M.C.C. VERSUS N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1933, Page 5

M.C.C. VERSUS N.Z.

HAMMOND 223

AMES ALSO SCORES CENTURY

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

CHRISTCHURCH, March 24. The Test match was continued under

conditions that could not have been

.improved upon. England fielded a strong side. The pitch - and- outfield were perfect. Sutcliffe and Paynter received a great ovation.

The crowd could hardly believe its eyes when Sutcliffe walked back to the pavilion after the sensational opening.

Smith then skittled Paynter with his first ball. It worked across slightly from the off, to take the left-hander’s leg stump. To the onlookers, it seemed too iood to be true, but it was. The score board read 4—2—o. Roth England’s opening batsmen were dismissed by the first ball. Wyatt and Hammond 1 ' showed better form with scoring shots, mostly behind the wickets, perfectly timed and placed cleverly into the gaps. They 1 took the score into the twenties in as many minutes. Hammond showed pretty leg placements and snicks through the slips. Wyatt was equally facile and rattled the pickets with a flashing square cut. Wyatt and Hammond displayed snappy running between the wickets. The New Zealanders were equally keen in the field. The advent of Freeman at the north end, in place of Smith saw a temporary slowing up. Hammond went for a big hit off Radcock, and nearly missed altogether. In the next over, from the same bowler, he lifted one high over the boundary. Freeman’s third over was a maiden, Page at mid-off, earning applause for smart stopping. Badeoek’s bowling was excellent, and kept the batsmen quiet. When 18, Hammond lifted a cover drive, and Dempster had a great attempt at a catch. " Wyatt reached 20, and then drove Freeman hard. He started to run, hut Page brought off a great stop, and whipped the ball' back to James. Wyatt, who. was half-way (along the. pitch, shipped, and had no chance of getting back, being run out by yards. That onded a. most promising innings. Jardine received an ovation when he joined Hammond, and the clapping was renewed when he drove Freeman for a single, and turned Radcock expertly to leg for two. Both bowlers_j!ent down maidens. Freeman finding the length. Baclcock was bowling immaculately. Varying the pace and flight, and getting a great nip off the pitch. Freeman full tossed, which Vlardine drove to the fence. ' In the next over, nn appeal ford.b.w, by the slow bowler failed. Radcock was spelled by Newman. He had bowled 12 overs for four maidens, 10 runs, and one wicket. Runs came steadily. Vivian was'treated with caution. Roth seemed set on batting easily. The batsmen played the bowling which was steady if not dangerous, with the utmost ease. The luncheon adjournment was taken with the total at 94, Hammond being 38 and Tardine 31.

Badcoek and Freeman opened the bowling on resuming. One hundred runs came after 94 minutes play, 'and Hammond reached 50 for 108 minutes play. Jardine’s end came when he played forward to a u off ball that was swinging away, and James took a fine catch at the wicket 133—4—45. Ames was next. He opened, confidently. Both the bowling and fielding had now fallen below standard. Long hops were coming from Newman, and v-ere escaping the punishment they dc erved, and the fielding at this Oage was loose. One hundred and fifty went up 'after 134 minutes’ play. Hammond was now hitting with more vigour, and he reached the century in 160 minutes.

Badcock went off the field owing to his finger being injured in fielding a hot cover drive, and Cavanagh (12th. man) came on to field instead. Badcock’s retirement however, was brief. The howling was now well collared. Ames reached 50 in 70 minutes. The total rose rapidly, and at tea adjournment it was 267, Hammond being 128 and Ames 62. Three hundred was passed after 222 minutes play and a few strokes later Hammond was a.pp’lauded for passing 150. Three hundred and fifty came after 249 minutes, and Ames reached the century after 125 minutes. The partnership yielded 200 in 111 minutes.

At 369 Weir replaced Badcock, apcl four runs Inter Vivian clean ' howled Am es 373—5—103.

Brown joined Hammond, who went on scoring fast, and loud applause greeted him when he reached the double century. Four hundred came after 284 minutes, and long shadows w'<"e then (falling across the pitch, and an 'appeal for the light was upheld at 5.40 o’clock. Scores:

ENO'LAND—First Tlinings. , H. Sutcliffe, c* James, b Badc-ock ... 0 1? Paynter, b Smith 0 w. P. TTa 1111110" d, rot out ... ... R. F. S. Wvatt, run out 20 D. R. Jardiue, c James, b Badcock 45 L. E. G. 2'n e s, b Vivian 103 F. R. Broiv.i, not out 12 Extras 15 Total for five iviokots 418