CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1931, Page 5

CRICKET

THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR. AGAINST STAFFORDSHIRE. (Special to Press Association). (Received this day at 9 a.m.) , ANOTHER DRAW. mONIJOX, July o. The New Zealand cricketers were considerably below form in the match against Staffordshire. Erratic bowling and fielding permitted the County to gain a lead of 111. E'llerkt r, Lee and Lockett attacked tne bowling and Hamer and 'Heath offered good resistance, both being victims of Allcott, who was easily -the best New Zealand bowler. Kerr kept wickets ably in the absence of James. lEllerkier played a particularly bright innings. (Lockett hit live fours in one over by 'Matheson, but gave three chances in 'Cromb’s following over. Allcott was the only New Zealand bowler to command respect. Matheson, Cromb and Merritt were uncertain in length.

•New Zealand batted for 'two hours. Kerr was again dismissed covering his Wicket with his pads. Vivian gave a fine display of free, batting. He straight drove Lockett out of the ground, with a magnificent hit, which was still rising as the ball passed the sightscreen. Weir was brilfiantlv caught at mid-off after a. bright start, blunt and Talbot batted steadily before stumps were drawn. NEW ZEALAND.—First Innings, ©empster stp. Cross b Barnes ... 41 iKerr b Taylor ... "... 8 Vivian e Lockett b Taylor 15 Talbot b Barnes 2 Allcott c Lee b 'Ellerker ... ... 34 Cromb stp. Cross b Lee 32 (Weir o Cros!? B Lee ~, ~, ~, 19 Blunt l.b.w. b I.ock’ett . ..." ... '■..'.'■"l2 Merritt c Ellerker b Lee 16 (Page 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.

STAFFORDSHIE E.—First Innings. Beckerton b Matheson ... 0 Barnes c Cromb b -Matheson ... 0 Yates b Merritt ... 12 Wilkie b Cromb 1 Health b Allcott 60 Hamer b Allcott 68 Lee b Allcott .... ... 22 Ellerker c Matheson b Cromb . ... 68 Lockett c sub. b Matheson ... ... .26 (Cross c Merritt b -Cromb 16 Taylor (not out) .... 17 Extras D Total ... ... 301 Bowling.—-Matheson 3 for 55, Cromb 3 for 77, Merritt 1 for 102, Allcott 3 for 45, Blunt 0 for 11. NEW ZEALAND.—Second Innings. Kerr l.b.w. b Taylor 1 "Weir o Lockett b -Lee ... ... ... 28 Vivian c Lee To •■ Barnes' r “- .'.. ... 43 Blunt b Taylor ... ... 29 Talbot (not out) . 26 Cromb l.bAv, b Lockett H Extras ~.

, Total Total for 5 wickets 143 . Bowling.—Barnes 1 for 35-,— Taylor 2 for 44, Lockett 1 for 27, Lee 1 for 22, Ellerker 0 for 10. The match was drawn. TEST PROPOSALS

LONDON, July 2

The Board of Control and the County Committees are meeting on July 7, to consider additional Tests against -Sew-Zealand at the Oval on July 29, and at Manchester pn August 15. N.Z. COUNCIL’S message: CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. _ The New Zealand Cricket Council has sent 'to the manager of the New Zealand team (Mr T. C. Lowry): “On behalf of Dominion cricketers and supporters please accept heartiest congratulations on your meritorious performance in the first test.” SECOND TEST' PROPOSAL. The Council has received a cablegram from Mr A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the Councils Management Committee who is with the - team in England, as follows: “Magnificent, popular performance; our best ever.Takings at test over £2OOO (total approaching £4000.) Early gates suffered from weather. Future gates certainly better.”

CRICKET TOUR CANCELLED, ... (Received this day at 9.2 b a.m) DELHI, July ,3. M.C.C. have cabled to the India Cricket Control Board, postponing the proposed 1932 tour owing to the refusal of certain Bombay teams to take part.