TEST CRICKET

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 490, 25 March 1933, Page 5

TEST CRICKET

(Press Assn.-

M.C.C. CRICKET VISITORS BEGIN BADLY BUT CONCLUDE VIGOROUSLY HAMMOND'S D.OUBLE CENTURY

— By Telegraph — Copyrlght)

Christchurch, Friday. The test match began sensationally to-day. The redoubtable Sutcliffe was out first hall to Ba.dcock, and. his opening companion, Paynter was also bowled by Smith before he scored. The visitors had a taste of Apstralian conditions. The weather was ,hot with a - strong north-westerly ' breeze, and the wicket and outfield were jiard and fast. The attendance was estimated at 12,000 to 15,000 and the gate receipts £670. Jardine won the toss and the New Zealanders took the field. After the sensational opening when the score board read 4 — 2 — 0, Hammond and Wyatt proceeded to mako amends. Badcock played to keep runs down, but Smith's first three overs cost 18 runs. Newman replaced Sniith and six successive maidens were bowled, three by each bowler. Freeman presently relieved Newman, whose four overs had cost only two runs., , The partnership was brolcen when Wyatt called for a run for a hard drive, which Page stopped at mid-on. Hammond did not respond to the impossible call, and Wyatt losing his balance when he was turning- back was far out when the ball returned to the wicket, 46 — 3 — 20. _ _ Jardine was greeted with appl^use when he went out ' to bat. Bowling changes were made quiclcly,. Newman, Smith, Vivian and Badcock again .having turns. The batsmen played- the bowling, which was steady, tliou'gh not dangerous, with the utpiost care. The luncheon adjournment was taken with the total at 94', Haminond 38 and Jardine 31. . Badcock and Newman opened the bowling. One hundred runs came after 94 minutes play, and Hammond^ reached 50 in 108 minutes. Jardine's end came when he played forward, the ball swinging away,and James took a fine catch, at the, wicket, 133 — 4 — 45. . . Ames opened confidently. Both the bowling and the fielding had fallen below standard. L'ong hops from Newman were escaping the punishment they deserved, and the fielding at this stage was loose. A hundred and fifty runs came up after 134 minutes play. Hammond was now hitting with more vigour, rcaching the century in 160 minutes. Badcock Injured Badcock went off owing to a finger being injured when fielding a hot covev drive, and Cavanagh took his place* on the field. The bowling was now well collared. . . Ames reached 50 in 70 minutes. The total raced rapidly and at the tea adjournment the score was 267, Hammond 128, Ames 62. Three hundred was passed after 222 minutes, and a f ew strokes later Hammond was applauded in 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 Badeock, and four runs later Vivian clean bowled Ames, 372 — 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. An appeal against the Iight was upheld at 5.40 p.m. Scores : — England First Innings Sutcliffe, c James, b Badcock ... 0 Paynter, b Smith 0 Hammond, not out 223 Wyatt, run out 2Q Jardine, c James, b Badcock ...... - 45 Ames, b Vivian 103 Brown, not out 12 " . Extras ,.i ll& Total for five wickets 418