CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1931, Page 5

CRICKET

NEW ZEALAND TOUR. THE FIRST MATCH. AGAINST ESSEX. United Press Aa«»ciawon—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, May G. New Zealand cricketeis commenced a match with Essex at Lyttelton in fine weather and a small attendance. New Zealand omitted Vivian, Matheson and Crumb. Essex—Morris, Bray, l)acr, O’Conrtor, Nichols, Cutmore, Hipkin, Pope, Sheffield, Eastmore, SmitJi. New Zealand won the toss. Mills and Dempster opened eonfident’y. The first hour’s play gave 71. (Mills not out 29. Dempster not out 40.) NEW ZEALAND First Innings. Dempster, not out 201 Mills, c Sheffield, b Nichols 33 Page, 1.b.w., b Nichols 5 Blunt, b Daer 25 Weir, h Daer 0 Kerr, b Daer 25 I.owr.v, st. Sheffield, b Kastman ... 33 Talbot, not out 11 Extras 10

Total for 6 wickets 343 Stumps were then drawn. TRIUMPH FOR DEMPSTER. (Special <o Press Assn.) LONDON, May 0. _ New Zealand cricketers opened their tour most auspiciously-, The first day's play was a triumph for Dempster who is the first batsman of the Dominion to score two hundred in a single innings in first class cricket. Mills lost his wicket shortly before lunch, by a brilliant- catch by the wicket keeper. Blunt hatted stylishly until beaten by a leg spinner. Weir was dismissed in the same fashion. Kerr and Lowry helped “Dempster to carry on. both partnerships realising over seventy. Dempster was brilliant, scoring all round the wicket, giving one of the finest displays of his caieei, lasting 320 minutes. He only gave one difficult chance in the slips at forty-six. Th e New Zealand batsmen gave an excellent display against steady bowling and fine fielding.

COUNTY MATCHES. / LONDON, May 5. County Championship, first round— Surrey, first innings 258. (Hobbs 65. Gregory 68). Parker 7 for 128. Second innings 6 for 60 declared. Parker 4 lor 24. Gtouc-ster—First innings 7 for 175 declared. (Sinfield not out 71). Second innings 7 for 145. Gloucester won by three wickets. Essex—First innings, 224. (O’Connor 100.) Freeman 8 for 109. Second innings 126. Freeman 7 for 23. Kent—First innings, 397. (Harding-? 128, Ashdown 63). Kent won by an innings and forty-seven runs, Leicester—First innings, 210. Mitchell 1 for 56, Second innings, 5 for 207,

Derby—First innings. 224. Geary 4 for 50. Derby won on the first innings. Glamorgan—First innings, 185; second innings 206. Paine 4 for 47. Warwick—First innings,. 120. Mercer 4 for 38. Second innings 109. Mercer 8 for 42. Glamorgan won bv 161 runs. In a friendly match Marlebone first innings, 112. Macaulay 4 for 33, Verity 5 for 42. Second innings 0 for 65. Yorkshire first innings 8 for 227 declared. (Hammond not out 58). The game v r «s drawn.

Nottingham—First innings 267. (Lar. wood not out 102). Wensley 5 for 97. Second innings 7 for 353, declared. (Hardstaff not out 104). Sussex—First innings. 308. (Cook 69). Second innings 1 for 71. The game was drawn.

brightening cricket. LONDON, May 6. The new system of scoring cabled on 24th November, quickly brightened the cricket. The lure of fifteen points, was demonstrated at the Oval when Gloucestershire postflirtin s defeat, thrilled the crowd watching for a victory ex-Surrey. Beverley Lyon declared each innings, the second when 83 behind. Fender also declared, leaving Gloucestershire to score 114 under two hours. Hammond made the winning hit until two minutes to spare.

M.C.C. MEETING

LONDON. May *

M.C.C. annual meeting approved of alterations in the laws. With the object of helping bowlers on the larger wicket which is made compulsory in first class matches. The pit oh is rolled for seven minutes at the beginning of play and at the end of an innings instead of ten minutes.

Sir Studd, the retiring president, after saying lie was looking forward with pleasure to the New Zealand matches, nominated Lord Bridgeman as the new president. The new committee men are Sir Sudd, Warner, R. Mallet, Lord Aberdare.