FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 450, 4 June 1937, Page 2

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM Carson’s Hitting Powers London, May 10. Attack is supposed to be the weak point of the New Zealand cricket team, but when the touring side made its firtt appearance, in the match with Surrey at the Oval, the bowlers were good enough to give the Surrey batsmen a bad time. Not yet in England a week, and with very little practice after their long voyage, New Zealand’s representatives have given the impression of being an attractive and well-equipped side. Their first toward begfnning thsir tour with a victory over Surrey. (Play was interrupted by rain, and- th e match was drawn).

It was in all-i ound performance that the New Zealand team was able to show something of its quality on the hrst day of this initial engagement, as Surrey were dismissed in time to enable the tourists to gain a lead on tire fist inning-s before bhe day’s play ended. The keen eye of the critics was on the visitors, and much was said and written in praise of the team, judged; on 'that opening showing. Built for Bright Play. The match was the first big one of the season at the Oval, and iit was viewed with much interest because it w’ould give an early indication of the strength of the New Zealanders. They had come with the reputation of being a very good batting side, but, as stated by the Evening News, “with bowling strength that might, not be*

equal ito getting our best batting sides out cheaply enough to give the New Zealanders sufficient chance of winning many matches.” It was said' of the math, that it would be “a very nice test for M. L. Page and his men, and if the* New Zealanders strike a good patch we may have some very bright cricket at the Oval; th e New Zealanders are built that way.” E. R. T. Holmes, captain, did not play, and his absence was regretted by both Surrey and New Zealand because of the enjoyable games New Zealand had had with the M.C.C. side whieh Holmes captained on a tour of the Dominion. w Bowling Form. Gallichan, Cowie, and Roberts made an immediate impression a's bowlers against Surrey. The ocunty 'team was dismissed rather cheaply, and, as Ronald T. Symond stated in the Daily Mail, Sandham, with his cultured mastery, and Watts, with his vigorous aggret sion, were the only men to settle down at all. Gallichan, a tall, left-arm slow spin bowler, who dismissed Squires and Barling with successive balk, and whose figures before lunch were four for 19 runs out of a sad-looking total of 90 .for five, had the mosit profitable day. As he was the last choice to join the touring party, he may be said to have justified himself already. Cowie, who also took two wickets with successive balls (Gover and Brooks being the victims), is a big man of fine physique and has a long run to the crease, with a beautifully

rhythmic and easy action. His pace, which started at fast-medium, in creased as he continued bowling, but without losing accuracy of length. But the man who seems destined for the liou share of th? bowling and of wickets during th? tour (according to the opinions formed by the Daily Mail writer) is A. W. Rob erts, a steady stockc bowler of impeccable length, w.ho changes his pace without advei'cising his intentions. Several ot the touriubs showed themselves to be good fieldsmen, and there was some excellent work dose in and in the'outfield. Innings of the Day. When New Zealand batted Gover eoon disturbed the early batsmen, and at 'tea-time he had three cheap wickeits, with the total standing at 29. Page was out to a brilliant onehanded catch at second slip by Fishlock, but after 'tea the Surrey slips would catch no m or e for Gover. Kerr escaped twice and Carson once. Kerr batted very soundly, but the inningc of the day was that of Carson, a powerful left-hander, who gets busy quickly and hits the ball with heavy strength. He so restrained himself as to take 100 minutes in scoring 50 runt, -but if I am not mistaken, he will go much faster in less anxious times. His leg-side strokes were as skilful afe they were heartiy. In partnership with Carson late in the day was Donnelly, a young lefthander, and the excellent manner in which he timed the ball was another feature of the play.