CRICKET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 76, 10 January 1928, Page 3

CRICKET

CANTERBURY BEATS AUCKLAND.

WON BY ELEVEN RUNS. (Per Press Association., AUCKLAND, January 9. After one of the finest cricket struggles ever witnessed on Eden Park, Canterbury bowlers to-day triumphed over Auckland batsmen, and won. for their side its second victory, by eleven runs. It was great cricket, with the result in doubt right until Scott was bowled by Read. Although the home team put ujp a great fight, its batting v. as patchy, and Canterbury would have been distinctly unlucky to lose. As it happened, tlie visitors were at a disadvantage in having first use of the wicket. Had Auckland batted on Monday morning, with Merritt bowling on a tricky wicket, the margin between the teams must have been greater. Three factors combined to rob Auckland of victory on the home ground. First and foremost there was the keenness and accuracy of the Canterbury attack, ied throughout the day by Read. Them there was the failure of the Auckland opening pair to give the side a good start this morning, and finally the sheer idiocy with which Matheson threw away his wicket when he and Player were batting soundly, and only 25 runs were needed for victory. , , „

After a bad start Bowleyi and Cooper made a determined effort to improve i,he position-, but with Bowley’s dismissal, and then Anthony’s, Auckland’s hopes sank very low. Gillespie stayed with Cooper for a while, hatting soundly, but it was the partnership between Cooper and Dacre that gave Auckland a good lighting chance. The pair put on 95 runs in a very short time. Cooper had two lives before his imnings closed for 80. Hayes missed an easy stumping chance, but before then a catch behind tlie wicket had been disallowed. Cooper’s off shots were beautiful, and he and Dacre were the only two to exploit the late cut to a marked degree. As for Dacre, he was the batsman who delighted English crowds with his freedom and sparkling shots. In such a position most captains would have played a waiting game. Dacre took every chance of scoring that presented itself, and did so in his own inimitable fashion. Seldom has his oowerful hook shot been seen to better advantage, and one seemed to sense bright cricket from tlie moment when he played the first hall from Nixon clean through covers, with a typical shot. His dismissal was a happy event for Canterbury. Garrard and Weir both went early, hut after an uncertain opening, Player and Matheson showed that 'they were capable of turning the tide against Canterbury. Auckland was within striking distance when Matheson., in jumping out to Merritt, made Canterbury a present of his wicket. Although Scott and Player made a gallant attempt against big odds, the visitors could not be checked, and won by eleven runs. Auckland’s chances, never rosy from the time of Daore’s dismissal, had vanished with Matheson’s recklessness. For Canterbury Read was the hero of the gamine. He spun the ball a little, and swung it well, but more than that kept his length. Page was lucky in having three’ fine howlers to lead the attack, and man for man Canterbury was Hie better side.

Scores:—" CANTERBURY. First Innings 244 Second Innings ... 251 AUCKLAND. First Innings ... 198 Second Innings. Bowley, b McEwin ... ... ... 41 Mills, c Page, b Read 7 Cooper, b Read 80 Anthony, b Read ... 4 Gillespie, c Page, b Nixon 24 Dacre, c Hamilton, b Read ... 76 Garrard, b Newman ... ... 1 Player, not out ... 16 Weir, b Newman 1 Matheson, b Merritt ... ... 15 Scott, b Read ... ... ... 8 Extras ... 13 Total ... ... ... • 286 Bowling Analysis.—Read took five wickets for 77 runs, Newman two for 62, Merritt one for 65, McEwin one for 30, Nixon one for 39. WELLINGTON DEFEATS OTAGO. WELLINGTON, January 9. Wellington beat Otago by 163 runs in a, special match which concluded on the Basin Reserve to-day in oerftet weather. Scores: —

WELLINGTON. First Innings ... ... ... 663 Second Innings ... ... ... 413 OTAGO. First Innings ... ... ... ... 269 Second Innings ... ... ... 344