CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1927, Page 3

CRICKET.

N.Z. TOUR. AUSPICIOUS OPENING. [Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association.] (Received this day at 9.0 a. in.) LONDON, May 9. The New Zealanders began the first match of the tour at Holyport to-day against a strong eleven got together by Martinenux. Winning the toss, they went in and at luncheon time had not lost a wicket for 1-19. Blunt was then 9fi and Mills 18. The former was, out shortly after passing the century, Imt Mills stayed till the end of the clay, when the score had reached 410 for the loss of only three wickets. NEW ZEA LAND— First Dinings. Blunt, c and 1> Tanner 719

Mills, e Wood, b Hymlson 188 Page, e Tanner, b Joy ‘1 Dempster, e Sharp, b Hartley ... 42 Dacre. e Dempsey, b Martincau ... 102 Bernau. h Tanner II James, st- Woods, b Dempsey ... 29 7,owry. c Wilkinson, b Joy 32 McGirr, run out 2 Merrctt, (not out) 11 Henderson, (not out) 5 Extras 12 Total for 9 wickets 580 Stumps were then drawn. PARTICULARS OF PLAY. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) 1 LONDON, .May 9.

The weather and wicket were perfect for the New Zealanders’ opening match. Despite the trickiness of Tanner’s swingers. Blunt and Mills did some very rapid scoring, hitting up fifty in forty-five minutes. Blunt’s driving and leg side strokes were brilliant, but he snicked one rather wide hall dangerously in the slips when thirty-seven. .Mills with easy confidence was pulling medium straight halls as he wished. Blunt was missed by the wicket-keeper when 79. The batsmen kept level for a long time. Blunt brought the century lit) with a leg glance lor four all run. Repeated changes of howling failed to separate the men. Blunt outstripped his partner in the halt hour before lunch and on resuming hix play was of the freest, all round the wicket. The pair were not separated till 189 appeared. This was Blunt’s fourth

c onsecutivc century. Dacre and Mills later both gave a dazzling display and made the howling look impotent, though their opponents were not of the first rank. LONDON. May 9.

Ihiore's innings was the feature of the l afternoon's play. To the tea 'adjournment lie scored eighty-five in thirty-one minutes, hut went soon after the resumption. He liit three sixes ami twelve fours. Mills soon followed Dacre. Hisl*-8 included thirty fours. II is easy style and beautiful timing attracted the attention of the critics. .Mills should return to New Zealand a great batsman. Blunt s innings lasted two hours and Mills s 2)0 minutes. Roman's forty-one was vigorous and contained many crisp shots.

PLEASURE AT SUCCESS. CHRISTCHURCH. May 70

Pleasure at the opening score of the New Zealand team was expressed this morning bv .Mr Dan Reese. Chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council. “ Such a wonderful opening score will give delight to cricketers throughout the Dominion, and justify confidence in the hatting strength of the team.” said Mr Reese. “It is to he hoped that the howlers will do their share. Such a score will have an immense effect in England and create a great deal of interest in the first serious match of the tour. M.C.C. at Lords on Wednesday.”