CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1924, Page 1

CRICKET.

[PiEUTEItS Telegiiams.] JXCOM PRKHKNSIBLE CRICKET. LONDON, June ]7. MncLnren, writing in the ‘'Daily Express" says:—“Despite tho first innings sensation the day’s play will cause some anxiety to the English selection, committee. Taylor put a heavy roller on tile wicket, which brought the damp to the top. so that the ball was certain to turn for about twenty minute';. The star batsmen failed to breakdown these early difficulties, and rave the way for flic rest of the tfeaui io bat on a plumb wicket. “Gilligan's direction and length ''•ere splendid. Tate was equally difficult. but the South Africans, in the -eroie.l innings. made Parkin. Tvilner and Kemler seem lame just when the frame should have l><?en finished (illicitly. Catterall and Bl.imlceuberg played in heroic style. The ,south Africans may surprise us yet; a man must ho an optimist who shouts about the bowline strength of England.” Warner, in the “Morning Tost.” says: --“The day began with disaster to tile .South’ Africans, hut ended in a triumph. The wicket was perfection itself, but the batsmen' seemed quite beb'less against the splendid bowling ol Gilligan and Tate, ft was an utter rout, and wbat followed made it. more incomprehensible. Scarcely ever can there have been a greater contrast in a single day’s cricket. The explanation of flic first innings lies in the Fact that the South Africans, for the first time, on tour, met. with a really fast wicket, and were all late in timing the ball. “Taylor and Commaille started the second innings with as much confidence as if the side had made three hundred instead of thirty, ft. was only natural towards the end of a hot day that the Englishmen should lire in the field, and during the last hour Catterall and Blanekenberg scored at a fast rate. Both should have been out before tile close of play, but their free batting delighted everybody, the crowd dispersing full of enthusiasm for the South Africans' pluck, ft was a remarkable day's play, and if there should ho a .succession of bard, true wickets, I think the South Africans will prove a far better side than they have hotlierto been regarded.”