FOURTH TEST

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 46, 24 February 1930, Page 15

FOURTH TEST

ENGLISHMEN ON TOP

LEGGE'S BIG SCORE

NEW ZEALAND'S 11EPLY

(By Telegraph.—-Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 22nd February.

The fourth cricket Teat between the touring M.0.0. team and New Zealand was continued at Eden Park this morning ia brilliant sunshine. M.C.C., resuming their innings, carried the score from 375 for six wickets to 540 before being dismissed. New Zealand, commencing their innings at 2.40 p.m. had lost four wickets for 174 when stumps were drawn. A large crowd witnessed the play in the morning, swelling to over ten thousand in the afternoon. The gate takings to-day were £,655 17s 6d, which, with yesterday's receipts, make the total £891 4s 6d. The wicket, although tending to show dirty patches at the end of the day, played splendidly throughout, lending very littlo assistaneo to the- bowlors. , Legge, who reached his century on Friday, carrioa.his total, to 196 to-day before being dismissed, His batting, and Weir's, for New Zealand, were features of tho day. Legge showed a greater variety of shots than was the caso yesterday, jumping into his stride right from tho first ball bowled. He appeared a certainty to get his double century, but foil a victim to tho only weak stroke ho played in the innings. The remainder of the Englishmen all batted solidly. . '

Tho New Zealand bowling and fielding were again good, Merritt in particular striking a good length and puzzling tho M.C.C. tail. ' ' .

Mills seemed set for runs when lie opened with Dempster, but paid the penalty for nibbling at the off theory. Dempster and Page batted brightly, but Wcii* was the real backbone of the side in running up 59-not out in his usual steady, and forceful style. Allom and Nicholls bowled exceptionally well, while Duloepsinhji gavo a great exhibition of slip fielding. ' 810 INNINGS CONCLUDES. Tho scoi-o at lunch was 509 for eight wickets (Legge 184 and Cornford 9). Lowry persisted with Pago after tho adjournment, Weir boittg giveu the ball, at tho other end. Legge took a couple of singles off Page, following with a brace and then a boundary to take him past 190. Ho was still batting in confident style when within four of the double century. Ho missed tho coveted mark, however, for in Weir's next over he .attempted to chop one through the j gully and lifted the ball to Mathoson, who held a brilliant catch. Loggo had been just on five hours at tho creaso for his score. 526—9—196.

Weir was taken off .with the advent of Allom, and Blunt substituted. Cornford Avelcomed tho changb by lifting a full toss high into tho terraces. The partnership did not last long, however, Cornford being caught at extra cover in attempting a big hit, tho innings closing at 2.25 p.m. for 540 runs.

MILLS GOES EARLY. Mills and Dempster opened tho New Zealand innings to the bowling of Nichols and Barratt. Dempster took three singles off Nichols, and Mills a single and a ainglo and a threo at Barratt V expense Tho first four of the innings eamo from Mills, who brilliantly lato cut Barratt to tho fence. Nichols was bowling a, numbor of looso balls on. tho, leg, , which Mills took advantage of to enter double figures with two nicely-timed glides. It was fatal to attempt a late cut from Allom, who had taken Barratt's place, DuleepsiuhjL collecting a good chance in the slips. 20—1—12.

Weir partnered Dempster, opening his account with a boundary. Barratt relieved Nichols, and the pair kept the New Zealahders subdued. A period ofdull play followed, .the first 40 taking 45 minutes. Woolley took the ball from Allom, and little bright cricket was witnessed, Dempster being responsible for raising the first half century with a well-timed square cut which rattled the pickets. A series of quick bowling changes ended, and Woolley and Bowley were persevered with until afternoon tea, when the score board read 71 for one wicket, Dempster being 27 and Weir 20. DEMPSTER CAUGHT. Tho interval for afternoon tea proved fatal to Dempster, for, in resuming, he was caught in- Allom's first over. 71—2—27. • . . Page shaped confidently on coming to tho crease, playing back mostly to Barratt, but opening out to Allom. Fifteen minutes elapsed before Weir added a brace to the score. Seeing that the batsmen were adamant in the face of the fastish trundling, and would not be tempted with indiscretions., Gilligan resorted to Bowley, who replaced Allom, and put Worthington on at the other end as a contrast. The change had no effect; neither batsman allowing himself to be lured by Bowley's enticing deliveries. A series of singles ran the score along to 90. Weir not having moved out of the. twenties, while Page was 9. Pago brought 100 up after 130 minutes with a brace to the leg. Page lasted until another 27 runs were added, then he was brilliantly caught behind the wickets by Cornford off Woolley. 127—3 —25.

Blunt only lasted three balls when he was clean bowled by Nichols, who, after being spelled, replaced Bowley. 131—4—0.

Weir reached fifty after being' two hours at the crease; Allcott and Weir were together at stumps, the score being four wickets for 174.

The following are details of the play:— .

. M.C.C.—First Innings. Bowley, run out 42 Dawson, c Alleott, b Blunt 55 Duleepsinhji, b Allcott 63 Woolley, b Allcott 10 Legge, c Matheson, b Weir ...... 196 Nichols, b McGirr 75 Worthington, b Merritt 0 Gilligan, b Merritt 25 Barratt, c Mills, b Blunt .17 Cornford, e Matheson, b Page ... IS Allom, not out 8 Extras ...;... 31 Total .'540 Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W. MeGirr .... 15 2 65 1 . Matheson ..30 6 SD 0' Merritt ..... 34 2 127 2. Allcott ..... .47, 17 102 2 Weir 10 1 29 1 Blunt .21 3 61 2 Page ... 14.4 4 36 1 NEW ZEALAND—First Innings. Mills, c Duleepsinhji, b Allom .. 12 Dempster, c Cornford, b Allom .. 27 Weir, not out 59 Page, c Cornford, b Woolley .... -5 Blunt, b Nichols 0 Allcott, not out .. 11 Extras 30 Total for four wickets 174 Bowling Analysis. o. m. n. w. Xiuhols S 0 25 .1 Barratt .... 13 5 23 0 Allom 14- 3 24 2 Woolley .... It 4 -10 1 Bowley. 8 1. ]9 0 Worthington S 3 13 0 ..