TEST CRICKET SURPRISES: CLUB SEASON FINISHED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 319, 2 April 1928, Page 6

TEST CRICKET SURPRISES: CLUB SEASON FINISHED

Grimmett Again !

TEST MATCH DEBACLE Australia in Trouble, Too BETWEEN five and six thousand spectators were treated to an afternoon of thrilling and unexpected incidents in the second test at Dunedin on Saturday. New Zealand’s dramatic collapse after a favourable opening, before the brilliant bowling of Grimmett, was followed by the spectacular dismissal of four of Australia’s best batsmen in the closing stages of the game. (Special to '"HE SUN)

DUNEDIN, Saturday. The wicket for the second test match, which began to-day, was a good haru Carisbrook wicket, a trifle on the slow side at the start, but improving rapidly, and giving the bowlers no assistance to speak of. But the outfield was heavy and damp after the light rain of the previous night, and this undoubtedly slowed down a number of hits that would otherwise have gone to the boundary. On the other hand, the greasy ball considerably handicapped the bowlers, who operated during the morning session. All things considered, the exceedingly slow rate of scoring—60 runs in 100 minutes —was scarcely justified. Both Mills and Dempster, while making many attractive shots, seemed afraid to put full power behind them, consequently when they did not go direct to a man they were easily cut off. Mills was particularly ineffective, and though he brought off a number of pretty shots to line leg and down the gully, he took 74 minutes to make 17. and none of his scoring strokes realised more than two runs. Even so, lie was so stylish that very few noticed how slow he had been. Dempster scored a bit faster, and played attractively also. He stayed 90 minutes at the crease, and hit three fours. A FINE PARTNERSHIP The Foley-Blunt partnership was the best of the innings, adding 78 for the third wicket. The Otago man was at his best, and his graceful batting won high praise. He was the only one on the side who during the afternoon played Grimmett with confidence, .and he succeeded in knocking the South Australian off his length for a time. His timing was excellent on both sides of the wicket, and his halfcentury took him 82 minutes to compile, as compared with Foley’s 24 in 102 minutes. Nevertheless the latter’s innings was a valuable one, and, after lie had survived a rather shaky opening, a sound one. His best stroke was the cover hit, but in no way could he compare with the stylish left-hander, Mills. ANOTHER LEFT-HANDER Hamilton, the third left-hander, was .iust beginning to get busy when he drove one hard back, and was out when 130 was on the board, and only two out. Prospects were then bright for New Zealand, but soon afterwards Grimmett, who had up to then taken one for 40, came back to the crease, and started the procession. His fellow-Australians declare that the little googly merchant has rarely bowled better, and certainly he had every batsman puzzled.

Badcock, of course, was his, this time he bowled the Wellington man through his legs, while his bat was poised aimlessly in the air. Lowry was misesd behind the sticks off him. but hit the ball to mid-on, and was out. McGirr made a mighty smite at a full toss,, and landed it into Kippax’s hands at very deep leg. James, in turning him to leg, trod on his wicket, and Read hadino chance with one which came back ttully 18 inches, and as quick as a fiasll. great Fowling In this last speli ; .of bowling, Grimm'ett took five wickets for seven runs, or six for 47 in all, in 28 overs, of which 11 were maidens. Oxenham put up a fine performance

also, for he never sent down a loose ball in all his 31 overs, 16 of which were maidens. Like Grimmett, he kept a wonderful length, and he varied his pace cleverly. He is the type of bowler who will be useful in long-drawn-out tests in Australia. Blackie, who slightly injured his leg in the first test last week, was not bowled much, while McNamee did not trouble the batsmen to any extent. The Australians’ fielding was keen, and clean, and at times brilliant. Richardson’s catch which disposed of Blunt was a beauty, the ball going hard and low to square leg. Kippax, Blackie, and Oxenham also brought off good catches. Oldfield kept well, though he put a couple of hard chances on the floor. , DICKINSON GETS PONSFORD The crowd became worked up when Ponsford, Kippax, Schneider, and Woodfull went for small scores. The great record-breaker was bowled with a beauty from Dickinson. Kippax put a bumpy one tamely into Blunt’s hands at second slip, and Schneider and Woodfull both drew the ball into their wickets. Dickinson was bowling at top pace, and making them bump dangerously, when he strained his groin, and had to limp off. This was bad luck for New Zealand, but Read and McGirr carried on manfully, both full of vim, and likely to get a wicket at any time.

An appeal for light at 5.30 was unsuccessful, but another a few minutes later succeeded, the game being left in a highly interesting state. The attendance was between 5,000 and 6,000. and the gate £349.