GOOD START

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 66, 9 November 1931, Page 3

GOOD START

(Press Assn.-

MELBOURNE CRICKET CHRISTY'S BRILLIANT INNINGS FOR SOUTH AFRICANS AGAINST VICTORIA IRONMONGER BOWLS WELL

— By Telegraph — Copyright.)

Rec. Nov. 8, 5.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, Sunday. The weather was muggy and threatening but the wicket was good for the resumption of the cricket match South Africa v. Victoria yesterday. Blackie was unable to play, "having broken a finger of the left hand while batting. The visitors proceeded to dig themselves in, the opening pair doing so with a vengeance. Their batting methods were sound, Christy not failing to lay on the wood when anything loose came along. He reached the half century in 105 minutes, his partner then being 18. At one stage Ironmonger bowled 15 overs for 20 runs. Then Christy hit him three times to the boundary in one over. Christy gave a chance to Riggs in the slips at 78 off Ironmonger. A great ovation was given him on reaching his second century of the tour. , Blackie's bowling was sadly missed, but the batting showed f ew blemishes. Curnow batted for 189 minutes and hit two boundaries. His partnership with Christy realised 181. Then a sensation came, Ironmonger getting three wickets for no runs in two overs. Christy gave a splendid exhibition of batting for 200 minutes, hitting 15 boundaries. He has a fine defence and hits vigorously at anything loose. The play was stopped at 5 o'clock ow1ing to the bad light, which had contributed in a measure to the bowlers' later success. There was no further play and when stumps were drawn the score stood at 6 for 212. The total playing time was 247 minutes. Scores : — SOUTH AFRICA — First Innings Curnow, b Ironmonger ... ... 50 Christy, b Ironmonger 119 Mitehell, lbw, b McCormack ...... 15 Taylor, c Riggs, b Ironmonger 0 Viljoen, lbw, b McCormack ...... 3 Cameron, c Barnett, b McCormack ...... ..._ 6 Morkel, not out «... ...... ...... 2 McMillan, not out - ...... ...... 0 Extras ...... 17 Total for six wickets 212