TEST CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 160, 2 April 1921, Page 8

TEST CRICKET

NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE A DAY’S LEATHER-HUNTING

AUSTRALIA MAKES 495 FOR FIVE WICKETS

By Telegraph.—Prees Annociation. Auckland, April L The second Test match between Australia and New Zealand commenced this morning at 11 o’clock in glorious weather. The wicket was fast and true. The attendance was very small, but increased, to about 2000 during tho afternoon. Tho Australians gave the New Zealanders a day’s. leather hunting, and were still at the wickets when stumps were drawn, having gy then completely mastered «tbe home team’s bowling. Play on the whole was bright and the scoring fast. At the close of the day tho lioard showed five wickets for 495 runs. Rountree’s work behind the wickets was among tho outstanding features of the game. Rpnsford won the toss and elected to bat, Richardson and Bogle being the opening batsmen, to the bowling of Brice and Smith. After the first over, which produced nine runs, play was rather slow. It rapidly brightened up, however, and the century appeared in 70 minutes. > Meanwhile numerous bowling changes had been tried without result. Richardson was playing sparkling cricket, and his partner was shaping confidently. M'Beth. Sandman, Patrick, and Blunt were tried, and it was not until M'Beth was put on the second time that a separation was effected. Bogle sending ono up in the slips, which Hiddleston held. 161 —1 —67. Liddicut followed and shortly afterwards Richardson, who had quietened own, reached 'his century. The luncheon adjournment came a few moments later. On resuming Lidicut and Richardson took the score to 193. when Rieharoson touched one off M'Beth to Smith m the slips, the Aucklander taking a beautiful catch. 193—2—H2. Lampard filled the vacancy, and the score went to 212 when Rountree caught Liddicut behind the wickets, off Smith. _l Raiisfqrd followed and both Batsmen scored freely, the partnership adding runs to the total before Lampard lilted one from Patrick to Brice at mid-on, which was accepted. 426—4—13-. Lamparl was at the wickets for two hours fifteen minutes. Ransford was then 83. Waddy joioeil the Australian captain, and after making three singles was clean bowled. 433—5 3. Foriberg came next, and with Ransford played out time, both batsmen having the measure of the bowling. Following are the scores:— AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Bogle, c. Hiddleston, b. M'Beth 67 Richardson, c. Smith, b. M Beth ... 112 Liddicut. c. Rountree, b. Smith Lampard, c. Brice, h. Patrick 132 Ransford. not out ~ Waddy, b. Patrick * Forsberg, not out Extras Total for five wickets 490 Eden Park, where the second Test cricket match is being played, is situated in the suburb of Kingsland, and owing to its rocky foundation the wickets there’ are always very- much harder than those on the Auckland Domain, big matches are usually played, ine Domain wickets are soft, and those at Eden Park are distinctly hard, thus approximating close to Hie Australian wickets. H is thought, likely that this, at least in part, explains the big score made bv the Australians yesterday.