DEFEAT A STRONG POSSIBILITY

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1949, Page 5

DEFEAT A STRONG POSSIBILITY

(N.Z.P.A.-

— Reuter,

• N.Z. Needs 210 From Five Batsmen Wicket Becomes Bowlers' Luxury

Copyright)

.•"tSSP54" Received Friday, 10.10 a.m. OXFORD, May 26. The New Zealanders face a strong possibility of their first defeat during the tour-in their match with Oxford University. They lieed 210, baUing on a rain-affected bowlers' wicket, and have lost five wickets for 45. Heavy rain after the first day's play completely changed ihe charaet.er of the wicket, which, from being slow and easy paced with a tendency to take a spin on the first day, became n bowler's luxury.

This aided Oxford to end New Zfaland's first innings in 1 hour 35 minutes this morning for a total of 110, only 43 runs being added for seven wickets. v Wailace alone of the New Zealanders batted with distinction, ,-4'oring 27 to bring his total to 43. He was struck painfully on the Miuixib and on the fingers, and did not field during Oxford's second innings. The conditions also resulted in New Zealand dismissing Oxford for 72 in 2 hours 35 minutes. When the New Zealanders began their second innings the wicket had dried a good deal, but it was still soft and well grooved. Scott, after batiing for 25 minutes, was struck on the left eyebrow by a ball from Whitcombe and had to retire. Shortly after Scott returned he was caught off his gloves in the gully. Then Burtt came and went, giving a catch in the same position, and Rabone was brilliantly caught at siily mid-oif. Hadlee was determined to make runs and pulled Chesterton for a lovely six. Then Whitcombe bowled him with one that kept low, and Kardar bowled Mooney at the other end. Reid and Cave played out time, with the Oxford men running between overs to squeeze in as much bowling as possible. Thus New Zealand require 165 runs to win, with five wickets in hand. The chances are, one would think, in Oxford's favour, for the wicket is extremely dangerous. In the concluding overs of the day the ball was dragging divots away. Even F. Chester, the famous umpire, remarked, "It is the worst wicket I have seen in ten years." Last night the New Zealanders wanted a sharp shower — now they eould do with rain all day tomorrow ! Only Winn, the left-hander, could make anything of the bowling and his 37 in 1 hour 40 minutes was a fine knock. The remainder of the Oxford batsmen competed with the New Zealanders for the processional honours. The New Zealanders' fielding was good and Rabone, who did not bowl, distinguished himself again by taking in all five catches in the slips. Burtt returned to his bo'wling form

to get six wickets for 18 runs in 16 overs. Details: — OXFORD. First Innings 247 Second Innings. Hofmeyer, c Rabone, b Hayes . . 0 Boobyer, c Hadlee, b Burtt . . 8 Law, c Rabone, b Cave 0 Winn, b Burtt 37 Van Ryneveld, c Mooney, b Cave 1 Carr, c Rabone, b Burtt 0 Kardar, c Reid, b Burtt 7 Wfiey, c Rabone. b Hayes 0 Whitcombe, c Rabone, b Burtt 4 Chesterton, not out 10 Wrigley. c Hadlee, b Burtt .... 0 Extras 5 Total 72 Fall of wickets: One for 1, two for 6. three for 27, four for 40, five for 41, six for 53, seven for 58, eight for 64, nine for 72.

NEW ZEALAND. First Innings. Scott, c Van Ryneveld, b Chesterton 23 Hadlee, b Wrigley • l Reid, lbw, b Whitcombe 6 Smith, c Boobyer. b Wrigley . . 20 Donnelly, c Carr, b Wrigley 0 Rabone, c Law, b Whitcombe . . 1 Mooney, c Whitcombe, b Wrigley 4 Wailace, b Whitcombe 43' Burtt, c Hofmeyer, b Whitcombe * 3 Hayes, c Winn, b Wrigley . . . ! 0 Cave, not out 3 Extras [ . 6 Total 110 Fall of wickets: One for 4, tw0 for 19, three for 41, four for 67. six for 77, seven for 84, eight for 97, nine for 100. Second Innings. Scott, c Whilev, b Whitcombe . . 4 Rabone, c Van Ryneveld, b . Chesterton ' 10 Burtt, c Kardar, b Whitcombe C Hadlee, b Whitcombe 21 Mooney, b Kardar 1 Reid, not out 4 Cave, not out -4 Extras j , 1 Total for five wickets 45 Fall of wickets: One for 14, twc for 14, three for 14, four for 36, five for 36.

O. M. R. w. Hayes 14 6 28 2 Cave 18 10 21 2 Burtt 16 9 18 6

Bowling.