SIDELIGHTS AND COMMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1933, Page 15

SIDELIGHTS AND COMMENT

(Special to "The Evening Post.") ' ■ CHEISTCHUHGH, This Day. Bright sunshine and a green carpet (unrounded "by stands, and banks occu-

pie 3by ever-increasing crowds marked the opening stages of the first f ull-di-oss Test on New Zealand soil. Trains, boats, and cars brought visitors from all over tho country, amongst thoso prosent being many enthusiasts from Wellington, including Mr. P. B. Broad, chairman of the Wellington Cricket Association, The disappointment at the absence of Larwood was tempered by plcasuro at Tate's inclusion.

A broad smile on Page's face when the coin fe]l led to the hope that Now Zealand had -won the. toss; but it was otherwise. Sutcliffe played, forward to Badcock's first ball; it swung away —click—"How's that?" sensation! New Zealand had inado cricket history by dismissing Sutcliffe first ball for the first time in a Test, "NEW BALL" BOWLER. Hammond, looking big and competent, chopped the first ball he-received dan-gerously-through the slips. Smith was tho other bowler. "Purely a now ball bowler," said a critic, "and not worth his place to bowl four overs every 200 runs." Past, with a swerve from the off, his first delivery sent Paynter's bails flying. The "new-ball bowler" had justified himself. Two for 4! Australia had never done this. Wyatt canio in next, resembling N. C. Snedden (Auckland)' on his way to the wicket. After 25 had appeared in 20 minutes Newman was brought on in place of Smith 'and bowled thrae maidens, Badcock doing likewise.' Freeman then relieved Newman, who had bowled very steadily. Wyatt off-drove Freeman to Page, called, and ran, but Hammond did not move. A wild return was well gathered in by James, and Wyatt was out—three for 46. • New Zealand's Buecess was almost beyond the wildest hopes, but with the emergence of the tall, slight, almost stooping figure of Jardine, to the aecompaniinent of a rousing reception, there came a feeling of apprehension. Both batsmen were unruffled and sent the • score quietly along. Hammond was satisfied with singles, but Jardine made full use of his reach to strike bat against faall, and a wristy shot at the last- moment steered the ball to wherever he desired. HOLDING THEIR OWN. After bowling twelve overs for 19 runs Badcoek was spelled. The batsmen were confident, Jardine scoring faster than Hammond, and nearly overhauling him before lunch. , The fielding at this stage was good, with Page and Badcock outstanding. The bowlers were. holding their own, although tho batsmen were meeting the ball with the full face of the bat. Hammond's 50 occupied. 108 minutes. Jardine late cut Badcock to the fence and then made his first mistake. He dipped at an out-swinger, snicked it, and James throw the ball up in tho,air. Jardino had played a fine stylish^innings which was an object lesson, in:tho use of the straight bat. Ames was quickly off the mark, and Hammond was livelier now. "We've shot our bolt, 7' said a pessimist, as frequent changes in the bowling were of no avail. Hammond's flashing blade was losing its rapier-like quality. It was beginning now to bo.more like a broadsword and was wielded with increasing vigour. . WELDING BECOMES SLOVENLY.

The fielding was beginning to wilt. Page, at mid-off, was standing up to a bombardment with great pluck and smartness; Dempster was keen and active, and Badcock was game despite a damaged finger and sore shins, but the others wore slovonly. There was no nip or smartness in-their display, and perhaps it was small wonder, as the sun was very hot and the wind and dust had increased.

_ The bowlers could make no impression, but men who aspire to represent' their country should bo well trained.1 /-Anyhow," said a cheerful spectator,' "we havn't missed any catches," The reason, of course, wag that the Englishman never lifted a ball except into the open. " ,

''Gold discovery in Ashburton!" called a newsboy, vending an afternoon edition, as 300 went up. "Did you say 'Bowler discovered in Ashburton f "said a hillite, "Better tell Curly!" The bowlers' figures wore anything but a ,thing of beauty when 350 went up, Hammond was exploiting every shot, and a ball rarely passed the bats-i men. The seriousness"was relieved by fi small child who threw a big red ball on to the field and toddled on after it. The^ child was captured by Kerr and carried off. ■ PEACEFUL ENDING. Ames reached his century and the 200 partnership was completed. Ames went at last to a leg break by Vivian. Brown was next, and there were fears for tho fate of the tired bowling, but he was content to leave the aggression to Hammond. The wind having dropped, it was calmer now, and the yellow poplars at the back of the ground were waving gently. The peacefulness of the scene was possibly affecting Hammond. He no longer indulged in stern off-driving, but was stepping across and turning balls on the off gently to leg. "With 20 minutes to go, following a consultation regarding the moving shadows on the pitch, stumps were drawn. Hammond was not out with 223, and it was a great privilegd to see this master batsman in action all day. Ames and Jardine, in their own styles, were little inferior.^'

The bowling had no devil. Badeock was the best; Freeman was too much on tho leg, and Smith was too wild. Page should have bowled himself. Despite eye trouble, James was in good form behind the wickets. t

After all, Australia did little better sometimes.