FIRST TEST MATCH DRAWN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 460, 30 June 1937, Page 5

FIRST TEST MATCH DRAWN

NEW ZEALAND LUCKY DOGGED BATTING SAVES DAY Honours To England (From the special correspondent ot the United Press Association with the team). x (Received 11-30 a.m.) London, June 29. New Zealand saved the match, after many anxious periods, mainly through a fine innings by Wallace, a wonderful display of stonewalling by Page, and a determined l stand for the eighth wicket by Kerr and Donnelly.

The draw was decidedly in favour of the home team, but the tourists deserve credit for their fine bowling on the first day, and l determined batting when in difficulties on the second and) third days. Inability to open was a severe weakness in the batting, both innings throwing a heavy weight of responsibility on those following, who were Inevitably restrained from playing with freedom and confidence when faced wltfi the difficult task of retrieving lost ground against the bowlers.

The fieldsmen were made doubly keen by their early success. England sought to force the pace in the second innings, Hardstaft and Harnett making a brillialttt stand. Only Cowie was able to quieten the batsmen, although Roberts always looked likely to take a wicket. Ham. mond was unable to field or bat on account of a knee injury.

England declared at lunch, leaving New Zealand four hours to bat and facing a big deficit. Another shaky opening soon placed the tourists’ backs to the wall. Vivian, Moloney and Hadlee Soon got going and a policy of concentrated caution was followed. Page, Wallace and Kerr played admirable knocks, and with Donnelly saved the day for New Zea. land. Details are as follow: ENGLAND First Innings Second Innings. Hutton, c Vivian, b Cowie .... 1 Parks, c Cowie 7 Handstaff, c Tindill, b Roberts 64 Barnett, not out 83 Ames, c sub., b Roberts.*. .... 20 Robins, not out 38 Extras 13 Total (declared at 4 wickets) 226 Kerr did not field, Latnason substituting. Bowling.

There were five byes and eight legbyes. NEW ZEALAND. First Innings * 295 Second Innings. Vivian, c Verity, b Voce 11 Moloney, run out .. ...... .... 0 Hadlee, b Voce ' . 3 Wallbce, 1.b.w., b Parks 56 Page, c Robitis 13 Roberts, c sub., b Gover .17 Kerr, not out .. . 38 Tindill, 1.b.w., b Verity 3 Donnelly, c Ames, b Voce .. ~ 21 Extras 13 Total (8 wickete) 175 Bowling.

• 0. M. w. R. Cowie .... 15 2 2 49 Roberta 1 . . .. 14 3 2 73 Dunning.. .. Vivian .... 4 0 0 31

0. M. R. W. Gover .. . . 18 7 27 1 Voce.. .. 1R $51 J. Parks .. .. 10 6 10 Robins Verity 14 7 «3 The match was stopped owing to bad light.