Dramatic Collapse

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 73, 17 June 1927, Page 1

Dramatic Collapse

N.Z. BOWLERS’ HARVEST LEICESTER NEARLY FOLLOWS ON INTERESTING CRICKET NEW ZEALAND, with an advantage of 129 on its first innings against Leicestershire, failed to produce hatting form in the second innings, and at stumps on the second day nine wickets were down for 165. Page, with a score of 65, was the only man to make a useful stand. Leicestershire made a powerful start in its first innings and the score, at one stage, was 137 for one wicket. Then came a dramatic change—six wickets fell for 27 runs, and there came a struggle on the county’s part to avoid a followon. Henderson and Blunt were the bowlers responsible for the debacle. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright.

Reed. 8 a.m. LONDON, Thursday. In brilliant weather, a day reminiscent of the zenith of an Antipodean summer, the Leicestershire opening batsmen relished the fast billiard table wicket and treated the bowling ruthlessly. The partnership yielded 94 before Blunt caught Berry in two minds. Then Shipman and Armstrong carried on till there came a dramatic change from one for 137 to seven for 164 before lunch time. At one stage four wickets fell for four runs in as many overs. The batting became a struggle to avoid a follow-on. The ninth wicket fell with still three runs short. Henderson bowled superbly and Lowry was wicket-keeping in place of James, who was indisposed. The attendance was 1,200. Leicestershire averted the follow on by a short margin, thanks to Henderson’s and Blunt’s splendid bowling. The New Zealand second innings did not open well. Blunt and Lowry were soon out, but Page made a fine effort. His 65, including 11 fours, improved matters. Allcott also hit brightly.

The following are the scores: LEICESTERSHIRE First Innings Berry, c and b Blunt 37 Shipman, c James, b Henderson .. 62 Armstrong, c Lowry, b Henderson 41 Bradshaw, c Blunt, b Henderson.. 8 Astill, c Lowry, b Henderson .... 4 Sidwell, b Blunt 0 Fowke, c Blunt, b Allcott ...... 29 Smith, c and b Blunt .. 0 Bale, c Page, b Henderson 24 Snary, not out 8 Skelding, st Lowry, b Blunt .... 6 Extras 23 242 Bowling: Henderson, five wickets for 76 runs; Blunt, four for 53; McGirr, none for 31; Allcott, one for 32; Dacre, none for 3. NEW ZEALAND First Innings 371 Second Innings R. C. Blunt, lbw, b Skelding .... 12 T. C. Lowry, b Skelding 1 C. S. Dempster, c Sidwell, b Snary 19 M. L. Page, c sub., b Smith .. .. 65 J. E. Mills, b Armstrong 18 C. C. Dacre, b Smith 5 H. McGirr, b Smith 0 C. F. Allcott, c sub., b Snary .... 35 K. C. James, lbw, b Shipman .... 6 W. E. Merritt, not out 0 M. Henderson, not out .. 0 Extras 4 Total for nine wickets . . .. 165 —A. and N.Z.