TEST CRICKET

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 160, 29 February 1932, Page 5

TEST CRICKET

N.Z. V. SOUTH AFRICA

HOME SIDE RECOVERS FROM DISAPPOINTING START WEIR-ROBERTS PARTNERSHIP (Press Assn. — By Telegraph — Copyrlght.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Test match between New Zealand and South Afrjca opened at Lancaster Park in brilliant weather. The wicket was a trifle slow, but true and easy. The out-field was dead. The attendance in the afternoon was estimated at from 5000 to 6000. The Teams The teams were: — New Zealand M. L. Page ( Canterbury ) , capt., J. L. Kerr (Canterbury), A. W. Roberts (Canterbury), L. B. Cromb (Canterbury) , C. S. D.empster (Wellington), K. C. James (Wellington), G. L. Weir "(Auckland), D. C. Cleverley (Auckland), R. C. Blunt (Otago), F. T. Badcock (Otago), J. Newman (Nelson). South Africa Cameron, capt., Mitchell, Taylor, Christy, Dalton, Bell, McMillan, Vincent, Morkel, Balaskas, Quinn. New Zealand won the toss and batted. After a disappointing opening when the wickets of Kerr, Dempster and Blunt fell for a total of 38 runs, Weir and Roberts retrieved the position with a fine partnership of 90 runs. This partnership was followed by other improved performances Badcock topped the score with 64. He gave a magnificent display of free batting. His total included three sixes. The New Zealand batting display probably disappointed spectators. Beginning with the quick loss of Kerr in the third over of the match and of Dempster, who stayed at the wicket for 44 minutes for eight runs, New Zealand certainly had a weak opening, and the prospects were not enhanced when Blunt was.run out unluckily with a total of 38. Blunt was the first batsman to show enterprise and canfidence. Weir called for his loss when he hit the bail to Morkel at cover. The fieldsman returned the bail brilliantly to the top of the wicket and Blunt was yards out. Kerr, perhaps, was a little unlucky. He failed to get enough force of his bat on to the bail and topped it on to his boot and it fell on to the wicket.

Never at Ease Dempster never seemed to be at ease and his end came when he opened his shoulder to a slow bail from McMillan, and he was badly beaten by the bail which turned sharply in from leg. At this stage Cameron, the South African captain, gave the batsmen no chance to get the mastery of the bowling. He made a succession of rapid changes so that the. attack was greatly varied.

Bell, the fast bowler, was master of the attack. With machine like action he kept up a good speed and length throughout his 32 overs. The day was saved when Weir and Roberts became associated in a very useful partnership. Weir's exhibition of fighting qualities sh owing a rocklike defence. He waited with patience for loose balls, taking no chances. Roberts batteff with more confidence and more enterprise than anyone up to this stage, and was never uncertain. He went for the bowling, lifting the bail into the deep field on occasions and hooking and slamming to every boundary. If the field had been fast, his score would have been at least 70 runs or more. Page and Badcock stayed at the wicket for another good partnership. Page looked like being in for a really good score. He added 22, but mishit a bail from Morkel. James lasted only a few minutes. Cromb contented himself with keeping his wicket up while Badcock collected runs. The Otago professional set a merry pace, hitting three sixes and three fours. Always a free batsman, he was at his best. He gave two chances in succession just before he was dismissed. CleVerley and Newman made a surprisingly good stand, adding 24 for the last wicket. The Africans' ground fielding was magnificent. Page was given a round of applause when he walked to the crease and started by square cutting Vincent for a boundary. Africans' Opening Christie and Mitchell opened for South Africa. Christie was lucky when Badcock, a good fieldsman, failed to hold a catch at cover-point. Page tried four bowlers, Cleverley, Badcock, Newman and Blunt. Cromb was not tried. With the exception of Cleverley's first two overs, the New Zealand attack did not look dangerous. Scores : — NEW ZEALAND — First Innings — Dempster, b McMillan 8 Kerr, b Bell 0 Blunt, run out 23 Weir, c Mitchell, b Vincent ...... 46 Roberts, st Cameron, b Mitchell 54 Page, c Taylor, b McMillan ...... 22 Badcock, c Dalton, b Bell 64 James, c Cameron, b McMillan 3 Cromb, c Morkel^ b McMillan ...... 25 Cleverley, not out 10 Newman, c Balaskas, b Mitchell 19 Extras 19 Total 293 Bowling: Bell took two wickets for 64 runs; Quinn, none for 46; McMillan, four for 61; Vincent, one for 57; Balaskas, none for 15; Mitchell two for 31. SOUTH AFRICA — First Innings — Christie, not out 14 Mitchell, not out 13 Extras ...... 2 Total for no wickets , 29