FIRST TEST MATCH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2001, 7 March 1914, Page 6

FIRST TEST MATCH.

AT DUHEEtN THE NEW ZftLANBEfIS BATTING. ON SLOW WICKET.. (By Telegra.pl*.—Press Association.) Dsinoain, March 6. '' The match between tho Australians and New Zealand—tho first test matoh which has over been played in Dnnedin— commenced at noon to-day on Carisbrook ground. Tho wickot was soft- and easy after the.heavy rain of the previous day. but tho outfield was fast and yielded its full quota of runs. The winning of tin* toss by Iteeso gave- the New Kealanfes tho first choice, and tlio New Zealand captain decided to send his team in. Tho start was not auspicious, tho first wicket falling for 18, but the nest part* norship carried the Scorn to the half-' century mark, and, with three wickets down for 111, Now Zealand may be said to have beenf in a good position at that particular stage, Armstrong bowled tho off theory, with an Occasional straight ono, while Crawford was sending tieni down with rare pace, Tlsa wicket played well, but tho bowling was good, "and tho batsmen found it difficult ta score, Threo wickets fell quickly after, the luncheon adjournments and five of tho best of the New Zealand batsmen were out for 126. Patrick, Sandman, and Condliffe, however, compiled runs steadily, and the second century was brought up after 15S minutes' ■ play. Heavy rain, which fell half an hoar after tho tea adjournment, brought about a cessation of plajr, and, as there was, no prospect of conimuisg, stumps were drawn at 4.45 p.m. Now Zealand then had • nino wickets down for 218 runs.

The batting was 6tric% orthodox, being marked by careful play against good bowling. On* feature of the New Zealand innings was tho batting of Tuckwell, who compi|e4 his half-century in, solid ,style, obtaining tho majority ot his runs with back-cttts and, good' log shots. Patrick played soUndlv for '38, including one big hit'for sis off Armstrong, which tlie spectators appka.lorl to the echo. . Iteeso got out throuah losing, sight of a ball from Crawford, which came back and tools _ his wiefefc, Sandman played a free innings while it lasted, and, in one shot, lifted Armstrong over the rails for sis, Condliffe played to feel a. break by Armstrong, and was unprepared far tho straight otm which got him leg-before, The Australian, ground fielding was fair, and their tlirowiiig4ii accurate, kit Armstrong missed two chances in the slips. Noble rang the changes on his bowling, but Crawford and Armstrong, who boro tho brunt of the attack, were tho most successful.

_Now Zealand 1 . Whitta, c. M'Gregar, b. Armstrong 12 Hickmott, c. Cody, b. Armstrong 26 Tuckwell, b. Armstrong ~..,.,., 50 Horspool, o. Cody, b. Crawford ... 20 Reese, b. Crawford ~..„; ~„* 4 Patrick, b. Crawford, , 38 Sandman,, c. Armstrong, b. Noble 20 Condliffe, 1.b.w., b,- Armstrong , % Kobinson, b. Armstrong ~,., g Wilson, not out" 4. Bennett, not out „ ,„, 1 Extras ' ~...;„ 13

Total for nine- wickets <. 218 Bowling Analysis.— Crawford took three wickets for 64 runs; Armstrong, livo for 76; Collins, none- for 17; Cody* none for 9; Maiiey, ftone for 12; Noble, one for 23; M'K«hzio, none for 4How ths Wickets Fell, ' . 1 2. 3 4 56 7 8 9 18 .50 111 120.126 167 205 209 314, Notes on tho Play, Tho following notes on the play are taken from a lengthy Press Association message) received from Duned'in:—-

Hickmott gave a chance.by spooning Armstrong up over the mid-on's bead, but tho ball dropped safely. Armstrong took the limit of tho crease when bowling. He Was no-balled on several occasions and cut matters Very fine on others.

Hickmott got cut by jumping in to drive Armstrong. He swished the ball to Cody, who took an qasy catch in the slips. Hickmott Was never quite confident to Armstrong. : With the score at 28 Tuckwell gave a chance to Armstrong off fody at fine slip.

At one stage Tuckwell swung Moiley to the grandstand for sis, repeating the stroko three balls later for fotfr, and notching a couple off the last ball, scoring 12 off th& over. Tuckwell had then run to 41, of which 34 were made with boundary shots. ,| The field was quaintly placed for Crawford, being arranged in V shape. When the score was 111, Tuckwell played back to a straight ball from Armstrong, and was clean bowled. He bad played fine cricket, scoring; chiefly with the back cut and swinging strokes. to leg.

Reese got a four with an uppish stroke off Crawford, and then came his end, tho bowler having his revenge by clean bowling the New Zealand captain, who had stopped in to make his .stroke. ■ Tho ball caino back a.good deal.

A short-pitched ball from Crawford proved fatal to Horspool, Who went to. pull it, and was caught by Cody at square-leg. •

On one occasion Sandman lifted Arm. strong over the rails for six, and Patrick also lifted the- same bowler 'nigh over the rails with a big hit, which the spectators applauded..

P„ain fell in .the afternoon, .arid the howlers were handicapped with agrcasy ball, and sawdust bad to be resorted to,

With Iris scoro at .17 C-endliffe gave Armstrong a one-hand.'chanco oft in the slips, tho Victorian just moving a fraction of a second too late for tho catch. At this stage Noble was bowling about a foot outside of tlio off stick, 'and one of these Coudliffe pot well over, sending it clean to the rails,

The second century was raised after 100 minutes' play. Patrick baited for ■82 minutes for a score of 38. '

With.seven wickets down for 80S, 8,0/b----inson came in. He got a loose- one from Crawford, -which hs drove over the bowler's head to the members' stand, but was out soon alter. •