INDIA v. NEW ZEALAND

At Nagpur, October, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. New Zealand won by 167 runs. In the Indian team Hanumant Singh and Pai were replaced by A. Roy and S. Venkataraghavan. Hastings and Taylor were omitted from the New Zealand team for Yuile and Pollard. In this first Test played at Nagpur, the pitch took spin from the first morning, but Dowling and Murray gave their side a very good start, being together at lunch with 67 runs. Dowling batted three hours for 69 and yet hit ten 4's. New Zealand's policy was to keep out the spinners but to hit hard at every opportunity. Congdon (two 6's) also played well again and Burgess, in an accomplished display, hit thirteen 4's in his 89, scored in three and a quarter hours. New Zealand passed 200 with three wickets down, but on the second morning Hadlee alone made much progress.

For India, Abid Ali attacked successfully and Wadekar batted with particular care for two hours, twenty minutes, and the home side was well placed until Burgess took two wickets in the final over of the second day. On the third morning, New Zealand regained control, although a brisk innings by Engineer and a sound one by Roy, in his first Test, gave their side 73 for the eighth wicket. In boiling heat, Howarth bowled with particular skill and New Zealand led by 62.

New Zealand struggled against spin in their second innings. Dowling, after hitting Bedi for 6, was an unfortunate victim of a caught at the wicket decision, but Turner and Pollard came to the rescue and added 65 for the fifth wicket in ninety minutes. At 171 for nine, India had a fair chance, but Hadlee and Howarth swung the game towards New Zealand by making 43 for the last wicket in even time and India required 277. At tea, the score was 44 for one; at close of play, 86 for seven. Howarth and Pollard bowled splendidly, Howarth dismissing Roy with another fantastic catch from his own bowling. The match ended after forty minutes on the fifth morning.