CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1931, Page 5

CRICKET

NEW ZEALAND TOUR

WARNER’S COMMENT

(Special to Press Association)

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. Mr P. F. IVarnei'j writing in the “Morning Pojst,” says :— “Tuesday, May 19, 1931, may he the starting point in a new era in New Zealand’s cricket, just as May ‘27, 1878 was in Australia’s cricket. It would he unwise, however, on the strength of a single match, to say that the New Zealand cricketers are a great team; hut it is a team so vastly improved that it would ho foolish to under-rate them.’’ CRICKET EXPERTS IMPRESSED. (Received this day at 8 a m.) WORCESTER, May 20. The morning papers refer in glowing terms to the New Zealand cricketers victory at Lords. I Warner in the “Morning Post” says | the victory at the headquarters of eric-, ket will add immensely to the visitors growing reputation. Merritt dominated the batsmen in the second innings and appeared 'unplayable. Cromb looks as if he could botvl well all day, He certainly bowled well yesterday at this stage of the tour, Merritt and Blunt Were most dangerous yesterday uhd Inay be the starting point of a new era in Dominion cricket, Henley in the “Daily Mail” says the Now Zealand bowlers completely fooled the batsmen. The wicket was little different from that whereon tho visitors scored 302.. The “Daily Telegraph” says a surprise may be in store for the cricketing world when the New Zealanders play hte test. The visitors’ youth and zeal is creating a-big impression.

AGAINST WORCESTER

WORCESTER; May 20 New'Zealand cricketers commenced a match at Worcestershire. The weathei was fine and the wicket slow. New Zealand omitted Weir, Blunt and Cromb. Worcestershire, Qualfe, Bull, Nichol, Gibbons, Martin, Walters, Ahl, Winwood, Root, Brooks and Perks. Lowry won the toss and put W orcestershire in. The County scored the largest tot a l yet registered against the New Zealanders, due principally to a fine hundred by Gibbons and a plucky effort by Perks, who with Gibbons, added 60 for the last wicket, although Perks himself scored only four. Gibbons started uncomfortably against Merritt, but later gained confidence and batted attractively. Nichols shaped well but was dismissed immediately after lunch by a snick in the' slipsThe New Zealand attack was slightly below standard, but the wicket wills easy throughout. Vivian bowled steadily before lunch sending down 31 overs, of which 10 were maidens, Merritt and AlnUiesou were .somewhat erratic. New Zealand hatted for fifty minutes. Mills shaped well before being dismissed. Tfiere was a good attendance in the afternoon. WORCESTERSHIRE—First Innings. Bull b Merritt 8 Quaife c L°wry b Matheson ... 29 Nichol c Page b Merritt 39 Gibbons run out --• H 8 Martin l.b.w. b Matheson 4 Walters c Vivian b Page 2-3 Ahl, run out 26 Winwood c Merritt b AUcott ... 6 Root b Matheson “ Brook c Janies b Merritt 2 Perks not out 4 Extras Total 276 Bowling—AUcott 1 for 32, Vivian 0 for 62, Merritt 3 for 98, Page 1 for 19, Matheson 3 for 54, Talbot 0 for 8. NEW ZEALAND—First innings. Dempster not out 1 Mills l.b.w. b Perks 19 Kerr not out 4 Total for 1 wicket ... ... 30 Stumps were then drawn.