THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 38, 14 February 1910, Page 2

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

. AUCKLAND'S FINE STAND. v. ALL OUT FOE 579. OTAGO AT THE WICKETS. After the "Star" went to press on ?atuniay, the Plunket Shield match w;is continued, and the home team continued their first innings, raising their *--.ir» to the very large total of 569. The wicket and the out-field were in perfect order, and the attendance of ipectators numbered about three thousand. The last Auckland partnership added 4li runs, and Otago, before ■tumps were drawn for the day, lost, four wickets for 105 runs. Following are the details of the play:— THE LAST WICKET. Taylor, the last man, prayed out the ever which was fatal to Mason, r.-vl Anthony took a maiden from Downes. Taylor scored his first ran by driving- McFariane for a single. Anthony hit another single, and Ta}*lor played a similar stroke for a bra-ee. Fisher replaced Downes, and Anthony showed his liking for the change by banging him twice over the off boundary, and driving him for a single. Anthony drove McFariane for a single, and .-square cut Fisher for another, (making hi; total 20. Off McFariane, Anthony hit a boundary, with a hard drive past the bowler — 50 up. Taylor played Fisher's over safely, and Anthony began McFarlane's by driving for one. He played Fisher's over safely, and his partner scored a single off either bowler, making the score 655. Anthony tapped Fisher to leg for a couple, drove him ior one, and saw his partner do likewise. Taylor drove McFariane to the off for three, Anthony ■smashed him to the on for three, and Taylor knocked him over the boundary for lour — ten from the over. McFarlane's average was getting rapidly spoiled at this stage,. It had stood at 3 for 37 when he took Mason's wicket, but it Was now 3 for SO. Siedeberg took Fisher's end, the only score from his over being a single, hit off his last ball by Anthony. He drove McFiirlane 'for a single, and Taylor lifted the next over the bowler's head for four. Anthony continued by pulling Siedeberg to the on for four, but when he tried to repeat the stroke on the next ball, he was brilliantly caught by Eckhold, who, after running at top speed for some distance, caught the ball as he was falling. The innings closed amidst tumultuous applause, the score bein<-* 572. 1.. OTAGO AT THE WICKETS. At 3.40 Brooke-Smith led the Auckland team into the field. Wilson and Eckhold were the first Otago batsmen, who were opposed by the bowling of Relf aud Hadden. Re'lf took the Newmarket end and opened to Wilson. The first score ' was a single for a square cut off the fourth ball, and the next a three for a leg hit by Eckhold. Eckhold drew Hadden's fourth to the on for a pair, and the last ball, almost a wide, ran for four—lo up in as many minutes. Wilson drove Relf for a single, and was missed off Hadden in his next over by Relf in the slips. The chance was a very hot left-hand one. Eckhold pulled Relf for a single, and Wilson pulled him to square-leg for a couple. Wilson made another uppish stroke in the direction of mid-on. from the last ball of the over, but the ball fell out of OllifFs reach. Eckhold was nearly out again for a stroke into the slips, which was just out of reach of Hemus, who had been fielding exceedingly well. i RAIN. The light had been failing for some time, portending rain, and the shower arrived rather before schedule time at 4 p.m. Eckhold placed Hadden through the slips for a single, the only score from his over, and the game was stopped at 4.5. The rain stopped after ten minutes, however, and the -rime was resumed. There had just been enough rain to make the ball greasy, and the bowlers had to use sawdust. " THE FIRST WIChZET. Resuming. Eckhold took a maiden from Reh. Off Hadden, Wilson scored a --ingle through the slips, and Eckhold a couple for a neat square leg stroke. Ihe next over saw the fall of the first wicket, when Relf clean-bowled Wilson ■with a ball which went between the ba+ and the batsman's pads, and took the" leg srump. The Otago skipper had been *t the wickets 25 minutes for his 5 runs— IS— I—s. - Rutherford followed and played out the over Eckhold late cut Hadden to the boundary for four, making his --core reach double figures. TWO WICKETS FOR 2 K Rut *erf«d opened to account bv'cutting Kelt for four, and then after KckfcoM ■ 7 r !. d „ a -angle, -was caught in the ■hps by Relf off Hadden. 27—2—4 next "» order - Fckhoid •pWlßelr through the slips for foe* and Stedebei-g drove a full toss from Hadden for four, which the bowler miirht have stopped. Eckhold knocked a single off the MJae bowler. Siedeberg scored singles ofl both bowlers, and Eckhold tapped Hadden neatly to square le-* for three, 40 up after an hour's play = A ' single off both bowlers to Eckhold and : a brace to Siedeberg off Hadden, came : from the next two overs. Reif sent down a maiden, and the only score from Hadden's over was a brace to Siedeber--- who '■ reached double figures with the stroke : After a maiden from Relf to Eckhold Siedeberg hit Hadden to the on for three," . bringing the half-century up after 70 * minutes' piay. Eckhold "hit the Shore '. bowler over the leg boundary for four : and Siedeberg drove Relf for four, and '. for one. THE FIRST CHANGE i Olliff took Hadden's end, and Siedeberg welcomed him by lifting his second : ball over the boundary for six, the first : -sixer of the day, bringing 60 up, making • his own score 25. The last ball of the over he placed through tho slips for a • single, and in the nest over he drove ' Relf to the on for a brace, Eckhold ■scored a flukey single from the Parnell bowler, and Siedeberg another with a dangerous uppish stroke to the on. Siedebei--*- reached 30 with a leg stroke for a couple, passing his partner's score of 28, and bringing 70 up. Eckhold touched 30 by square cutting Olliff tor a brace, and passed it a similar stroke which counted one. Siedeberg scored a single ■with a risky -stroke into the slips, and *t- the other end played a maiden over -from Relf. TWO MORE WICKETS GO. Eckhold treated Olliff's next with con- i Biderable respect, and did not score from : It. Siedeberg notched a pair and a i pm Ssz ixissa eS Relf, bringing SQ tug. I;

Eckhold -was again uncomfortable, playing Olliff's over, and the bowler scored his first success by having the batsman caught easily at point by Hadden. 82 3—31. Eckhold had played a safe, careful, but useful innings for 31. Macartney, next in order, was heartily cheered on his -way to the -wickets by the crowd, but he had the bad luck on his arrival i there to see Siedeberg play over the first . ball of Keifs over, which took his middle stump. S2—i—3B. Siedeberg played • free, attractive cricket for his runs. Macfarlane, the next batsman, stole a i single for a stroke from his first ball ; from Relf. and when he came to play Olliff hit him hard to leg for four, an"d , cut him for a brace. Macartney beo-an , by pulling Relf for four, and followed by driving him for a single, and at the . BWer end by cutting Olliff for one, bringi g oX Maofar l-™-- drove a full toss from Olhff to the off for four, and then cut hi m f or a bringing ONE HUNDRED UP. -and getting into double figures himself , played a maiden over from -Keif, and Taylor went on at Olliff's end, also sending down a maiden. Snedden took Relf's end, and was hit by the Australian for a couple. Taylor's over, the last « the day, produced a single to McFar-TO-DAY'S PLAY. RELF BOWLS MACARTNEY. The Plunket Shield match between Otago and Auckland was continued at the Domain to-day, when Otago, in response to Auckland's total of 579, resumed their innings with four wickets down for 104. The wicket showed very little signs of wear. 1c was ten minutes past eleven when Auckland took the field, being followed immediately afterwards by Macartney and McEarlane, the not-out men. Hemus was unable to play, bis place being filled by Gray. Relf opened the bowling from the Newmarket end, sending down a maiden. Olliff sent down ■the first over from the Hospital end, no score coming from the half-dozen. McFarlane opened the scoring by glancing Relf's fourth ball to leg for a single, a similar score going to Macartney for an off drive off the last. A single "to Macartney off Olliff, then McEarlane cut the same bowler hard to the boundary, and 110 appeared. A single to McFariane was the only further score. Relf's first ball McFariane cut to the boundary, and again cut his third for three. A drive by McFariane for a brace off Olliff's first ball brought up 120, a single to the same batsman coming off the second, while Macartney drove the next to the boundary. A maiden to Relf. A single to each batsman came off Olliff's first two balls, and a single to Macartney, then McFariane drove the last to the boundary, bringing up 130. Relf's over was resultless till the last bail, which Macartney drove along the carpet to the boundary, bringing his individual score to 20. Each batsman notched a single off Olliff's first two balls, the fourth and fifth being similarly treated, and 140 were hoisted. Macartney's downfall came in Relf's next over, the Australian eleven man hitting all over Relf's third ball, and was clean-bowled. 141—5—22. Hiddlestone partnered McFariane, and played out the remainder of the over. A single to McEarlane off Olliff's first, then Hiddlestone opened his account by banging his fifth ball a full toss to the boundary, and scored a single off the last. Relf's next effort was a maiden. With the score at 11)3 Olliff replaced Relf. Some time wits wasted in making the change, and the crowd became very unruly. The opening effort was a maiden. A double change in the attack was made, Taylor relieving Mason, a single to each batsman coming off the over, making McFarlane's total CO. The partnership was dissolved in Olliff's next over, his second ball catching McFariane in two minds and clean bowling him. McFariane had played nice cricket for his runs, and played all the bowling with confidence: 195—6—60. Hopkins filled the gap, but did not stay long. Olliff getting one past him with his fifth' ball: 197—7—0. Hopkins had the doubtful honour of securing the first duck of the match. Fisher was next, and nearly lost his wicket with Olliff's last ball, which he patted back just too short for the bowler to reach. Hiddlestone reached tho thirties by putting Taylor's second ball to the boundary, and brought up the second century by "repeating the stroke off the fifth ball. 200 UP. Olliff sent down a maiden, after which Hadden took Taylor's place, a single to Hiddlestone coining off his third and a boundary to Fisher off his fifth, all through" the slips. Hiddlestone survived an appeal fol lbw off Olliff's first ball, and drove his second for a single, the only score from the six. Hadden sent down a maiden, and the luncheon adjournment was taken with the score at 209 for seven wickets. The first change in the howling -was now tried, Mason taking Olliff'3 place at the hospital end amid&t applause. A single to McFariane came off Mason's -third 'ball, the only score from the half dozen. 150 tip. MaFarlane reached the forties and brought the grand total to 150 by square-eutt'iu*- Relf's fifth ball for a brace, the only score. A single to Hiddlestcme off Mason, who was noballed, and then a single came to each batsman before the over ended. A single to Hiddlestone off Relf's first ball was the only product of the over. Two singles to H-iddlestone and one bo McFariane off Mason, then Hiddlestone brought up 160 by driving Relf's fifth ball for three. Pour came off Mason's over, a leg bye, a. couple of singles to Hiddlestone, and c single to McFariane, and one bo McFariane off Relf's last balL Mason was again no-iballed, MxiFarlane pasting the delivery to the boundary, and 170 was on the board. A single to Hiddlestone off Relf, then McFariane reached the half-century by cutting the last ball of his over for a brace. Four came from Mason's next half-dozen, a single to each and a -brace to Hiddlestone, while Relf's over only produced a couple to McFariane. Hiddlestone notched a single off Mason, bringing him into the twenties, and placing 180 on the board. A maiden to Relf was followed by a single, and a brace to McFariane and tt single to Hiddlestone off Mason. Relf s first five balls were resultless, but the last Hiddlestone drove to the on boundary, a beautiful stroke. Mason <was pitching them up very high, but the batsmen were playing him confidently, and five came off, the over bringing up 190. On resuming after luncheon, Hemus took his place in the field. Olliff opened tme bowling to Fisher, a maiden result, ing, a result which Hadaen's opening over also obtained. Another maiden to Olliff, then Hiddlestone started the scoring by glancing Hadden to leg from which four were run, the ball stopping an inch fro mthe line. Still another maiden to Olliff, then Hadden, with the first ball of the over, clean bowled Hiddlestone with a ball that kept very low. Hiddlestone. Jia£ jpjajred nicely, for his

total of 43, his driving especially being good, 213—8—43. Downes joined Fisher, and survived a confident appeal off Hadden's first ball, playing out the remainder of the over. A short single to Fisher off Olliff, then Taylor missed a very hot one-handed catch, the batsman expressing his gratitude by drinving the next for a single. A single to Downes off Hadden for an overthrow was the only product of Hadden's over. Downes let go at Olliff's second ball and sent it over the boundary, bring up 220, the 11 runs having taken 25 minutes. A single came to each 'batsman before the over terminated. A 'brace to Downes, off Hadden, then Fisher had a narrow escape of being run out, Sale failing to gather in the ball. A single to Fisher, then Downes survived another appeal for lbw, scoring a brace off the last ball of the over, making his score (13) in nine minutes and bringing up 230. Off Olliff's next over Fisher notched a single, a like score coming from* Hadden's half-dozen. A leg glance for a single to Fisher made his score 10, Downes adding a single to his total from Olliff's fifth ball. A single to Downes, then Fisher, after having an appeal for lbw given in his favour, failed to survive the next appeal, and was out lbw to Hadden. 234—9—10. Beale, the last man in, played Hadden's last ball. A single to Downes, one to Beale, and another to Downes came from Olliff, then Hadden terminated tho innings by clean bowling Downes. Hadden had taken all three wickets since ■lunch, the total reaching 237. Following are the scores:— AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Horspool, c Rutherford, b Fisher .. 37 Hadden, b Downes 3 Hemus, b Macartney, c McFariane .. 109 Relf, c Wordsworth (sub.), b Macartney .. 118 Olliff, b Macartney 4 Brooke-Smith, b Macartney 44 Snedden, c McCartney, b McFariane 24 Sale, run out 121 Mason, c Macartney, b McFariane.. 40 Anthony, c Eckhold, b Siedeberg .. 37 Taylor, not out _, 17 Extras .\. ..4......-.. - 101 Total _. 679 BOWLING ANALYSia 0. M. R. W. Macartney _ 49 17 115 3 Downes 47 11 142 1 Fisher 39 12 98 1 MfcFarlane 31 0 85 3 Rutherford ..._...„ 14 2 75 — Hopkins .._,...-,.„. 2 — 7 Hiddlestone 3 1 9 Siedeberg ._,.,..,... 04 — 29 1 OTAGO.—First Innings. Wilson, b Belf 5 Eckhold, c Hadden, b Olliff 31 Ruthe-rford, c Relf, b Hadden 4 Siedeberg, b Relf „._ 38 Macartney, b Relf 22 Macfarlane, b Olliff CO Hopkins, b Olliff _ , 0 Hiddleston, b Hadden .... ~..., 43 Fisher, lbw, b Hadden 10 Downes, b Hadden ...,._., 17 Beale, not out ~ 1 Extras , 0 Total 237 BOWLING ANALYSTS. Hadden took four wickets for 50 runs, Relf three for 60, Olliff 3 for 72, Mason none for 27, Taylor none for 11, Snedden none for 2. OTAGO'S SECOND INNINGS. In their second innings, Otago have lost ono wicket for seven runs, Siedeberg being bowled by Olliff for 3. The New Zealand Cricket Council have asked that the ball used in Auckland, first innings, and with which the record score was made, be handed to them for presentation to Lord Plunket, the donor of the shield. Eckhold, of the Otago team, who brought off the sensational catch which terminated Auckland's innings, had possession of the ball, which he has handed back, and the Auckland Association intend presenting him with another in its place. SELECTOR OF NEW ZEALAND TEAMS. MR. D. HAY .APPOINTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council has appointed Mr. Douglas Hay sole selector of the New Zealand teariis for the Test matches against the Australian team. Mr Hay has seen all the cracks of the Dominion in action this season during t_6 Plunket Shield matches. HAWKE'S BAY'S CHALLENGE The Hawkc's Bay Cricket Association have suggested March 4, 5, and 7 as tho dates for the Plunket Shield matoh against Auckland. The matter will be referred to the New Zealand Cricket Council. THE HAWKE SHIELD. COMPETITION FOR MINOR PROVINCES. Lord Hawke, the famous captain of Yorkshire, who has perhaps done more than any other man to spread the popularity of the great' English national summer game throughout the British Empire, being impressed with the impetus given to cricket in New Zealand by the institution of the Plunket Shield and the engagement of professional playercoaches, and being desirous of seeing the improvement in play and increase of public interest general throughout tho Dominion, has offered to send out from England a shield or cup for competition among the minor provinces and subdistrict cricket' associations, commencing with the season 1910-1911. This further evidence of his Lordship's real and lively interest in New Zealand cricket will in due course be placed before, the New Zealand Cricket Council for consideration.