CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19164, 22 November 1927, Page 16

CRICKET.

0 NEW ZEALAND V. THE REST. AN INNINGS VICTORY. New Zealaud*s pioneer team to the Old Country finished its last match and bowled its last over at Lancaster Park vesterday. They wore altogether too etrone a side for "The Rest," and won by an innings and 46 runs. The result was not surprising, for "The Rest" was a somewhat scratch side, including as it did a number of players who only got a game through others not being available. The weather yesterday was fine throughout, the otily drawback being a cold easterly that blew across the ground all the afternoon. The heavy rain of the previous night coming on top of that of fcutuidav had left the ground in a thoroughly sodden state. The outfield was as Epongy as could be imagined, and the wicket was a bowler's paradise, under the circumstances, it was not surprising that most of "The Rest" batsmen failed to give a good account of themtelves There was a fair attendance for an off day, the sum of £66 being taken at the gates. This made a total for the match of £446. There was some fairly quick scoring when the New Zealand team resumed its innings yesterday morning. Some of the visitors were desirous of getting the game over so that they could get away last night. They therefore forced the pace for the remaining wickets, and when "The Rest" went in every endeavour was made to get them out in the quickest possible time. As a batting effort, "The Rest's" second innings was a dreadfully slow performance, but the play was interesting, because it gave one an opportunity of peeing the New Zealanders' out cricket under conditions in which they were striving to get the opposition out. And their out cricket was certainly distinctly good. Alcott demonstrated that he was a bowler of sterling merit. He kept a fine length, and this made him very difficult to score off, whilst his break and variation of pace kept the batsmen on their best behaviour. Merritt was given a fairly good turn at the crease, and . those who knew his qualities as a slow bowler before the trip to England, and watched him yesterday, could not but be impressed by the wonderful improvement. What was most noticeable about this improvement was the fine length lie kept. It would probably be a fair estimate to say that he bowled an average of seven good length balls to the over. His leg breaks broke right across the wicket, but he mixed liis deliveries so skilfully that the batsmen rf&ver seemed to know what the ball was going to do. For the most part the batsmen were completely at sea to him, and after seeing him yesterday one could quite understand why he was eo successful on the English tour. The New Zealand team gave a good display in the field—so'good as to make one wonder why they were classed as a poor fielding side in England. James gave a display at the wickets quite in keeping with the. great reputation he gained on the tour. It was high-class right through, and though he only accounted for one batsman, it was only because the opportunities were not there. The way he got in line with Merritt's deliveries suggested that there must have been a code of signals between them.

The Rest's" hatting was perhaps as good as could be expected under the conditions that existed. The bowling was really goocL and the wicket was a typically difficult one. It is questionable whether the rolling the wicket received before the innings started did not make it worse instead of better. Of the earlier batsmen Newman was the only one that gave the bowlers any trouble, and he made exceedingly "heavy weather" of it. Indeed rarely has a first-class batsman looked so unhappy as he did when he was playing McGirr and Bernau at the start of the innings. That he kept up his end! for so long stamps him as a batsman with fine defence. He missed few opportunities of scoring when the loose ball came along, though these were few and far between. BKs 65 was a most meritorious knock under most difficult conditions. Foley got 35 not out in a manner that suggested that the earlier batemen had made the bowling look more difficult than it really was. He attacked the bowling from the start, artd though one or two halls that he had a whack at early in his innings narrowly missed his wicket, he came through safely. His 35 was a knock of considerable merit, in which much good defence audi nice scoring shots were' shown. Cunningham was the only one of the remaining batsmen to reach doubles, and he made his runs in a manner that suggested that he can bat if he would take himself seriously. Play was'resumed .at 11.35. The not outs were McGirr (12) and James (2), and Newman, from the north' end, and Read' had charge of the bowling. Newman's first ball was fatal to McGirr. It pitched on a soft spot, hung limply, and came in and bowled him. 292—«—12. Bernau was next and hit Read's first ball for 3. Read was bowling short, and James took full toll by bitting him for a 2, two 4's, and a six. The over had cost 19. In his next over Bernau used the "long handle" and lifted one over the sight screen for 6. In Newman's next over Bernau was beaten by a good ball, which came in from leg. 326 —9—16. With Merritt's appearance Nixon had his first bowl of the match, replacing Read. The end oame in Newman's next oyer. James overbalanced himself in playing forward, and Boon stumped him. The innings had lasted just under five hours.

With arrears of 189 to make up, "The Rest's" second innings was opened by Newman and Langridge. McGirr opened the bowling from the south end with a good over, Newman scoring a couple of pairs. Bernau was the other bowler. Langridge scored a single off the first ball but Newman was visibly unhappy to the other seven, the sticky wicket puzzling him. After three overs to each bowler and with the total 8, McGirr gave way to Alcott. The sixth ball Langridge flicked sharply to short leg, where Lowry brought off a smart catch. 11—1—4. Gillespie was the ingoer, and Page bowled in place of Bernau. Newman welcomed the change of bowling and hit Page to leg for"two fours. After slow play Merritt replaced Pago at 24, and Blunt took the ball from Alcott. Newman cut Biunt's first ball for 4, passing the 20 mark. With the total 34, tfie plavcrs adjourned for lunch.

On resuming, Alcott, from the south end, and Pago carried on tho bowling. Nine were added slowly, and' then Lowry replaced Page. His fourth ball was short, and Gillespie pulled it to the on, where Merritt held a fine catch at dose mid-on. 44—2—1. Nixon followed, and Page bowled in place of Alcott. the latter going on at the other end. The change was Nixon's undoing, a short but faster ball than usual clean bowling Kim. 4(i—3—l. Badcock joined Newman, and plav continued to be slow, Page bowling his second successive maiden. Merritt replaced Page at 52, and his third bait Badcock had a lash at, but he mis-hit it, and it came down into Page's hands in the slips. 53—4—5. Massey joined Newman and play was still painfully slow. When Newman was 38 he «ent back a sharp catch to Alcott Which was dropped. A long procession. « singles was broken by Massey cut-

ting Merritt for 3. Newman got him to the leg boundary in the same over, but Alcott then beat Massey with a good one. 64—0—6. Boon was next, and after more very slow batting Bernau relieved Alcott. A couple ot pairs to Newman off Merntt gave him 50, but Bernau then bowled Boon. 78—6—2. Folev followed and got 4 for a snick behind the wicket. Singles sent 100 up for two and a half hours' plav. Foley was the first batsman — apart from 'Newman—to reach doubles. In the same over Newman went out to Merritt, and missing, stopped a straight one with his pads. 106—7 — fv>. McEwin was nest, but two runs later he went out to a leg break, and missing it, the James-Mcrritt combination did the rest. 108 — B—o.8—0. Read partnered Foley and Blunt replaced Bernau. Foley cut a full toss for four, got two to leg, and sent another full toss to the off fence. In Merritt's nest over, Read lifted one high into the deep field, where Mills made no mistake about the catch. 118 —9- —0. Cunningham was last man. and got a single. Dempster replaced Blunt and Cunningham hit a full toss to leg for four. He reached doubles with a sharply-run pair, and Foley got to 30 by square-cutting a full toss for four. At 144 Lowry bowled in place of Dempster, and with his fourth ball ho clean bowled Cunningham. The innings had lasted two hours 50 minutes. Scores : THE BEST. First Innings. J. Newman, 1213131423212221, lbw b Page .. .. 31 J. Langridge, 31121423241141, b Page .. .. 30 H. D. Gillespie, 423, b Page ~. 9 H. Foley, 12, b Alcott 3 F. T. Badeock, 1, b Page .. 1 H. B. Massey, 11111, run out .. 5 M. K Boon, 121212141141, b McGirr 21 D. C. Nixon, 11241214, b McGirr .. 16 J. McEwin, 144, b Merritt .. 9 R. J. Read, c Alcott, b Merritt ... 0 W. H. R. Cunningham, 41, not out 5 Byes, 1123 .. ~. 7 Leg bves, 111 .. ..3 No ball 1 .... 1 Total .. ..141 Bowling Analysis. 0. M. B. W. N.B. H. McGirr .. 14 2 41 2 E. H. L. Bernau 2 B. C. Blunt .. 1 M. L. Page .. 9 3 22 4 C. F. W. Alcott 6 W. E. Merritt 10 1 33 2 —■ Second Innings. J. Newman, 22114411241111211211111141212211121131112, lbw, b Merritt ... ... ... 65 J. Langridge, 1111, c Lowry, h Alcott ... ... * ... 4 H. D. Gillespie, 1111, c Merritt, b Lowry ... ... ... 4 D. C. Nixon, 1, b Alcott ... 1 F. T. Badeock, 1211, c Page, b Merritt ... ... ~. 5 H. B. Massey, 1113. b Alcott ... 6 M. K. Boon, 2. b Bernau ... 2 H. F01ey,..411122214241111412, not out ... ... ... 35 J. McEwin. st James, b Merritt ... 0 R. J. Read, c Mills, b Merritt ... 0 W. H. R. Cunningham, 1412212112, b Lowry ... ... ... 17 Byes, 11 ... 2 Log byes, 11111 ... ... 5 Total ... ... ... 146 Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W. H. McGirr ... 3 8 E. H. L. Bernau ;.. 8 2 18 1 C. F. W, Alcott ... 13 3 14 3 M. L. Page ... 7 2 21 W. E. Merritt ... 15 1 44 4' R. C. Blunt ... ' 2 l7 l 7 T. C. Lowrv ... 1.4 C. S. Dempster ... 214 l 4 NEW ZEALAND. First Innings. , G. S. Dempster, 11141111431111111 112111131211111121112112411211 4111212, b Read ... ... 77 C. J. Oliver, 111, b Badeock .. 3 J. E. Mills, 0 Foley, b Newman 0 T. C. Lowry, 11111114111114114321 4111414214424111111111211, b McEwin ... ... . ... 78 R. C. Blunt, 21114231121141391111 22141121, runout 48 M. L. Page, 31111111, b Read ... 10 C. F. W. Alcott, 21241221411312432, _ e and b Massey „. ... 36 H..M. McGirr, 111111141, b Newman ... ... ... 12" K. C. James, 11244611111, st Boon, b Newman ... ... 28 E. H. L. Bernau, 1321216, b Newman ... ... ... 16 "W. E. Merritt, 1. not out ... 1 Byes, 221214223 ... „. 19 Leg byes, 1111111 7 Total ... 330 Bowlkig Ansdysis. „,„,„, 0. M. R. W. F. T. Badeock ... 16 4 35 1 J. Newman ... 24 2 72 4 J. McEwin ... 15 2 44 1 R. J. Read ... 19 1 & 2 H. B. Massey ... 7 2 17 1 W. Cunningham ... 8 D. C. Nixon ... 1 . J. Newman will commence coaching to-day as usual—schoolboys in the afternoon; Linwood and East Christchurch at Lancaster Park. NORTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. SENIOR GRADE. Sefton and Oxford met at Sefton. Sefton made 54 (A. Smith 13, G. Smith 13). and at the call of time Oxford had lost six wictets for 100 runs (Glew 22, Pavelka 23, L. Wright 36 not out). Bowling for Oxford, Grant took three wickets forr three runs, Feary one for two, Wright three for 22, and Debenham two for 22. Dando and G. Smith howled beet for Sefton, In the Loburn v. Amberloy match, Loburn made 133 (Parker 35, Bennett 22, Cook 15 Croft 12, Lindsay 14, Pulley 10), and when stumps were drawn Amberley had lost two wickets for .67 runs (h. Rhodes 35, Johnson 23). Bowling for Amberley, Fulton took five wickets for 31, Mayc three for 2 Johnson two for 35. JONIOB B GRADE. _ Following is the draw for the second round in the Junior B Grade:— November 26th—Oxford v. Sefton, Eyreton t. Loburn, Woodend v. Horrelville, Rangiora t. Fcrnside A, Fernside B a bye. December 3rd—Fcrnside B v. Eyreton, Sefton v. Loburn, Woodend v. Fernside A. Rangiora v. Oxford, Horrelville a bye. December 10th—Fernside A v. Eyrteon, Woodend v. Oxford, Rangiora v. Fernside B, Sefton v. Horrelville, Loburn a bve. December 17th—Sefton v. Woodend, Loburn v. Kangiora, Horrelville v. Fernside B, Oxford v. Fernside A. Eyreton a bye. December 24th—Horrelville v. Oxford, Eyreton v. Sefton, Woodend v. Loburn, Fernside B v. Fernside A, Rangiora a bye. December 31st —Horrelvillo v. Rangiora, Oxford v. Eyreton, Loburn v. Fernside A, Fernside B v. Woodend, Sefton a bye. January 7th—Oxford v. Loburn, Horrelvillo v. Fernsido A, Fernside B v. Sefton, Eyreton v. Ranciora. Woodend ,1 bye. January 14th—Woodend v. Rangiora, Loburn v. Fernside B, Eyreton v. Horrelvillo, Fcrnside A v. Sefton. Oxford a bve. January 21st—Oxford v. Fernside B, Sefton v. Rangiora, Loburn v. Horrelville, Evreton v. Woodend, Fcrnside A a bye. ELLESMERE ASSOCIATION. Wcedous. yln.vine at r>uns.indel on Saturoay. defeated the local team by four wickets. Batting first, Dunsandel made 93 (Skinner 18, Pocock M, Johnston 14, Wright 18), and "eedons 109 for six wickets (Davison 40, j Walker 28. Marshall 17, Mevers 11 retired), lor Weedons, Drayton, Walker, Saunders, Marshall, and Curragh, and for Dunsandel, Jnmieson, McLaughlin, and Skinner secured the wickets.

YACHT CAPSIZES. ——• RESCUE LAUNCH DISABLED. (PBBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) AUCKLAND, November 21.' A small yacht, occupied by two sons of Mr J. W. Andrews, of Kohiniarauia, and a boy friend, was caught in a heavy squall on Saturday evening and nose-dived and overturned. The boys held on to their craft with difficulty till a launch conveying Grammar School girls in charge of Mr N. Oompton, approached. Working to the lee of the capsized craft,, Mr Compton got one lad aboard. Then he got too close and the launch's screw got entangled in the yacht's sail, but he got the other two boys on his launch. All were thoroughly exhausted. launch, however, was disabled through the screw being tied up with the yacht's sail. Ho signalled for help and the water pohce dispatched a fast launch to the scene. The girls were transhipped and the Compton's launch was towed ashore.