CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1927, Page 2

CRICKET.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM AT HOME AGAINST AYEST OF ENGLAND. (Australian Press Association & Sun.) (Received this day at 9.30 a.tn.) LONDON July 28. After the lo4s of a day tlhrougli rain, the match with West of England at Exeter began to-day before an attendance of a. thousand. New Zeilland won the toss and made a promising start hut the n-rO outfield todk off the pace from hits and slowed scoring down. Nevertheless Bln ill and Dempster put on 53 in tjie first hour, The former in particular showed plentv of enterprise till lie tell to a catch at coverpoint by Harrison. After Dempster was got rid of for an excellent 58 Lowry was dismissed by a brilliant catch itt the slips hut Dacrc indulged in some hard hitting while he lasted. (Mills who went in first wicket down was in his best form and did not appear to be troubled by the bowling. He had passed the half century and was still in when Lowry declared with six wickets down for 230. There remained nearly two bouts for play in which time the West lost nine for 93. against splendid howling and fielding. Alerritt kept a perfect length and varied his break cleverly with the result that Mcßryan atid > Overton were the only batsmen who could make any headway, and neither of these remained very long. NFAY ZEALAND—Ist Innings. Blunt, c Harrison, b Amery U Dempster, c Afilcs, b Buck 38 Mills, (not out) 32 Lowry, c Newman b Folding ... - Dacre. c Aides h Fabling 32 Page, c Butler, b Harrison 13 AlcGirr. c Butler, h Awdry 0 Alerritt, (not out) ... ... Extras 10

Total, C wickets (declared) 230 v Bowling—Allies 0 for 55, AlcTntosli 0 for 20, Awdry 1 for 8. Harrison 1 for 33, Fabling 2 for 49, Amery 1 for 29, Buck 1 for 11, Newman 0 for 11. AYEST OF ENG HAND—lst Innings. Alacßryan. e A!ills, h Blunt 3(5 Butler, c and b Page (5 Falding, b Alerritt ( ft Allies, l.b.w. b Alerritt’ 2 Newman, e Page, b Alerritt 8 Overton, b Loivry 20 Lusk. st. James, b Alerritt 4 Amery. (not out) 15 Awdry, b Alerritt 0 Harrison, b Alerritt 0 Aleliitosh, (not out) ... , 0 Extras 2 Total. 9 wickets for 93 REVIEW OF TOUR. LONDON, July 28. It can be said that English cricket has been the brighter for the New Zealanders’ visit. Though their outright wins have been relatively few. a perverse summer, more than their shortcomings has been tiie cause. Rain once saved them from defeat by the Army, but at least half a dozen times the rain has robbed them of victories against far stronger sides than the Army. What their batting has lacked in individual consistency is atoned for in individual sparkle. Their bowling has seldom been flogged, as the earlier critics had predicted it would, but bad all the catches been taken, their list of wins would have been longer.

Lowry, with 44.28 runs per innings, heads the batsmen, end be occupies twent.v-third place in. the English averages. Page is his nearest colleague, but be just misses inclusion in the first thirty.

Sti augeiy enough Dacrc, with 1C.50 runs per wicket, occupies second place in the English howling averag.es, and Page. with 18.41 is seventh. These are the only two included in the leading 25. The attendances have I ►ecu really disappointing, hut the weather lias again been responsible. Tima and time again big Saturday fixtures have boon literally washed out and similarly several midweek holiday opportunities in the Midlands. The result on tho finances has been most unfortunate. There is a long way to go—and perhaps it i.s too long to say that a loss will be averted, but the Manager will be able to report that it has been offset by valuable experience, the developntnt of the cricketing talent of the old cricketers and the encouragement to all to (help to qualify the Dominion to claim a round of test matches, the lack of which, in this instance, has denied tho team that glamour from which tlie Australians benefit.