CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 308, 29 December 1924, Page 8

CRICKET.

THE PLUNKET SHIELD

AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY. CANTERBURY ALL OUT 214. :By Tele.raph. Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The representative cricket match between Canterbury and Auckland in connection with the Plunket Shield competition was continued at Lancaster Park to-day in line weather. On account of 'the sodden state of the wicket after yesterday's rain it was impossible to start play nt 11 a.m.. and it was 1.10 p.m. before the game began. When play started the attendance of spectators was small. In their first innings on Christmas Day. Canterbury made 214 for the loss of nine wickets. The innings to-day was continued by Boon (17). and Meßeth (8). Smith howled from the north end to Boon. OH" Smith's sixth ball Boon plavcd an uppish stroke, and Wilson took n flood catch low down. Boon's wicket fell without any addition to the

score. Auckland commenced their first innings at 1 .•-•"> P-m. The opening batsmen were Horspool and Dacre. Read bowled from the north end and his first over was a maiden to Horspool. j Mcßeth bowled from the other end. j Dacre scored a couple off Mcßeth's last delivery. He would not have got the runs had not the ball slipped out of Sandman's hands when he was returning it to the bowler. The bull flew across the centre of the pitch, and the batsmen were able to run two. Horspool opened his account with three off Read, and then Dacre pulled him to the leg boundary for four. Mcßeth's second over was a maiden to Horspool. In Read's third over Dacre scored one, and Horspool a couple and double figures were on the board. Canterbury followed with TG for two wickets under conditions which were certainly not less difficult, and they made the runs at a much faster rate. The difference is very largely accounted for by the very fine bowling of the Canterbury trio. Mclieth, Read and Cunningham. While Read bowled remarkably well, he did not bowl as well as Mcßeth, though he got much better figures. These would have been even better had there been a fine leg for him while Smith was in. The fine leg shot is the Auckland skipper's "long suit," and in the absence of a fine leg at either end he was able to exploit it to his heart's content. Later a man was put there for Mcßeth, but not for Read. Canterbury's fielding was quite as good as that of the Aucklanders had been, and that is Irish praiac. Worthy of special mention were Oliver's three catches snapped up within a few yards of the batsmen. Auckland Batsmen Demoralised. There »is little to be said of the Auckland batting. Very fine bowling on a difficult wicket had them well demoralised. Smith's effort, under the circumstances, was worthy of all praise. For just on an hour and a-half he showed the soundest of defence, and lost few opportunities of scoring. Indeed, at times he made opportunities. Gillespie was very Bound in defence, and his partnership with Smith was easily the best of the innings. Like his captain, he made a lot of fine scoring strokes that smart fielding on a heavy ground made abortive. Horspool played a lot of good cricket for his total of 13, but it was a wild stroke that got him out. Canterbury did very well to get 76 for two wickets in their second venture. After giving a difficult chance off the first ball, Blunt gave the opposition no further hope, for his defence was the essence of soundness and restraint. Gasson batted just as confidently, and showed more enterprise than Blunt, but he took more risks,, and he got out in trying to hit a half-volley to square leg, from which he was leg before. Oliver took some risks in scoring his 15, 11 of which came from the last over of the day—a very loose one from Dacre. Details of the scores are: — CANTERBURY. Eirst Innings 214 Second Innings. Blunt, not out 24 Gasson, lbw, b Smith 21 Crawford, c and b Dacre 12 Oliver, not out 15 Extras 4 Total for two wickets 76 AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Horspool. c Crawford, b Mcßeth .. 13 Dacre, c Mcßeth, b Read 8 Krater, b Cunningham 0 Smith-, c Pandman. b Read 30 Elliott, c Oliver, b Mcßeth 4 Metge, not out . ... n Monteith, b Read .... 0 Garrard, b Read 2 Wilson, c Oliver, b Read 0 Gillespie, lbw, b Read , 16 Allcott, c Oliver, b Cunningham .. ti Extras g Xotal 88 Bowling Analysis: Read, six for 38; Mcßeth, two for 2(3; Cunningham, two for 18.