Good For Wellington!

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 282, 18 February 1928, Page 13

Good For Wellington!

Australian Cricketers Start Well, But Later Batsmen Fail

WOODFULL’S RUN-GETTING MARATHON

WELLINGTON’S claim to rank as the premier cricketing centre of the Dominion was further proved yesterday when, in its first real trial of strength in New Zealand, the powerful Australian batting side was dismissed for 375 runs. Although Woodfull gave his side a great start, the later stages of the Australian innings were perilously close to a rout.

(Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Friday

But for a dour, determined innings by that run-getting machine, W. M. Woodfull, Australia would have been dismissed for quite a moderate score by Wellington to-day. Conditions were excellent when the match started, and on winning the toss from Stan Brice, Vic. Richardson had no hesitation in deciding to bat. Considering that it was an “off” day, the attendance at the match was surprisingly good. Over 4,000 people were present in the afternoon, the “gate” amounting to £225. Right up to the tea adjournment in the afternoon it looked as if "Wellington was in for a couple of days' leather-hunting. Woodfull and Ponsford gave the side a great start, the “Old Firm” putting on 122 for the first wicket. Two wickets then fell cheaply, but when Schneider, the stocky little South Australian, joined Woodfull the runs went mounting up until the third century was reached with only three wickets down. A “ROT” SETS IN

The "Woodfull-Schneider partnership realised 114 runs, but with the dismissal of Woodfull after tea, the rest of the side collapsed, and Australia was all out for 375. Badcock and Lowry rattled through the tail in double quick fashion.

With 40 minutes left to play, Wellington again did well, Dempster and Foley still being together when stumps were drawn for the day with a useful 42 on the board.

Summing up the day’s play, it was highly gratifying from the Wellington viewpoint. To have got an international side out for less than 400 was a great tribute to the calibre of the Wellington attack, and the visitors will have to be right on their game to get the strong Wellington side out for a smaller score. COLT'S BRIGHT DISPLAY

Schneider gave by far the best exhibition of the visiting batsmen. This 18-year-old youth showed all the dash and vigour that is associated with a champion left-hander, and he batted with the masterly skill of a veteran Me is only a small chap, but he has all the shots and is not afraid to step out to the bowling. Woodfull was as slow as a funeral in the early stages, and it took him h <>urs to get his 165. Midway through his innings he livened up, and from then on till he got out he played sound, solid cricket, with an occasional dash, of brilliance. SOUND TACTICS , The only wicket Brice got was Ponsord s - but ii was a valuable capture, as the Victorian pair looked as if they were just getting nicely into their stride for another of their recordbreaking opening partnerships. Ponsford displayed masterly form while he was at the crease, but like Woodfull, was content to “hasten slowly.” For an opening pair, however, their tactics were sound, and any feeling of disaPPUnJ:m,en*, ln the visitors’ batting must be laid at the door of the rest of ™ ,2I de i. sever al of them among the worlds best, who failed badly to take Vict!?* ase of 1116 Start the two \ ictorians gave the side.

Badcock was the mainstay of the Wellington attack. The ex-English professor of cricket had all the batsmen watching him carefully, and even woodfull had one or two narrow escapes in the early stages of his innings. After tea Badcock was deadly. Considering that Lowry is In much the same category as Dacre as a

breaker of partnerships, it was surprising - that Brice did not ask him on sooner. He was the last of nine owlers tried.

Wellington Batting DEMPSTER OPENS WELL

AUSTRALIANS PLAY (From Our Oxen Correspondent)

The match was continued this morning in hot weather. Foley (6), and Dempster (27) continued the Wellington innings against the bowling o£ Oxenliam and Blackie. Dempster beautifully square-cut Blackie to the boundary. Grimmett replaced Oxennam after one over. Dempster appeared confident, but Foley was shaky to Blackie. The scoring was very slow, and fifty appeared after 51 minutes play, Dempster placed Grimmett prettily for ! a late cut for two. Foley leg-glanced Blackie to the boundary and ran into double figuress Dempster was still playing sound, crisp shots and oFley slashed Grimmett thorugh covers to the fence. Both batsmen were going for the slow bowler and Foley was showing better form. Twice the ball went through the visiting fieldsmen. Foley drove Grimmett to the off boundary and brought his score to 20. At 76 Morton replaced Blackie, who went on against the wind, relieving Grimmett- Dempster reached 50 with a smartly run single after 80 minutes at the crease. Blackie changed to round the wicket, with a well set leg trap. It was suc- • cessful, Dempster swiping round into j the trap, where Grimmett took a splenI did catch. 81—1—52. i Lowry took strike and Foley almost put one back to Blackie. Lowry was getting forward to Morton, but was unable to get the ball through the field. At 90 Oxenham spelled Morton. The detailed scores are as follow: AUSTRALIA

First Innings. PONSFORD, b Brice WOODFULL, c McGirr, b Badcock. . 165 KIPPAX, c McGirr, b McLeod . . . . 26 RICHARDSON, b Lambert SCHNEIDER, c Brice, b Badcock . OXEN HAM. run out * 7 '- ALEXANDER, c Lowry, b Badcock . , 1 GRIMM ETT, lbw, b Lowry BLACKIE, c and b Lowry Extras .. Bowling.—Badcock, 4-82; Lowry, 2-49; McLeod, 1-46; Brice, 1-64; Lambert, 1-12; McGirr, 0-55; Massey, 0-35; Dempster, 0-19; Foley, 0-6. WELLINGTON First Innings. FOLEY, not out Extras Total.for no wickets .