M.C.C. TOUR

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 397, 2 April 1937, Page 2

M.C.C. TOUR

MATCH AT AUCKLAND. Combined Team’s Poor First Innings. Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, April 1. After a good start the M.C.C. team the Auckland-Wellington combined side slumped badly in the match commenced to-day. The side was dismissed for 183. The opening batsmen for the combined team, Whitelaw and Postles, gave the side a splendid start, compiling 76 runs for the first wicket. The batsmen were favoured by an easy pitch in the early stages, which made the English fast howlers comparatively ineffective. However, the opening batsmen played safe and productive cricket, and it was unfortunate that the advantage) they gave the side was lost by the later basmen. Sale played a confident innings for 36, but the remaining players made a very poor showing. A feature of the innings was a splendid display by Whitelaw, who opened and carried his ba.t for 99. He faced the strong English attack with confidence and revealed a wide range of shots. The last two Combined wickets fell before he could complete his century. A brilliant exhibiti >n of flighting and good-length spin bowling was given by Verity, who took four wickets for 64 runs. He was the most troublesome bowler cn the day. England commenced its innings confidently, Wyatt and Worthington raising 56 for the loss of no wickets. Verity, the left-hander, was the most successful of the M.C.C. bowlers. Clever flighting and spin and almost immaculate length proved him well worthy of the great reputation he has made. His clever disguise of a faster ball was a feature, and his easy delivery made it apparent how he could bowl for long period s unchanged. It was one of the best exhibitions of trundling seen at the ground. Verity bowled 24 overs, nine of them maidens, for 64 runs and four wickets. The wicket did not suit the fast bowlers, Fames and Copson, who early made a few rises awkwardly but not dangerously. With 65 minutes to bat Wyatt and Worthington opened quietly but confidently for M.C.C. against the steady attack of Simpson and Matheson. Wyatt played some excellent all-round shots, while both batsmen were particularly strong on the on side. The total at stumps was 56 for no wickets, Wyatt having 30 and Worthington 19. The English team’s fielding was excellent, Hardstaff on the boundary showing out for splendid saves and returns, while Bey land did great work in the covers. Duckworth gave a neat and finished exhibition behind the wickets. The scores are: A U C K.L A ND-WBUL INTON. First Innings. Whitelaw, not out 99 Postles, b Fames 24 Ell, 1.b.w., new rule, b Sims .... 1 Sale, b Verity 36 Bush, 1.b.w., b Sims 0 Hook, st. Duckworth, b Verity . . 1 Wallace, st. Duckworth, b Verity 6 Blandford, b Verity 0 Matheson, b Copson 0 McCoy, c Sims, b Copson . 5 Simpson, b Copson 0 Extras 11 I —• Total 185

Bowling Analysis.

ENGLAND. First Innings. Worthington, not out 19 Wyatt, not out 30 Extras 7 Total for no wickets 56

o. M. R. W. Fames 11 1 33 1 Copson 8.2 1 17 3 Sims 26 7 43 2 Verity .... 24 9 64 4 Allen 2 0 4 0 Leyland .... 4 0 11 0