New Zealand v England 1929-30

Showing greatly improved form, New Zealand had much the best of a drawn match, scoring 604 runs for fourteen wickets while England made 427 for the loss of the same number of batsmen - a difference of 177 in the aggregates. England were never in danger of defeat as only an hour and a half remained for play when Lowry declared with a lead of 84. New Zealand owed their favourable position mainly to a irst wicket stand of 276 by Mills and Dempster. Mills, whose efforts thus greatly strengthened the New Zealand batting, had not played in the first Test match. In setting up a record for the start of an innings in New Zealand first-class cricket, Dempster and Mills gave a really fine display. They ran well and altogether showed sound judgment in defence besides scoring by a variety of strokes. Dempster, second out at 288, excelled in placing the ball and scored rather faster than Mills. The first day produced 339 runs for three wickets but, in the attempt to force the pace, the batsmen, after a little hitting by Page and Blunt, fell quickly, Woolley enjoying special success with the ball.

New Zealand fielded much more smartly than at Christchurch and, their bowlers thus receiving capable support, five England wickets fell for 149. A particularly good catch at leg dismissed Woolley. On the other hand Nichols and Worthington each had an escape that greatly influenced the course of the game, as Worthington helped to add 70 and Nichols, on the third morning when England's last four wickets fell for 65 runs, was not out and had the top score to his credit. Dempster played a second fine innings, making his aggregate for the match 216 for once out, but, like the other batsmen, he could not punish the bowling with much freedom. An earlier declaration might have put England in an awkward position and as it was Duleepsinhji and Woolley, in order to make sure of a creditable draw, found it necessary to act mainly on the defensive. Badcock bowled a consistently good length, and Dickinson's pace at times troubled the batsmen.