CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1927, Page 3

CRICKET.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Aug. 31. The New Zealanders began their last match against a first class County which also is the last match against any County, at Canterbury to-day, when they faced (Kent in its full strength, tho side including Chapman, Evans and Knott. The weather was glorious and the Kentish batsmen revelling in a hard wicket scored at a great pace. Ilardinge and Ashdown who opened quickly ran up 34 off McGirr and Bernau. The first wicket fell after half an hour’s play, Ilardinge being stumped off Merritt. With Woolley in the howling was fairly mastered, (Merritt coming in for severe punishment. The England player was in Ibrilliant form and reached 50 in 45 minutes.

At lunch the score was 1 for 129 but sixteen runs inter the- left hander was easily caught at cover for 68, after one of his brightest innings. Ashdown stayed till 179 when he was caught at the wicket. His 84 took two hours and ten minutes and included eleven boundaries.

Evans was quickly- disposed of, but Ames and Chapman started another profitable partnership which added 64 in three-quarters of an liour. By the ten adjournment Ames and Legge had brought the score to 5 for 309 and in all put on 77 before they wero separated. Ames who is Kent’s new wicket-keeper and is rapidly establishing himself as a first class batsman equalled Ashdown’s total and eventually was caught off Merritt. The New .Zealander’s troubles however were not over for Knott and Hubble also proceeded to knock the (bowling about scoring at a very fast pace and adding 24 in 45 minutes. The end came at 405 which had only occupied four and a half hours and was a fine example of bright and breezy batting. Merritt got six wickets but was terribly expensive. This is only the second time the New Zealanders have had 400 scored off them during the tour. In reply to Kent’s fine total The visitors made by no means a bad start and Dempster was unlucky in getting out just before stumps were drawn ten minutes early owing to bad light.