Cricket: Kiwis claim noble scalp

New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229-5

Duchess of Norfolk's XI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

New Zealand win by 69 runs

THE KNIVES may be out for Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, after yesterday's crushing defeat by New Zealand. Last year, with Ian Botham in her side, the Australians only just scraped a win. This year, with Botham dropped, the Kiwis romped to a 69-run win with more than seven overs to spare. Given the present mood of national introspection, she may be turning to the butler's copy of the Sun this morning to see if her head has been turned into a Duchesse potato.

This traditional tour opener (though actually the eager Kiwis' third game) failed to provide the traditional entertainment because the tourists displayed the impressive collective competence that has made them a far better one-day side than their individual talents suggest. This was personified by Gavin Larsen, who is their vice-captain despite never playing Test cricket. He is, though, a veteran of more than 50 internationals and yesterday cracked 48 in even time, then took 4 for 17 in 10 overs.

But while the tourists will be no pushovers in one-day cricket, Tests are a different matter and there was much needed encouragement yesterday in the form of Stephen Fleming. The erect left-hander, 21 last month, made 86 not out off 98 balls, batting with a cultured fluency. After his Test debut in March, when he made 92 against India, he was billed as the best Kiwi batsman to emerge since Martin Crowe.

Their other young hopeful is the bowler Heath Davis, described as fast but raw. He was both, as six wides - two of which went for boundaries - and two wickets illustrated.

All was watched, in idyllic conditions, by less than half of last year's 16,000 full house. Not only was Botham missing, so were John Major and Ted Dexter. The latter's replacement as chairman of selectors, Ray Illingworth, was in Manchester 'agreeing to differ' with Michael Atherton.

Neither of the men likely to figure among the 50 on 'Illy's List', Martin Speight and Alan Wells, prospered. Wells made a swift 20 before being bowled by Davis, while Speight was one of three ducks in the Duchess's top six. The other two, Derek Randall and Matthew Fleming, were dismissed in successive balls by Larsen.

(Photograph omitted)