IN SCORING MOOD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 17, 12 September 1931, Page 3

IN SCORING MOOD

Press Association—

-"Post" Special Service.

HARD DAY FOR NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS AGAINST LEVESONGOWER'S ELEVEN DEMPSTER'S STAND Rec. Sent. 11. 0.55 a.m.

-Copyright.

By Telephone-

SCARBOROUGH, Friday. The New Zealand cricketers continued their match at Scarborough against Mr H. D. G. Leveson-Gower's eleven in fine weather. The inimitable ' genius of Hobbs, and the machihe-like solidity of Sutcliffe gave Mr Leveson-Gower's eleven a strong first innings lead. The famous opening pair gave a display equal to their ■ reputation, scoring over 200 runs for the first wicket. Hobbs showed that he is still the 'finest batsman in England, and scored a century from a dazzling array of scoring shots before he was caught behind the wickets. His duel with Merritt in the morning was brimful of interest. Merritt frequently puzzled him in the early stages, but the veteran batsman gradually managed to wear his adversary down. His innings lasted for 189 minutes, and included 20 fours and two sixes. Sutclice suffered in comparison with Hobbs. Talbot concentrated on bowling outside the off stump, and kept Sutcliffe quiet. The batsman refused 'to take the slightest risk with bowling to this spot. He was eventu■ally caught behind the wicket off Blunt's first over of the day. Duleepsinhji was caught at mid-off in attempting to force Matheson. Wyatt and Leyland batted brightly, the former scoring, 23 off one over from Merritt. Next over he was stumped yards out, making Merritt' s hundredth wicket. The New Zealand fielding was excellent, and James was in his best form.

Mills returned a eatch early in New Zealand's second innings to Allen in attempting a hook shot and Kerr was an early victim to Jupp's leg theory, but Dempster carried on to hit Jupp and also Verity, who was off fiis length. He gave a sparkling display. Scores : — Leveson-Gower's Eleven — First Innings — Hobbs, e James, b Merritt 153 Sutcliffe, c James, b Blunt 126 Duleepsinhji, c Merritt, b Matheson . 24 Wyatt, st James, b Merritt 82 Leyland, not out 30 Extras 8 Total for four wickets (dec.) 423 Bowling: Matheson took one wicket for 54 runs, Talbot none for 87, Merritt two for 154, Blunt one for 29, Weir none for 91. New Zealand First Innings 217 — Second Innings — Dempster, not out 81 Mills, c and b Allen :. 16 Kerr, e Wyatt, b Jupp 7 Blunt, not out 10 Extras 8 Total for two wickets 122