CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1931, Page 5

CRICKET

THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR.

AGAINST STAFFORDSHIRE

(Special to Press Association)

(Received tfiis dav at 9 a.rn.) LONDON, July 2. New Zealand cricketers commenced a match against Staffordshire in fine weather. New Zealand team omit Lowry, James, Mills. Staffordshire'—Homer, Hickorton, Heath, Yates, Lee, Wilkie, Eller, Cross,« Taylor, Harnes, Lockett. Page won the toss. New Zealand lost three wickets early to Barnes, the famous ex-England howler and Taylor. Prince George arrived in till*! 'morning and met the players in the field and presented the New Zealanders with pieces of Staffordshire pottery. New Zealand cricketers did not ap-p?ar.-sto exert themselves greatly against ’Staffordshire, the only match on the tour to date, not a first class one. The batsmen were unable to take many liberties with the steady attack and Were mostly dismissed in attempting to force the pace. Barnes with two wickets for 58 still maintained control of h's length and spin, He howled Talbot round his pads. Mftthespn and Cromb bowled well at the start of Staffordshire's innings, three wickets falling for n : n e runs. Yat s s was bowled with Merritt’s faster "Call ‘Homer,” Heath improved the position with good batting. New Zealand’s attack appeared to slacken somewhat after their early success, NEW ZEALAND ’First Innings. (Dempster stp. Cross, b Barnes ... 41 iKerr b Taylor ... 8 Vivian o Lockett b Taylor ... 15 Talbot b Barnes ... 2 lAHcott c Lee b 'Ellerker 34 . Cromb stp. Cross b Lee 52 J (Weir c Cross B Lee ... 191 Blunt l.b.w. b Lock’ett 12 Merritt c Ellerker b Lee 16 iPage b Lockett ... 2 Matheson (not out) , 1 Extras , ... 8 Total 190 Bowling.—Barnes 2 for 73, Taylor 2 for 40, Lockett 2 for 20, Ellerker 1 for *6, Lee 3 for 33. STAFFORDSHIRE.—First Innings. Beckerton b Matheson 0 [Barnes c Cromb B Matheson ... 01 Yates b Merritt 12 Wilkie b Cromb 1 Horne (not out) • 28 Heath "(not out) 311 Extras ... b Total for 4 wickets ... 78