N.Z.’S FIGHT TO SAVE FOLLOW-ON

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 905, 24 February 1930, Page 11

N.Z.’S FIGHT TO SAVE FOLLOW-ON

♦ Last Cricket Test Resumed STAND BY LOWRY AND McGIRR WHEN the fourth and final cricket Test match of the present series, England v. New Zealand, was resumed at Eden Park this morning, the Dominion batsmen put up a hard fight to avert a follow-on. To do so they had to score 3SO runs in reply to England’s score of 540. Allcott and Weir were dismissed early this morning, the former run out by Lowry and the latter bowled by Barratt. Tom Lowry and H. M. McGirr, the Wellington stalwarts, then became associated in a fine, fighting partnership which went a long way to the New Zealand goal. There was little prospect at an early hour this afternoon of the match being- anything but a draw.

A light shower fell 10 minutes before piay was scheduled to commence, and as there had been others last night this morning the wicket and outfield was damp on top. The sky was clouded over, but with a light south-westerly blowing general weather conditions promised to be fair. At stumps on Saturday New Zealand had four wickets down for 174 runs, the not out batsmen being G. L. Weir 59 and C. F. W. Allcott 21. Play commenced promptly at 11.30, M. S. Nichols reopening the English attack from the terrace end. Weir took first strike, and the fast man’s first delivery was no-balled. The Eden colt forced his sec<**d to leg for a single and then AllcotS faced Nichols. RUNS COME SLOWLY

Cilligan completed his change-over to a fast-medium attack by bringing Barratt on in place of Bowley. McGirr cut him for two, first ball. At 3 2.40 New Zealand’s score was 239 for six wickets. Lowry, not out, 20. McGirr, not out, 22. The batsmen had now their backs to the wall in the best fighting fashion and runs came slowly. Singles predominated, but play was relieved with occasional fours. McGirr had a fortunate let-off when Cornford caught him behind the wickets, off Allom. but dropped the ball just as the English appeal rent th© air. McGirr v* r as then 25 and was playing a much more attractive innings than lie had done earlier. Lowry continued to bat slowly but solidly, and entered the twenties shortly after McGirr. FINE PARTNERSHIP ENSUES McGirr continued to bat more than his captain, and reached 30, while Lowry took his total to 23. Bowley came back in place of Barratt, and Lowry straight-drove him for two. The batsmen livened up just before lunch and ran. two where previously they had been content with singles, and the total went along to within sight of .the third century. Lowry and McGirr had added 90 runs to New Zealand’s total, a partnership w T hich meant a lot where th© side had been faced with the remote possibility of suffering an innings defeat. At lunch New Zealand had six •wickets down for 266 runs. , A single off Ba.rratt’s next over to Lowry took New Zealand’s score to 270. The scoring was very slow for tho opening overs-, the batsmen endeavouring to play themselves in again after the adjournment. THIS AFTERNOON’S PLAY WEATHER HOT AND SULTRY Requiring 124 more runs to avert a follow-on, New Zealand’s first innings was continued after the adjournment at 2 p.m. by Lowry and McGirr. The weather was still threatening and atmospheric conditions were hot and sultry. The attendance had grown considerably by the afternoon session, there being approximately 3,000 present. Barratt took up th© English attack, bowling from the Dominion Road end to Lowry. The batsman did not score off the over. Nichols was the other bowler, sending down a good fast ball to McGirr. • A single came off the last ball. PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED Nichols kept much more accurate length and directions after lunch, and with Barratt very accurate also, the batsmen found it difficult to get the balls away. Singles came occasionally to both batsmen, McGirr entering the 40’s Shortly after resumption. Lowry was still scoring at a slower rate than this partner, having 29 when McGirr was 42. The batsmen were barracked by tho crowd for slow scoring, but that did not improve their form. Lowry cut Nichols for two and New Zealand’s total reached 284. Details; ENGLAND First innings 540 NEW ZEALAND First innings MILLS, c Duleepsinhji, b Allom .. 12 DEMPSTER, c Cornford, b Allom . . 27 PAGE, c Cornford, b Woolley . . .. 25 BLUNT, b Nichols 0 WEIR, b Barratt 63 ALLCOTT, run out 33 LOWRY, not out 28 McGIRR, not out 39 Extras 46 Six wickets for 273

Mounds of sawdust appeared at both ends of the wicket for the use of the bowlers. Allcott cut Nichols’s fourth ball for two, and repeated the stroke next delivery. The attendance numbered several hundred when play was commenced. Barratt Abowled from the Dominion Road end, and an all-team nppeal for caught behind went in Weir’s favour off the first ball the Notts man sent down. Weir played out the remainder of the over with- , out scoring. Nichols made plenty of pace off the wicket, but Allcott scored freely off him. After the first 10 minutes’ play New Zealand’s total had been carried to 180, Allcott then being 25 and Weir 60. The Essex speed merchant’s second over contributed two to the total, a single to each batsman. Barratt appeared to be bowling somewhat slower than usual, but he was much more accurate than Nichols, and only one run resulted from his first two overs. The batsmen played themselves in with th© utmost caution against keen bowling and a field which was on its toes all the time. Both bowlers sent down plenty of off stuff, but the batsmen were content to leave it alone for the most part. Weir executed several fine glances off Barratt. After 20 minutes’ play 10 runs had been added to tho Dominion total. BARRATT BOWLS WELL

Weir, who had again played in his best form, was beaten by a perfectlength ball from Barratt which beat his bat and took away his leg pin. He had batted 174 minutes in all for his 63 runs—an effort which to some extent extricated New Zealand from an awkward position on Saturday. The total was 186 when Weir departed, Allcott being 27 not out.

Tom Lowry was next man in, playing out the remainder of the over from Barratt. Woolley had been brought on vice Nichols just before Weir departed, to bowl a maiden in his initial effort. Allcott opened out