CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 71, 6 January 1936, Page 2

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH.

AUCKLAND IN A GOOD POSITION

AUCKLAND, January 4. After three days' play in the Plunket Shield cricket match, against Canterbury, at Eden Park, Auckland has played itself i.nto a strong position. With five wickets down for 248 runs in reply to Canterbury's first-innings score of 322, Auckland appeared in a good position, especially as the pitch was easy. To-day, however, on resuming play, Auckland lost a valuable wicket for the addition of only three runs, and. Canterbury's chances of a first-innings lead improved in somewhat surprising fashion. Matheson, who was 19 not out from the previous day, continued to give a sound display of batting. In scoring 92, lie was mainly instrumental in giving Auckland a lead on the first innings of 82 runs. The Auckland innings closed for 404 runs. Kerr was aggressive at the start of Canterbury's second innings, giving a fine display for 42, but the »side was in sore straits when four wickets were lost for 94 runs. Two of the younger batsmen, Hadlco and O'Brien, then combined to save Canterbury from collapse. Facing the Auckland slowhowling both batsmen used their feet well in driving powerfully on both sides of the wicket. In a valuable partnership they raised the total to 156 for four wickets at stumps, Hadlce being 56 not out and O'Brien 20 not.out. The wicket was inclined to play tricks toward the end of the day, and if Canterbury can establish a lead of 200, Auckland, using the

wicket for the fourth time, may not have an easy task on Monday. Ccores: CANTERBURY. First Innings ;. 322 Second Innings. Kerr, c Whitelaw, b Townsend ... 42 Bellamy, b Matheson 2 Hadlee, not out ... 56 Cromb, hit wkt, b Vivian ... 9 Bntterfield, Ibvv, b Vivian ... 3 O'Brien, not out 26 Extras 18 Total for four wickets ... 156 AUCKLAND. First Innings. Mills, b Merritt ... 42 Postles, c Cobden, b Cromb ... » Weir, b Roberts ... 0 Whitelaw, c O'Brien, b Cromb ... 3o Wallace, run out ... 8o Hook, c But terfield, b Roberts ... 45 Matheson, b Morritt 92 Vivian, b Graham 60 Townsend, c Graham, b Merritt ... 16 Cowie, b Merritt 16 Hay ward, not out ... 1 Extras 14 Total 404 Bowling analysis: Roberts two for 61, Graham one for 39, Cromb two tor 87, Merritt four for 144. M.C.C. PLAYS SOUTHLAND. VISITORS SCORE 489 RUNS. INVERCARGILL, Jan. 5. In scoring 489 runs in 310 minutes the touring M.C.C. team gave the Invercargill public a taste oi the type of cricket which has won the side its popularity throughout its tour in Australia and New Zealand. The great majority of the runs were scored at breakneck speed, there being'only one or two patches of comparatively quiet batting in the whole innings. There were individual achievements, Uoo, ot more than passing merit, # oii3 of the soundest batsmen in the side scored the highest total of the tour so far in New Zealand, Ins 201 being a mixture of very solid batting and carefree aggression. He took no risks whatever until lie was well into his second hundred and then apparentlv decided that he had been at the wickets quite long enough. Holmes lived up to his reputation as a free scoring batsman and his 100 in 75min. was perhaps the most delightful feature of the day's batting. James Langridge provided the other three figure contribution, his 118 in 128 min. including its sensational moments and always being free and versatile cricket. Southland's performance in the field was patchy. The bowling did not include much variation, and it was never really hostile. The ground fielding generally was good, many brilliant pieces of work more than offsetting occasional lapses due to the vagaries of the turf. The wonder of it was that more mistakes were not made. Scores:—■ M.C.C. First Innings. D. Smith, c and b McGowan ... 14 J. H. Parks, c Tapley, b McGowan 201 E. R. T. Holmes, b Scandrett ... 100 W. Barber, c Anderson, b Uttley... 23 J. Hardstuff, b Purdue 5 N. S. Mitchell-Innes, c Brittendon, b McGowan ... ... 1 J. Langridge, c Tapley, b Purdue 118 J. H. Human, c Tapley, b McGowan ... ... ... 3 A. G. Powell, c Brittenden, b McGowan ... ... ... 7 H. D. Read, b Purdue ... ... 1 A. D. Baxter, not out 9 Extras ... . 7 Total 489 WOMEN'S "REP." MATCH. SPECTATORS DISLIKE DECISION. . WELLINGTON, Jan. 5. Wellington 226 (B. Holmes 21, D. Hatcher 54, N. Sheridan 66 not out, A. Ell 29) beat Nelson 42 (L. Howard 16) and 72 for none (L. Howard 36, M. Ford 11 not. out) in a women's representative cricket match on the Basin Reserve. For Wellington, Sheridan took live for 3 and three for 11. About 500 persons watched the game, which was remarkable for the feeling displayed by the spectators over a stumping decision against one of the visitors, hooting and jeering being maintained for some minutes. Fpr a long while spectators chorused ironical appeals whenever a ball was hit, and applauded derisively when the umpire signalled a wide.

AUSTRALIA'S GOOD WIN. INNINGS AND 78 RUNS. CAPE TOWN, January 4. Australia won the third Tost cricket match against South Africa by an innings and 78 runs. Three thousand persons were present when play was continued to-day, in fine and cool weather. The wicket was easy. Fleetwood-Smith and O'Reilly took up the attack, the former getting amazing turns on the ball. O'Reilly employed a leg trap, but the batsmen scored freely, sending up 50 in even time. Siedle then took 10 in one over from Fleetwood-Smith, and reached his own 50 after 79 minutes. Wade survived several leg appeals, but was beaten by the pace of a straight ball from Fleetwood-Smith. Siedle continued aggressively until Grimmett bowled him round his legs. Ho batted for 98 minutes and hit seven fours. Grimmett, by taking this wicket, equalled Barnes' record of 189 Test wickets, which has stood for a quarter of a century. Howan brought up 102 in 104 minutes by driving Fleetwood-Smith to the fence. Nourse began brightly, and at luncheon both were batting confidently. , , ... After luncheon O'Reilly bowled eight maidens in succession. Nourse then hit three successive boundaries off Grimmett, but pushed the next ball back to the bowler. He .batted for 61 minutes. This was the beginning of a sensational turn of the tide. Howan went in the next over, Richardson at silly leg making a brilliant catch. Mitchell played the ball in to the wicket. The dramatic change caused the 8000 spectators to watch each ball with

breathless interest. O'Reilly and Grimmett soon disposed of the remaining batsmen, giving Australia an easy win. There was an amusing incident when Balaskas skied O'Reilly towards midoff. The fieldsmen dashed for stumps as souvenirs, and pulled them out, but McCormick did not get to the ball, and the game was held up while the umpires replanted the wickets. The Australians were given a great ovation on returning to the pavilion. Richardson said: "Naturally we are very glad we won; but South Africa had all the worst of the luck in the most difficult conditions." Wade said that the Australians fully deserved their win. Scores : AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Total for eight wickets, (dec.) 362 SOUTH AFRICA First 'lnnings 102 Second Innings. Wade, lbw, b Fleetwood-Smith ... 31 Siedle, b Grimmett 59 Rowan, c Richardson, b O'Reilly... 19 Nourse, c and b Grimmett ... 25 Mitchell, b Grimmett 0 Viljoen, c O'Reilly, b Grimmett ... 23 Nicholson, c and b O'Reilly ... 4 Langton, b O'Reilly ... ... 4 Crisp, c Richardson, b O'Reilly... 0 Balaskas, b Grimmett 2 Robertson, not out 12 Extras ... 3 Total 182 Fall of wickets: One for 87, two for 97, three for 137, four for 137*, five for 139, six for 146, seven for 156, nine for 174. Bowling—McCormick none for 8, Grimmett five for 56, Fleetwood-Smith one for 30, O'Reilly four for 35. CHRISTUHURCH COMPETITIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, January 5. Cricket matches were resumed on Saturday. All sides were weakened by absences owing to the Plunket Shield team being on tour. Lancaster Park 190 (Dryden 50; Burt four for 57) played St. Albans 46 for four wickets. Old Boys 214 (Brookes 35, Nixon 35, Harbidge 36; Mcßae four for 52, Burt five for 67) played Sydenham 39 for no wickets. Old Collegians 269 (Chrystall 44, Ollivier 106, Byrne 42) played Riccarton six wickets for 70 runs. East C'hristchurch 271 (Mortlock 89, Avis 45, Dickson not out 44) batted all the afternoon against West Christchurch. SCORES AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, January 5. Dunedin 110 (Macassey 54; Silver three for 23) met Albion 243 for five (Martin 76, Duncan not out 39). Against Grange, Carisbrook made 421 for eight (H. Cameron 73, Dunning 69, Mackay 83, K-ean 50). Colts 128 (Henderson two for 22, Ryan three for 34) met University 112 (E. Stevenson two for 16). Old Boys 250 (Mills not out 86, Leader 58; Cook six for 96) met Kaikorai, 56 for one.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCHES. N.S.W. BEATS QUEENSLAND. SYDNEY, January 5. In the Sheffield Shield match New South Wales, whose first innings total was 386, declared in their second innings with nine wickets- down for 376. Gilbert took three wickets for 113, VVyeth two for 54, and Levy two for 45. Queensland, Avhose first innings realised 344, made 216 (Andrews 38, Honour 34). Chilyers took four for 78 and Hynes four for 43. New'South Wales won by 182 runs. It is disclosed that after Gilbert on Friday struck Mudge, Robinson and Marks, he was no-balled by the Test umpire, Mr Borwick, for intimidating tactics. Mr Borwick considered that Gilbert was infringing the "bodyline rule" which was introduced by the Australian Board of Control after the last English tour of Australia. The aboriginal, Gilbert, is thus the fuvst bowler in Australian first-class cricket to have the law invoked against him. Gilbert denied he was bowling at the man, and blamed the wicket, which was worn. Mr,A. G. Moyes, the "Sunday Sun" cricket writer, says that Gilbert's deliveries were perfectly fair. SOUTH AUSTRALIA BEATS VICTORIA.

MELBOURNE, January 5. Playing South Australia in the Sheffield Shield series, Victoria, in their first innings, made 313. Wall took four Avickets for 77, Waito two for 45, and Ryan two for 26. They followed on and in the second innings had lost five for 250 (Rigg 124, Quin 47). South Australia won on the hist innings, their total being 569.