THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 12 January 1926, Page 8

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

N AN INTERESTING STAGE. NO PLAY TO-DAY. AUCKLAND'S SECOND INNINGS' When Canterbury's first innings yesciday morning closed for 423 they had m advantage of seven runs over Aucknnd's iirst effort and the position was nost interesting. The wicket was wet md tricky, but the greatest factor in the gaiic was the light. Certainly the jpening partnership between Prater and Anthony contributed 130 runs, but it ivas towards the middle of the afternoun when the light became really bad, in fact it was a surprise to most of those present that tlie match was not idjourned till to-day. As a matter of 'act the Auckland captain, Smith, did ippeal to the umpires and, after a short consultation on the field an adjourn- ] ment was made for 20 minutes, and the match then continued. Sandman, tlie ; skipper of the Canterbury eleven, was inxious to go on, which was quite all right from his point of view, because lie knew that under the conditions then prevailing he would probably bowl right through the team. More than once Brunton, behind the wicket, let the ball _o unsighted, and it was proof of the bad light existing when, instead of being almost perched on top of the wicket, he stood back anything from balf a dozen to eight yards. All things considered Auckland did rather well to put together 241 for seven wickets when stumps were drawn for the day and though, taking a line , through the batting in the first innings, the visitors appeared to have the best prospects, the men from the South will have a fair debit to wipe off to-day. Yesterday afternoon Prater and Anthony, who opened Auckland's second innings, rattled up 136 before they were separated. With the wicket drying all the time the advice given to Anthony and Prater to stop was being obeyed. Though Read was breaking well and keeping a good length, the Aucklanders were showing a lot of confidence. Frater had a narrow escape from being bowled by Read, and then Talbot, with the total at 82, took the bowling over from Findlay. At 2.45 the score was no wickets for 82. Anthony scored a single, then Frater got one past point for a couple and a single, making four off the over. The fielding was smart, but so also was the running. Frater may not be a stylish bat, but he was using a variety of strokes and scoring faster than Anthony, and he received a round of applause when his contribution reached the half-century. The partnership was a fine opening one, and even the most optimistic of the Auckland team did not expect such a fine beginning. Runs came surely and at a fnir rate. With a drive for a single Anthony put 100 on the board after 00 minutes' play. Then Frater with a Jeg glance put a couple to the credit of the second 100. Frater was putting a lot of weight behind his shots directed on tlie leg side, and every now and again bo secured a boundary. Anthony was driving more but getting runs, and giving no chancs. The Gregory-Cox partnership, which produced 114 on Saturday, was passed. At 3.10 the score was none for 110, Anthony being 40 and Frater 01. Anthony took his score along to the half-hundred, and Frater was then over 60, still going strong. In the hope of breaking the partnership, Sandman, whom the batsmen bad appreciated at the opening of the innings, came on to howl again, giving Read a spell. When 53, Anthony gave a chance when he snipped a hot one from Talbot into the slips, Gasson flipping the ball. Without adding to his score he fell when he played forward to Sandman and missing, Brunton whipped off the bails— 13G—1—56. First Wicket Falls, at 136.' At 3.30 p.m. the score was Auckland -one wicket for 136 runs. Cooper, who had made 70 in his first innings, joined Frater and opened his ecore with a single off Sandman. "Tlie wicket has improved a lot since morning," said Anthony, when taking off his pads. "But it is stjll a bit tricky in patches. It's not a. batsman's wicket, and every ball has to ho watched." Read had taken Talbot's turn at howling when the score stood at 154. a total which would have -been considerably more had the outfield not been so dead. It was puUing the ball up, and shots which wo"uld have been /boundaries on a fast outfield had the hatsmen running to get a single. Still, they were doing very well, and while Cooper put five singles to his account Frater ran along to the eighties. Cooper was not billed to repeat his first innings score, as he played. Sandman on to the ,wicket. 156—-2 —5. Smith filled the breach and played out the remainder of Sandman's over, scoring five, a single and a boundary tc Jeg. He survived an appeal for Ibw made by Brunton. The Auckland skipj>er was not confident when facing Read Sandman bowled a wide, but the next iball broke considerably and"gave Fratei a fright. At the tea adjournment tin ecore"was two for 170 (Frater not oul 88, Smith not out 7, extras 13). Without adding' further to his scor< Frater was snapped up behind tin wicket by Brunton, off Sandman. Smitl continued to peg away, getting a rui now and again, but Horspool and Sned den did not stay long, Horspool beinf howled by Read when he had contri hutcd five, or one more than Snedden who had his wicket disarranged whet Sandman sent down a ball which broki in right behind the batsman's legs Mills also fell to Sandman, who firsi treated the young Aucklander to a wide A little later the Canterbury skippei skittled Mills' wicket. The light wa_ very bad and the batsmen were in difficulties. Player swiped at almost everything that was sent to him and ran bis score up to 10, but with the last ball of the day he was caught by McEwin at mid-on off Talbot. The first wicket had produced 136 runs, but the next six went for 105. Scores; —■ AUCKLAND. First innings 410 Second Innings. A. Anthony, st Brunton, b Sandman 56 R. Frater, c Brunton, b Sandman.. 88 I. W. Cooper, b Sandman g S. G. Smith, not out 33 Ei Horspool, b Read ; c N. C. Snedden, b Sandman.. £.* 4 J. E. Mills, b Sandman._..,.:. 7 A. S. Player, c McEwin, b Talbot... fc lo Extras/ 27 , Total for seven wickets 241 Fall ot" wickets: One for 136; twe for 156; three for 172; four for 183: JBye for 194; six for 220; seven for 241 V :/'■"• '■/:''•' • CANTERBURY. First innings ~...'...,......... 42! *v_ -. ■ - I _T j .

NO PLAY TO-DAY. RAIN CAUSES ADJOURNMENT. Just on half-past ten o'clock this morning the rain which had been threatening to fall yesterday afternoon and this morning came down in torrents. For an hour there was no cessation and Eden Park was soon inches deep in water. Cricket was out of the question, and it was decided not to continue the match till tomorrow.