Middlesex: Enthoven, Hearne, Canning, Hendren, Allen, Newman, Haig, Hulme, Durston, Peebles, Price. Enthoven and Hearne started confidently on an easy wicket. The bowling during the morning was somewhat unsteady, but Lowry’s policy of frequent changes checked the scoring. Hearne was the first out, being caught in the slips off Cromb’s away■swinger. Canning was dismissed by a brilliant diving catch by Talbot at short leg. Another fine catch by Page at first slip ended Innings.

Hendren and Allen added 100 runs in a timely fourth-wicket partnership. They attacked all the bowling.

After luncheon Cromb struck form comparable to that in his previous appearance at Lord’s, He took a fine catch off his own bowling in dismissing Allen. Then only Hendren looked like staying. He gave two chances before being caught behind the wicket. He played a delightful Innings, characterised by faultless footwork. He hit nine fours. Allen scored a six off Merritt and also hit seven fours. Cromb received no assistance from the wicket, but swung away late, varying with an occasional in-swinger. He bowled 31 overs, 12 of which were maidens. Blunt and Talbot bowled steadily, but Merritt was below form. Rain caused an adjournment for 105 minutes.

New Zealand batted for an hour before the drawing of stumps. Two valuable wickets fell to the test bowlers, Allen and Peebles. Mills batted confidently. The attendance was 12,000. Rain is now falling again. ■ Following are the scores:— MIDDLESEX.—First Innings. . Enthoven, c Page, b Blunt ...... .34 Hearne; c Blunt,' b Cr'omb' .;.. Vr; 22 Canning, c Talbot, b Cromb .... 13 Hendren, c James, b Cromb .... 74 Allen, o and b Cromb 58 "Newman, c Page, b Cromb 0 Ilaig, b Cromb 7 Hulme, c Page, b Cromb 17 Durston, lb\v, b Blunt 0 Peebles, lbw, b Blunt 1 Price, not out 4 Extras 11 Total 241 Bowling.—Cromb look eight wickets for 70; Merritt, none for 57; Weir, none for eight; Blunt, two for 52; Talbot, none for 30; Vivian, none for 13. NEW ZEALAND. —First Innings. Mills, not out 21 Weir, b Allen 3 Kerr, lbw, b Peebles 7 Extras 2 Total for two wickets .... 33