CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 72, 7 January 1936, Page 2

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD SERIES.

AUCKLAND WIN ON FIRST INNINGS.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. Cricket of a high standard and of a thoroughly entertaining nature was witnessed to-dav when the Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury was concluded at Eden Park, the' former gaining the decision by 82 runs on the first innings. Canterbury scored 322 in the first innings and' 349 in the second, while Auckland's scores were 404 and 228 for seven wickets. Play to-day was marked by changing fortunes. Apparently in a hopeless position, four wickets being down in' its second innings for 156 runs, Canterbury made a gallant fight on resuming to-day, and compiled a good total of 349. Hadlee (79), Cobden (79), and O'Brien (54), were mainly responsible for the good recovery, all these batsmen giving forceful discplays. With just over three hours to bat, Auckland was faced with the task of making 248 runs for an outright win. The position appeared very even but when Auckland lost three valuable wickets for 33 runs, the home team was in the position of having to fight in order to avoid defeat. Thanks to the splendid display for 100 by Wallace and a vigorous exhibition for 48 by Hook, Auckland's prospects then brightened. The Canterbury bowlers were giving little away, however, Merritt being particularly dangerous, and when a few other wickets were lost cheaply, Auckland, which at one time had a good chance of an outright victory, decided that the safer course was to play out time. Scores:— CANTERBURY. First Innings 322 Second Innings 349 AUCKLAND. First innings 404 Second Innings. A. J. Postles, b Merritt ... 6 J. E. Mills, b Cromb 14 G. L. Weir, lbw (N),. b Roberts ... 15 P. E. Whitelaw, lbw, b Merritt ... 9 W. M. Wallace, c O'Brien, b Merritt 100 G. Hook, b Roberts 48 L. F. Townsend, c and b Merritt 0 H. G. Vivian, not out 19 A. M. Matheson, not out 8 Extras 9 Total (for seven wickets) ... 228 (N) denotes new rule.

M.C.C. AND SOUTHLAND DRAW.

RAIN SPOILS THE GAME. fPfir Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, January G. After the bright batting display of the M.C.C. team against Southland on Saturday and the promise of an equally interesting exhibition in the field on the second day, quite a big crowd was at Rugby Park when play was started this morning. The Southland batsmen went out, but after 11 overs had been bowled steady drizzling rain put a stop to play for the morning. The grandstand was fairly well populated again at 2 o'clock, when play was due to restart, but there was still line rain falling, and the visitors did not arrive at the ground until after 2.30. The rain showed signs of clearing, but the M.C.C. captain was not eager to play, considering that the approaches to the wicket were too greasy and that there was more than a passing risk that some of his Test match bowlers might be injured. After several consultations with the umpires and inspections of the wicket, it M'as decided to make a start just after 4 o'clock. Another shower just as the players were ready to take the field drove them back into their dressingrooms, and it was 4.40 when at last the umpires went out. It was obvious immediately that Holmes had no intention, of using his regular bowlers, and he was entirely justified in his attitude. Griffin and Mitchell-Innes took over the attack, and the latter fell after delivering his first ball. Griffith's slows did not ap-

pear to be dangerous, and MitchellInnes bowled at medium pace without taking a run. Six overs were played, one wicket lost and 22 runs scored before Holmes appealed against the conditions and stumps were drawn. It was a most disappointing day. When stumps were drawn Southland had lost four wickets for 50 runs, and conditions favoured the batsmen to such an extent that they looked like scoring at a very free pace. In the morning, H. D. Read, the fast bowler, and A. D. Baxter, who bowls at slightly more than medium pace, had charge of the attack. Read's pace was not all that was expected, and he Avas played fairly confidently. Although he bowled Wesney with a "yorker," Baxter seemed to employ a lot of overspin and he dipped in sharply from the off. Langridge and Parks, left and right hand spin-bowlers respectively, were tried, the former getting a wicket with his first ball and Parks bowling only one over before it began to rain. At this stage Southland had lost three wickets for 28 runs. In the afternoon Tapley continued very confidently, hitting anything loose with plenty of power. He finished up with 24 not out. The game was drawn." Scores: M.C.C. First Innings ... 489 SOUTHLAND. First Innings. Spence, c Read, b Langridge ... 15 Wesney, b Read ... 0 McGowan, lbw, b Baxter 1 Tapley, not out 24 Scandrett, lbw, b Mitchell-Innes 0 Brittenden, not out ... ... 6 Extras , 7 Total, for four wickets ... 53 Bowling: Read one for 14, Langridge one for 0, Baxter one for 7, Mit-chell-Innes one for 5, Griffiths none for 16, Parks none for 4. WADE TO CAPTAIN AFRICANS. CAPE TOWN, January 5. Wade has been appointed captain for the fourth test cricket match. The Australians left Cape Town for Port Elizabeth, and were given a rousing send-off.