Lawrence Rowe was the man to watch in the West Indies and New Zealand Test Match at Sabina Park. While the West Indians did not come out on top, Rowe’s unforgettable performance warranted a celebration.

Published Tuesday, February 22, 1972

WEST INDIES, NEW ZEALAND IN DRAW

-Rowe sets record in his 1st Test

-HITS CENTURY IN BOTH INNINGS

JAMAICAN LAWRENCE ROWE achieved a new landmark in the history of Test cricket yesterday when he was allowed by his skipper to reach a century before West Indies declared their second innings in the first Test match against New Zealand in the Caribbean at Sabina Park; and so became the first batsman to score separate centuries on his Test debut – 214 and 100 not out.

But this did not help the West Indies to win this history-laced Test between the countries, and the Kiwis have come out of the match with good reason to be happy.

For West Indies, who declared twice at 508 for four and 218 for three, were almost always in command.  But stout knocks first by Glenn Turner (223 not out) in the tourists’ first innings, and Mark Burgess (101) in the second, put the issue beyond doubt.

When play ended at the conclusion of the 19th of the 20 mandatory overs in the last hour,  New Zealand were 236 for 6 as Burgess, who followed  Roy Fredericks, Lawrence Rowe (twice) and Glen Turner into triple figures, defied an attack which was mounted by Dave Holford, who had figures of 33-12-55-4.  Sobers permutated his bowling staff, and the man who raised hopes of victory optimistic local hearts was mainly Holford.

Set 341 to make IN just under 300 minutes, New Zealand did not take up the challenge when Garfield Sobers, who led the West Indies magnificently, waved Rowe and Foster inside after Rowe had set new dimensions by completing a round hundred to top his first innings double-century in his maiden Test.

The Sabina Park wicket was still playing easily at the close; although Holford and veteran off-spinner Lance Gibbs did get some turn, but slowly, as indicated from the fact that 1,348 runs were scored for 23 wickets.

The West Indies made 726 for the loss of seven wickets, and New Zealand 622 for 16 wickets.  During the entire match, 656.5 overs were bowled, of which the West Indies sent down 295.5.

The New Zealanders leave the island this afternoon at 5:10 for Antigua, where they will play the Leeward Islands in a three-day game starting on Friday.  This match will last through to Sunday, and the tourists will then move on to Tobago on Monday when they will play a three-day match before flying into Trinidad for their game against that territory prior to the second Test.

The actual highlight of the game was the batting of Rowe, who has shown that he is a batsman of class with a future, as at no time against the New Zealand bowling he appeared to be in any trouble.  His footwork was good and the timing of the ball beautiful.  So far he has hit 541 runs against the New Zealanders attack in three innings once not out, with an average of 270.50.  In six first-class innings so far this year, he has aggregated 848 in six innings with an average of 169.80.

New Zealand has proved in this game that they have a good fielding side and some steady batting, but they will have to improve in their bowling if they are to keep the West Indies batting machine in control.

The West Indies team in this match had a lot of bowling, but it lack penetration, especially on the Sabina Park wicket.  The selectors will have to make a couple of changes, especially in this department, for the second Test, which they must win to bring back some interest into this series.

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