CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1931, Page 3

CRICKET

NEW ZEALAND TOUR

FIRST M ATCH’ AT LORDS

FOUR FOR 114

(Special to Press Association)

LONDON; MaVLfo

The New Zealand cricketers to-day commenced a ’match with a strong M.C.G. side at Lords. Considerable interest is being taken_in the game in view of the visitors’ fine performances in the opening matches. Steady r’in prevented play until after lunch and robbed the New Zealanders/of an anticipated excellent gate. New Zealand om a ted Mills, AlkoL an c [ Vivian. The M.G.C. team is as follows; Chapman, Jardiiie, Jupp, Dawson, A - loin, White, Crawley, Franklin, Turn bull, Robins and Heunie. The ii’cket was soft owing to the previous day’s ra'in and the ball turned appreciably, but slowly. The attendance in tlq. morning was' 2,000. Lowry won the toss for the fourth successive time in the tour. James replaced Mills as Dempster’s partner, but went out l.b.w. cheaply to . a swinger from AI loin. Robins bowled Blunt middle stump with a googly. Kerr and Dempster mnde .-a good effort. The former drove, powerfully and played with the general assurance of ;t veteran. He was caught brilliantly by Dawson. Dempster was ngu'in in scoring mood, and was gradually gaining mastery of the attack when lie rotureed a hard I°"' catch to White. The bowler split his finger in taking the ball.

Notwithstanding the state of the game Talbot, attacked the bowling and drove powerfully, bitting Jupp for five boundaries before luncli. Rage was content to leave the scoring to his partner. Dempster’s consistent scoring lias impressed the London critics, who describe him as a master batsman. NEW ZEALAND—First Innings. .Janies, l.b.w. b Alloni- 1 Blunt, a Roliins .6 Dempster, c an f ] b White . 4"> Kerr, c Dawson b .loop 2.1 Page, not out 6 Talbot, not out 2!) Extras ... 4 Total for four wickets ... 114 Rain stopped play which was abandoned for the day at the luncheon adjournment-.