LATE CITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 281, 17 February 1928, Page 13

LATE CITY

Australian Team Plays Wellington BIG CRICKET TO-DAY PREMIER province engaged WELLINGTON, To-day. The cricket match between Welling- « A nd Australia opened at the Basin Reserve to-day in perfect weather, f ckson and McNamee stood down wax the Australian team. Richardson won the toss, and decided bat Woodfull and Ponsford, who noened to the bowling of McGirr and \iassey. A single came off McGirr’s first over. Ponsford scored the first hounardy by off-driving Massey to the fence, but McGirr’s next was a maiden to Woodfull. A couple more to Ponsford came off Massey, and in the next over Ponsford reached 10 with a boundary off McGirr. Soon afterwards Woodfull had a narrow escape spooning one from Massey Just over the bowler’s head- McGirr continued to bowl well and Ponsford credited him with a maiden. At noon the score was none for '5. With the total at 25, Badcock replaced Massey, and his first three overs were maidens. McGirr also kgut a good length, and runs came slowly. With the last ball of Badcock’s third over Woodfull lifted one dangerously near Dempster at cover. Ponsford reached 20 with a delightful snick to the fine-leg boundary. Badcock bowled his fourth maiden and was heartily applauded. In the next oyer, however. Ponsford pulled him for four and reached 30. PONSFORD GOES At 46 McLeod replaced McGirr and three came off the first over. Four to Woodfull brought 50 up, after 48 minutes’ play. Woodfull was now scoring with greater freedom, and reached 30 after an hour and 10 minutes’ play. With the total at 86 McGirr went on again in place of McLeod, but the change did not affect the batsmen, who appeared to be well set. Woodfull reached his half-century by snicking McGirr through the slips for four, and this also brought the total to 100, scored in 85 minutes. Price replaced Badcock (0-27). Ponsford reached 50 by driving a slow one from Brice to the fence. He had been at the crease for 95 minutes. He did not remain much longer, Brice bowling him with an off break. 122 —I—sß.1—58. Kippax was next, and opened by offdriving Brice to the boundary. Badcock replaced McGirr. bowling with the wind for the first time. Woodfull welcomed the change by square-cut-ting the bowler to the fence. Brice was keeping the batsmen fairly quiet, and he had Kippax puzzled once or twice. At the luncheon adjournment Australia had scored 153 for the loss of one wicket. Scores:— AUSTRALIA First Innings. PONSFORD, b Brice .. 58 WOODFULL,, not out 79 KIPPAX, not out 11 Extras .. 5 EX Total for one wicket 153 MATCH AT NELSON FIRST GAME DRAWN VISITORS BAT ALL DAY Press Association. NELSON, Thursday. The match between Nelson and the Australian cricketers was concluded to-day. The game ended in a draw. When stumps were drawn the visitors had made 472 for nine wickets. The weather was perfect and the wicket, which played well throughout, was faster than on the first day. The visitors, who were more concerned with obtaining practice than winning, were at the crease all day. Ponsford (24) and Kippax (22) resumed batting this morning. Both Quickly got going and the rate of scoring was considerably faster than on the first day. The partnership produced 194 by classical cricket, which "as a treat to watch. The century "as knocked up in 96 minutes, wherea3 yesterday the visitors took 70 minutes to make 65. Ponsford was the first to go, being caught at square*leg after making 86. kippax went soon after with the first century of the tour to his credit. The only chance each batsman gave was early in the innings. Both were at the ertas® about 2J hours. Itichardson proved a strong, crisp hitter, while Schneider, in spite of his ‘‘tek of size, gave a most attractive display. Ths innings closed at 5.50 p.m., with nine wickets down for 472. The match was drawn. Scores:— NELSON First Innings 161 AUSTRALIA First Innings. *bw, b Hope 9 c Neale, b Hope .. .. St» c Kenzett, b Searell .. 115 ?pt,?£ RDS °N, c Hope, b Kenzett 47 rrJJNBiDER, c Neale, b Kenzett .. 53 c Kenzett. b Neale .... 72 r-D?PJ ELI> * c Kemnitz, b Hope .... 0 MIIMMETT, st Max, b Kenzett .. 24 NORTON, b Eden 7 not out 11 HcNAMEE, not out .. .. .. •• •• .. 23 Extras 25 Total for nine wickets .. .. 472 ft —Hope, 3-117; N. Newman, ill Searell, 1-60: Hawkes, 0-69; Taylor, 3-65 eale » 1-25; Eden, 1-25; Kenzett,