NEW ZEALAND CRICKET IS ON THE MAP AT LORDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 76, 21 June 1927, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND CRICKET IS ON THE MAP AT LORDS

BATTING VERY SOLID—BUT SLIP-FIELDING UNEXPECTEDLY FAILS—MISSED CATCHES LOSE THE GAME—TEAM MAKES NEW RECORD FOR THREE-DAYS’ MATCH ON FAMOUS GROUND

-Mid-ofJ” writes the following | exclusive graphic description of the Sew Zealand eleven opening matches in England. /'"kUR first match of the tour took place at Holyport, a country place just about thirty miles out from London. We played a team picked by a Mr. Martineau, who has hts own ground. The ground Itself was like a green carpet, and all surrounded by beautiful trees. In this team of Mr. Martineaus were some of our old M.C.C. chums, who came over to New Zealand with Mr. MacLaren’s side. Colonel Hartley and Colon«il Wilkinson. We had a most enjoyable game there and with any luck at all we should have won our first game by an innings, but weak slip-fielding let us down. Our bowling was fair but patch: . We broke all records by scoring 58 J odd runs in a two-days' match, thanks to a fine stand by Blunt and Mills, who put on 188 runs for the first wicket. J lacre came along with a merrv hundred, compiled in one hour. One of his sixes was the biggest seen on the ground. Ail the remaining batsmen got runs in good fashion, and soon we had got to-gether that tidy total of 580. Before passing over from this match, I would like to state the hundred made by our old friend Colonel Wilkinson was a fine knock, and received a round of applause from the team. BIG DAY AHEAD After the game we had the usual functions, and ended up by having a ,lance given in our honour, but most of the boys were a little shy and gradually the party grew smaller; we all wanted a good night's sleep, as we had a big game before us next day with the M.C.C. at Lord’s. This team I believe was the best side the M.C.C. could put against us, and I was told that with one exception this side was fit to represent the Gentlemen of England. The weather was all that could he desired, and the luck went against us with the toss. We took the field in the hope of putting New Zealand on the map at Lord’s, which we did, and everyone of the spectators went away quite pleased with our playOur fielding in the slips was atrocious. no fewer than six catches being dropped; but the light was difficult, and our old friend Archie McLaren told me that there are excuses for dropped catches at Lord's. He says It takes three years to know the ground—and I quite believe him. The surroundings are all against good fielding. We did very well in getting the M.C.C. out for 380 on a good wicket. With the missed chances the Englishmen should have made somewhere round about 150. Titchmarsh had a good knock for 170, but Page missed a sixer in the slips before he had made 10. A GOOD START We opened our innings with Mills and Blun and had got 50 on the board without loss, when stumps were drawn. Next morning we had a good start, and carried the score to 80, when Mills went. He showed signs of his usual free style. Page and Dempster did not stay long, and we were getting in a bad way. With Blunt still in, and James getting a few singles, we managed to get the hundred mark. Then Blunt went out to a rising ball, and w-e were now 106 for 4 wickets. Blunt scored a fine 50 and earned rounds of applause for his on-play. Not to be denied, Daere and James became associated in a partnership that put on 80 runs, and also tired the bowling. With 100 runs on the board, James was out 1.b.w.. after a valuable innings for 30. Lowry and Daere now became asso■ociated and things began to move along. Daere carted Calthorpe for five 4 s In succession, and Lowry was not Idle.

These two batsmen gave a taste of real batting, an soon bowler after bowler was tried, but without success. It was great cricket to watch, and L)ac-re reached his century in an h >ur, hitting 20 fours. He has the honour to be the first New Zealander to make a hundred at Lord’s. After Daere had departed, by being caught in the long-field. McGirr came on the scene and thumped the tired bowling. Lowry reached his hundred —and what a great innings it was. His drives were something in themselves, some of the fieldsmen not attempting to stop them. With the total at 400 Merrett came in and scored a well-earned 40. McGirr carried his total to 58 not out, and our grand total was 465 —a very good performance, and sixty runs ahead on the first innings. A WEAK ATTACK With this fine showing and the match meaning much to the success of the tour, we took the field next day very high.-spirited; but we had a big task in front of us to dismiss this side so cheaply again. I was very surprised at our captain not keeping the game tight—as the saying goes. Being on top in the first innings was a big thing, but Lowry seemd to lack control of the situation and opened the second innings with his slow bowlers and of course the score rose very rapidly, and a hundred runs appeared on the board in less than an hour’s play. Lyons and Titchmarsh batted very freely and carried the first wicket to

150 before they were separated. With one wicket down for 150, and Ashton and Allen in, our fast bowlers were not bowled enough. The consequence was the fielders had a busy time trying to keep down the runs. It looked as if the M.C.C. might turn a first innings defeat into a good win, but when Chapman came in and took 22 off one of Page’s overs, Douglas decided to close the innings in the hope of getting us out. With three and a-half hours to bat and the wicket not too good, it looked as if we might be in a bad way. Mills and Blunt opened. Mills did not stay long. James and Blunt were now associated and once Blunt got into his stride we had 30 on the board in os many minutes. James, however, soon had his stump rooted out by Allen, and Page did not stay long. Three wickets were down and the wicket not improving. Daere joined Blunt, who was nearing his 50. Daere started off in merry style, only to see Blunt go and four wickets were down for 106. Lowry came to the rescue .of his side, and played a fine innings. With Lowry and Daere together runs began to mount, but these two batsmen were in to stay and cut into valuable time. After Daere had reached the thirties he had his stump removed by Falconer, and five were down for 150. Dempster came next and played a fine saving innings with his captain. Lowry was 60 odd not out and Dempster 29, and stumps were drawn, as the light was bad. So a good game finished with the team fighting off defeat.