CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 70, 4 January 1936, Page 2

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH. AUCKLAND COLTS RAT WELL. AUCKLAND, January 3. In spite of the fact that it scored 274 for five wickets and appeared likely to compile a large first innings total, Canterbury collapsed when play was resumed to-day in the Plunket Shield cricket match against Auckland at Eden Park. Auckland howlers were dominant from the start and Canterbury’s innings realised only 332 runs. Auckland did not appear to have

been set a. particularly hard task when it commenced its first innings on a perfect pitch, but the loss of two valuable wickets for 17 runs placed the side in a bad position. However a brilliant display by Wallace, the Auckland colt, for 85 run out, retrieved the position. In company with Hook, another colt, who also gave a very solid display for 45 not out, Wallace provided a splendid exhibition of all round batting. At stumps Auckland bad scored 248 for five wickets with Vivian, Townsend, Cowie and Hayward to follow. ' Roberts was the most consistent Canterbury bowler in taking one wicket for 32 runs in 29 overs, 15 maidens. Cromb took two for 67, but Merritt was erratic in taking one for 87. The Governor-General (Viscount Galway) was a guest and shook hands with the players of both teams at the tea adjournment. Scores:— CANTERBURY. First Innings 322 AUCKLAND. First Innings. Mills, b Merritt ... i 42 Postles, c Cobden, b Cromb ... 8 Weir, b Roberts 0 Whitelaw, c O’Brien, b Cromb ... 35 Wallace, run out ... 85 Hook, not out 45 Matheson, not out 19 Extras 14 Total for five wickets ... 248 SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCHES. MARKS’S BIG SCOR-E. SYDNEY, January 3. Iu the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales, Queensland, first innings, scored 344 (Christy not out 51; Cooper took three for 66, White two for 28, Hynes two for 26). New South Wales |(first innings 569) in the second innings has scored 376 for nine (Hynes 36, Easton 40, Marks 201). Marks batted aggressively for 269 minutes. He hit 24 fours. VICTORIA y. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, January 3. In the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, Victoria, first innings, has scored 310 for nine (Scaife 48, Gregory 60, Plant 42). Play was twice delayed because of successful appeals against the light. ALLEN MAY CAPTAIN MIDDLESEX LONDON, January 2. G. O. Allen will probably take over the captaincy of Middlesex from R. W. V. Robins, who, although lie has been re-appointed captain, finds that business will prevent his playing regularly. Thus Allen will gain experience in leadership which bo at present lacks, removing the objections to his captaincy against Australia. It is understood that Robins will be able to go to Australia if be is selected. THE HAWKE CUP CONTEST MANAWATU-SOUTHLAND MATCH. INVERCARGILL, January 3. The New Zealand Cricket Council advised the Southland Cricket Association to-day that the Hawke Cup match between Manawatu and Southland would begin on January 10. It is felt here that the notice is rather short, as the team will have ,to leave on Wednesday, and the .Marylebone Cricket Club match will not be finished till Monday. It may not be possible to get the strongest side away on Wednesday. A meeting of the executive of the Southland Association will be held as soon as possible to consider the matter.