Ireland v Scotland 17, 19 & 20 June 1933 by Cricket Scotland

---

Ground:	Ormeau, Belfast
Scorecard:	Ireland v Scotland
Event:	Scotland in Ireland 1933

---

DateLine: 31st January 2013

 

 

Day 1:
The first occasion the Gentlemen of Ireland have met the Gentlemen of Scotland at Belfast was not favoured by good weather, for after unpleasant squalls had caused the start to be delayed until 4.40, the handful of spectators present shivered in the cold wind, which the sun did little to relieve of its chill.

 

In the two hours available for play, Ireland batting on a dead wicket, lost six batsmen for 95 runs, which was hardly a creditable performance under the circumstances. They lost Pigot after five runs had been scored, and although Shearer, the Corinthians' forward, who has a residential qualification for Ireland, showed that the bowling of both Anderson and Baxter could be hit, James Macdonald pulled a ball from Anderson into the wicketkeeper's hands when the total was 37.

 

Shearer, who hit four 4's, was out to a catch at fine leg, having batted confidently. Ingram and Douglas took the score to 66 by patient batting, and that was the best partnership of the day, though by no means entertaining.

 

After half the side were out, Douglas and Boucher stayed together until 86 runs were on the board, and then Anderson removed the Irish captain's leg stump. Crothers joined Boucher, and after a short interruption, following an appeal against bad light, the pair played out time.

 

Although not helped by the dead wicket, Anderson actually took five wickets for 25 runs in his first spell of seventeen overs. He resumed later, but took no more wickets for a further 10 runs. Hiddleston's solitary wicket cost 5 runs.

 

Day 2:
The second day's play in the Gentlemen of Ireland v the Gentlemen of Scotland match at Belfast was favoured with much better weather yesterday, but a hot sun following the weekend rain did not improve the wicket, and the batsmen again had to struggle for runs.

 

Ireland had the better of play, for they carried their overnight total of 95 for six to 159 and dismissed the Scotsmen for 109, gaining a lead of 50 on the first innings. This was increased by 26 for the loss of two wickets in the second innings.

 

Ireland did well to add 64 yesterday morning, Boucher batting well to carry his bat, while Lambert and Morgan gave him good support. The latter and Boucher figured in the best stand of the innings, 32 for the last wicket.

 

Anderson's bowling did not meet with much success yesterday, though the wicket was faster.

 

The Scottish batsmen displayed plenty of caution, which may have been necessary on the drying wicket, though it did not gain them much. Kerr and Jones scored 13 before lunch, but the first over after Jones was out to a clever catch by Loughery, who threw himself full length to bring about the fall of the first wicket.

 

Boucher caught Tod four runs later, the wicket-keeper knocking the ball on to the fielder. Nicholson had at least one life before he was bowled at 26 after making 13. Later John Kerr saw Macdonald hold a hard pull at forward short leg.

 

An hour passed before 50 was hoisted, and then Innes stepped in front of a straight one from Boucher and half the side was out.

 

Hart and Hiddleston played together until the tea interval came at 72, but again the break proved fatal. Hiddleston left at 74, Anderson at 82, and Baxter without a further addition. The collapse continued, Mortimer being bowled at 86, and though Hart was batting well enough, Simpson took risks, and a wild stroke by him saw the innings conclude.

 

At the close of play Ireland was 76 on with eight wickets in hand.

 

Day 3:
The Gentlemen of Ireland defeated the Gentlemen of Scotland by 23 runs at Belfast yesterday. It was a game of fluctuating fortunes.

 

Ireland resumed their second innings at 36, having lost two wickets the previous night. They were 76 on. The innings was characterised yesterday by Baxter's bowling, the Scotsman taking four wickets for 30 runs before he displaced a cartilage in stopping a return off his own bowling. His mishap was not a serious handicap to Scotland for Ireland were 93 for eight, and the innings closed at 114, leaving Scotland to get 165 to win.

 

The Irish batsmen had not fared very well on the worn wicket, and Scotland seemed to have a very difficult task, especially when John Kerr edged the ball into first slip's hands when only 1 run had been scored.

 

At lunch time Scotland's supporters were not hopeful, but Jones and Hart surprised everyone by resuming cautiously and steadily, and 50 was reached in an hour and a quarter. Then when the pair seemed like putting Scotland in a winning position, Hart hit out at a good ball from Macdonald and was clean bowled.

 

Then Jones and Nicholson were both clean bowled with only 66 on the board, and though Tod and Innes prevented a further collapse the latter left at 86 and Tod at 98.

 

The tea interval arrived with the score 106 for six, but the seventh wicket falling at 117 and the eighth and ninth at 122 changed the outlook. Baxter, although limping, batted, with a runner, and kept the innings going, but Macdonald bowled him at 141 to settle matters.

 

Macdonald might have done better had he not been taken off at tea, for none of the batsmen faced his bowling with much confidence.

(Article: Copyright © 2013 Cricket Scotland http://cricketscotland.com)