M.C.C. FIGHTS FOR RUNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 893, 10 February 1930, Page 11

M.C.C. FIGHTS FOR RUNS

Four Wickets Dovm for 176

DULEEPSINHJI’S FINE DISPLAY Auckland in Strong Position TWO of the world’s greatest batsmen, F. E. Woolley and K. S. Duleepsinhji were seen in action at Eden Park this morning when England continued its first innings against Auckland, facing the home side’s first innings total of 333, The stars became associated when two wickets had fallen for 35 runs, and set about in a masterful fashion to place the visitors in the ascendant. Duleepsinhji was run out at lunch, when Woolley attempted to run a hard single and three wickets were down for 141. With four of its best wickets down for 145 runs, the English cricket team had to fight hard for runs against Auckland at Eden Park this afternoon. In the morning Duleepsinhji and "Woolley were associated in a masterful third-wicket partnership which placed the visitors in a good position. The Indian was run out just before lunch, however, after as fine a 69 as one could wish to see, and Woolley followed him home shortly after the resumption, well caught in the slips by Weir off Elliott, for 49 runs.

The Auckland weather was still on Its best behaviour, and with the wind now blowing from the north a sultry day in the field was promised for Auckland when it took the field this morning against the M.C.C. at Eden Park. The wicket appeared to be wearing well. The attendance was approximately 1,000 when play began. Promptly at 11.30 a.m. Allcott led the Auckland team on to the field, to be followed by England’s opening pair, E. H. Bowley (7 not out) and Bawson (1 not out). The visitors’ score was nine for none when stumps- were drawn on Saturday afternoon. BOUNDARY TO BOWLEY

Bawson took strike to A. M. Matheson, who opened the Auckland attack from the terrace end. The first four balls were well on the off, and the batsman was content to leave them alone. Tho over was a maiden, and then A. F. Wensley came on at the other end, Bowley being the batsman, .The Sussex man commenced immediately in his usual forceful fashion, and got the fourth ball of the over away sweetly to tho fine leg fence. There was no further score during the over. “ DULEEP ” AT THE WICKET Bawson was dismissed off the first, ball of Matlieson’s second over, when ho flicked one high into the slips for Wensley to take a fine catch high up. The Englishman had failed to add to liis overnight score. The scoreboard then read 13—1—1. A round of sustained applause greeted the appearance of K. 3. Duleepsinhji at the batting crease. Bowley was then 11 not out. The Indian played out the remainder of the over without opening his score. Bowley drove Wensley powerfully to the off, but smart fielding by the Auckland skipper, Allcott, kept him from getting the ball away. DULEEPSINHJI OPENS Tho over was a maiden. There had been only on© scoring shot in four overs—Bowley’s boundary. Buleepsinhji’s first scoring shot came immediately after. It was a shot for which he is famed, a leg glance which went away for two. With effortless strokes he put on two more braces off successive balls, Matheson being the bowler. The last three balls of the over “Smithy” was content to block out. The scoring for the next few overs was very subdued, but Buleepsinhji found holes in the field time after time, and put on the runs in singles at frequent intervals. Every shot of his was a scoring and the running of the pair

between the wickets must have been an object lesson to cricketing onloookers. After 25 minutes’ play England’s total stood at one wicket for 26, Bowley 13 not out and Buleepsinhji 10 not out. The attendance had now increased to approximately 2,000. WENSLEY COMMANDS RESPECT The batsmen, however, were both treating Wensley with much respect, and consequently three of his first eight overs were maidens. Gillespie shone out repeatedly for smart work at cover-point. Buleepsinhji passed Bowley’s score when he punched Wensley for four—the Indian artist’s first boundary. That made his tally 17 after he had been batting for just over 20 minutes. The side’s total was then 34. Bowley resumed scoring again with a single to the off, from Matheson. Bowley did not last much longer, however, for he pulled Wensley round to leg to see Finiayson take a safe catch. The former Auckland coach had scored 15, Buleepsinhji being 17 not out when his mate departed. Bowley had not played very attractive cricket this morning. ADVENT OF WOOLLEY Frank Woolley, the tall, graceful Kent left-hander, then joined the Indian and the spectators sat back in anticipation of the -pertnership of the match eventuating. Woolley scored a four off the first over he received from Matheson. Betails: Both bowlers were trundling steadily and only 40 runs had been added to the total after 50 minutes’ play this morning. Buleepsinhji entered the mid-twenties with a well-placed out, which left the slips standing and went on to rattle the pickets.

Woolley then hooked Wensley for four, and cn-drove him for two off the next ball. The left-hander was then 14, and the total 60, The scoring rate had livened up considerably, so Allcott made the first bowling change, taking over himself from Matheson, who had taken one wicket for 27. Five came off the over, three being to Woolley’s credit as the result of an on-drive. WOOLLEY SCORES FREELY The batsmen were now becoming masters of the situation, with Woolley slightly the more aggressive of the two. He soon entered the twenties, and a four off Wensley took him to 29 —one run more than Buleepsinhji. Woolley often left the fieldsmen wondering and the apparent ease with which he made his runs greatly pleased the crowd. Duleepsinhji was not bustling hinnself, but he displayed occasional flashes cf brilliance, which brought runs every time. Anthony took over from Wensley \ v

when the total was f!4. The coach had taken one wicket for 40. Buleepsinhji on-drove his first delivery for one, and then Woolley sent him away for a brace. Buleepsinhji now took the offensive, and headed off Woolley’s tally. FIRST CENTURY UP The first century appeared when Woolley straight-drove Allcott to the chalk. England had then been batting for 90 minutes and the time was 12.50. Buleepsinhji found Anthony to his liking, and now opened out in front of the wicket, putting a power into his shots which he had not done previously. The batsmen appeared to be set for the day, and the Auckland fielders had to work hard. The Indian reached his half-century with a pull to the fence off Anthony. Woolley. was then 45, and the M.C.C.’s total 120. M.'atheson came back vice Allcott, but the score continued to mount steadily. Buleepsinhji Aad scored his half-century in 80 minutes. The double bowling change was completed when Finiayson made his first appearance, in place of Anthony, who had had 21 runs scored off him. But Buleepsinhji was now playing in his true inimitable manner, and England, with only two wickets down, had left, Auckland’s third wicket score well behind. Woolley, on the other hand, however, had quietened down, and did not add to his 45 in four successive overs. DULEEPSINHJI OUT Cheers rent the air as Buleepsinhji was run out just before lunch for 69. The dusky batsman received an ovation as the teams filed off for lunch. He had not disappointed the spectators, his innings being one which will be long remembered. England, at lunch, had three wickets down for 141 (Woolley 45 not out).

FIGHT FOR RUNS

THIS AFTERNOGN’S PLAY

With three of their best batsmen back in the pavilion, the M.C.C. side had a long way to go to overhaul Auckland when play was resumed at 2.4 p.m. Finiayson completed liis over to Worthington, and then Elliott came, on to bowl to Woolley. His second ball was dispatched to the fence, but the next one brought about the Kent man’s downfall when Weir accepted a good catch from the .slips. Four wickets were down for 145, Woolley’s contribution being 49. The crowd had now increased to 3,000 and was still growing in dimensions. Benson was the incomer and he opened with a single and a square-cut for two, the latter shot off Finiayson. SCORING VERY SLOW

The scoring now lapsed, two maidens being bowled in succession, one by each bowler. A section of the crowd cheered ironically at every single scored, and there were not very many of them. The visitors, however, were right in refusing to take any undue

risks. "Worthington relieved the monotony with a straight drive for four oIT Elliott. Finlayson was bowling well from the stand crease, sending down another maiden to Worthington. The score passed into the fifties of the second century by slow degrees, with maiden overs recurring frequency.

Worthington entered double iigures with a four off Finlayson. The crowd called repeatedly for Weir to be brought on.

McCoy was the next new bowler tried by Allcott and his initial over contributed one single to Worthington’s tally. The Auckland men’s ground fielding was good and the batsmen were still finding it hard to get runs. At 2.45, England had 176 runs on for the last of four wickets. (Worthing - ton, not out, 19; Benson, not out, 11). Details:—■

PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

WELLINGTON MEN TO PLAY AUCKLAND Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. The Wellington Plunket Shield team to meet Auckland, -will be picked from Dempster, Lowry, McGirr, James, I-lollings, Airey, Foley, Henderson Mackenzie, McLeod, Cameron, Massey Baker, Ward, and Blundell..

AUCKLAND First innings MILLS, c Woolley, b Allom 6 AX PHONY, c Cornford, b Bowley . . 43 GILLESPIE, c Cornford, b Barratt 38 WENSLEY, c Woollev, b Bowley . . 12 ALLCOTT, Ibw, b Woolley WEIR, run out . 77 ELLIOTT, b Worthington . 11 McCOY, b Woolley MATHESON, b Worthington 0 1'INLAYSON, b Barratt BADE LEY, not out Extras Total Fall of wickets-: 23, S3, IIS, 137, 226, 256, 25S, 262, 262, 284, 333. BOWLING ANALYSIS O. M. W. Allom 23 6 J 51 Barratt 25.5 S 2 Bowley . . • 3 2 3 2 Worthington .... 25 7 2 73 Woolley 20 3 2 S3 ENGLAND First Innings. DAWSON, c Wensley, b Mathesoi BOWLEY, c Finlayson, b Wensley . D1 r LEEPSINHJI, run oxit WOOLLEY, c Weir, b Elliott .. . WORTHINGTON, not out BENSON, not out Extras ., . 12 Four wickets for . 176