FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 11

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

CARSON'S HITTING POWERS

PRAISE FOR BOWLERS

(Special to tho "Evening Post.") : ' LONDON. May 10,

Attack is supposed to be the weak point of the New-Zealand cricket team, but when the touring side made us first appearance, in the match with Surrey at the Oval, the bowlers were good enough to give the Surrey batsmen a bad time. Not yet in England a week, and with very little practice after their long' voyage, New Zealand's representatives have given the impression of being an attractive and well-equipped side. Their first day's play placed them in a fair way towards beginning their tour with a victory over Surrey. (.Play was interrupted by rain, and the match was drawn.) : '. ' , . It was in all-round performance that the New Zealand team was able to show of its ■ quality on the first day of this initial engagement, as Surrey were dismissed in time to enable the tourists to gain a lead on the first innings before the day's play ended. The keen eye of the critics was on the visitors, and much was said and written in praise of the team, judged on that opening, showing. BUILT FOR BRIGHT PLAY. The match was the first big one of the season at the Oval, and it was viewed with much interest because it would give an early indication of the strength of the New Zealanders. They had come with the reputation of being a very good batting side, but, as stated by the "Evening News," "with bowling strength that might.not be equal to getting our best batting sides out cheaply enough to give the New Zealanders sufficient chance of winning many matches." It was said of the match that it would be "a very nice test for M. L. Page and his men, and if the New Zealanders strike a- good patch we may have some very bright cricket at the, Oval; the New Zealanders are built that way." E. R. T. Holmes, Surrey's captain, did not play, and his absence was regretted by both Surrey: and New Zealand because of the enjoyable games New Zealand had had with the M.C.C. side which Holmes captained on a tour of the Dominion. BOWLING FORM. . Gallichan, Cowie, and Roberts made an immediate impression as bowlers against Surrey. The county team was dismissed rather cheaply, and, as Ronald T. Symond stated, in the "Daily MaiV Sandham, with his cultured" mastery, and Watts, with his vigorous aggression, were the only men to settle down at all. Gallichan, a tall, left-arm slow spin bowler, who dismissed Squires, and Barling with successive balls, .and whose figures before lunch were four for 19 runs out of a sad-looking total of 90 for five, had the most profitable day. As he was the last choice to join the touring party, he may be said to have justified himself already. Cowie. who also took two wickets with successive balls (Gover and Brooks being the victims?, is a big man of fine physique and has a long run up to the crease, with a beautifully rhythmic .and easy action. His pace, which started at fast-medium; increased as he continued bowling,. but without losing accuracy, of length. 1 But the nian who seems destined for the lion's share of the bowling and of wickets during the tour (according to the opinions formed by the "Daily Mail" writer) ;is A. W. Roberts,, .a steady stock bowler of impeccable length, who changes his pace without advertising his intentions. Several of the tourists showed themselves, to be good fieldsmen; and there was some excellent work close in and' in the outfield. INNINGS OF THE DAY. When New Zealand batted Gover soon disturbed the early batsmen, and at tea-time he had three cheap wickets, with the total standing at 29. Page was ou,t to a brilliant one-handed catch at second slip by Fishlock, but after tea -the Surrey slips would catch no more for Gover. Kerr escaped twice and Carson once.

Kerr batted very soundly, but the innings. of the day was that of Carson, a powerful left-hander, who gets busy quickly and hits the ball with heavy strength. He so restrained himself as to take 100 minutes in scoring 50 rups, but if I am not mistaken, he will go much faster in less anxious .times. His leg-side strokes were as skilful as they were hearty. In partnership with Carson late in the day was Donnelly, a young lefthander, and the excellent manner in which he timed the v ball was another feature of the play.