THE END IN SIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 13 January 1926, Page 8

THE END IN SIGHT.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH. AUCKLAND MAKES 287. VISITORS' POOR START. - The fifth day, but the fourth day's actual play in the Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury was continued at Eden Park this morning. When play ceased on Monday —there was no play yesterday—Auckland had lost seven, wickets for 241, which was quite good considering the tricky wicket and the failing light. Yesterday morning heavy rain put the playing field inches under water, and an adjournment was made till to-day. An inspection of the wicket showed it to be in excellent order. "It's wonderful how the wicket has dried up," remarked a member of the Canterbury team. "We have every chance now." Smith continued his innings of 38, unfinished, taking Gerrard to the wicket with him. Talbot opened the bowling at the Kingsland end to Smith and got a lot of pace on. Without being of a dashing order both Smith and Gerrard scored with nice shots. From 241 the total was taken along, and when it reached 266 Smith had 50 to his credit, while Gerrard, who was not too confident, fell to Sandman. When he had put on one more, Smith, playing forward to Read, missed the ball and was given out for a catch by Brunton behind the wicket. It was hard luck for the Auckland skipper. 278—8—51. Simpson came in and partnered Gerrard, but the Auckland trundler did not i last long, and after making half a dozen he went out to have a whack at Sandman, and, missing the ball, was not at home when Brunton knocked. 287— 9—6. Scott, the last man, survived three balls from Sandman, but the next was the "nigger," and came right round the batsman's legs to spread the wicket. 287—10—0. Sandman had played havoc with the batsmen and secured seven wickets for 99 runs. Canterbury in Again. Wanting 281 to win, Canterbury opened their second innings with. Cox and Gregory, the pair who had been responsible for a first wicket stand of 114 in the first innings. When the Aucklanders took their places Horspool was behind the wickets with the gloves, but after the first over the reason was provided as Scott, who kept wickets in the visitors' first innings, was put on to bowl. Player bowled from the Dominion Road end, and off his first over Cox and Gregory each, got a single. Mills was absent from the Auckland team, and Saunders fielded for him. They were not to repeat their performance of Saturday, as Cox went early. He had made only four when he got in front of one from Player, and was out Ibw. 10—1— i. Page joined Gregory, only to see the ■latter leave without adding to" his score of half a, dozen, Player clean -bowling him. 15—2—6. As the dismissed batsmen, Cox and Gregory, had made 87 and 58 respectively in the first innings, to get the pair out for a total of 10 to-day was indeed good for Auckland. Talbot and Page were not going to take any risks, but while the intention was good the execution was not, and Talbot was clean bowled by Scott before he had opened a credit account. 18—3—0. The three dismissed batsmen .in the first innings had made 179 between them, but to-day they went for 10. Canterbury now required 271 to win, with seven wickets to fall, and with the outfield absolutely dead the task was a big l one, as the runs were almost confined to singles. One forcible drive by Page did reach the boundary, and Gasson got one to leg. Scott was sending them down fairly fast and keeping a fine length, which kept the batsmen quiet. Only nine runs had been knocked off him when 32 was hoisted on the board. Cooper came on in place of Scott, and his first ball Page lifted to leg, Snedden just failing to get under it. Smith worked a double, change, going on himself, in place of Player. a nd should have bagged Page second ball, when the batsman went out to meet him and missed. Horspool also missed, and Page had a life. At the luncheon adjournment the score was three for 36, the not out men being Page 15, and Gasson 9. The 36 runs had occupied just an hour. Two Quick Wickets. Upon resuming after lunch Scott took the pads and gloves and went behind the wickets. Horspool .going in the field. In the first over Page-gave Scott a chance to stump him, but escaped. It w"as the second life he had had. Smith bowled a maiden to Gasson. Cooper just missed a maiden to Page, the latter getting a single off the last bowl of the yer. Page then got himself out. He tipped a slow one from clip to cover. There was no chance of a run but he started off down the pitch and Gerrard, sending the ball back smartly. Scott whipped off the bails. 42—4—18. Woods, who made 124 not out in the first innings, then came in and partnered Gasson, who at that stage had made 12. Woods drove Smith to the boundary, and later ran two, bringing the total to 50. When he had made 20 Gasson went forward to a ball from Cooper, which broke back, and Scott stumped him 56—5--20. Smith should have had Woods next over, as he lifted the ball to Sanders, who dropped an easy catch. The fielding was particularly good at this stage. Canterbury's first five wickets on Saturday had realised 238, but to-day only produced 56. Horspool was fielding brilliantly, and three hot shots in succession he stopped in great style. Simpeon, who was lolling against the fence, fumbled a ball which came his way and allowed it to reach the boundary. "After returning the ball he propped, himself against the fence again, and when somebody shouted, "What about a couch, Smith," the Auckland captain signalled to Simpson to get away from the fence. McEwin was willing to have a %o at the bowling, but it was of the kind that chances could not be _ taken with. Brunton, with a Lite cut, got a three, and then Woods sent on to the boundary past point. At 3 p.m. the score was five wickets for 100, Woods being 35 and Brunton 15. Scores:— i AUCKLAND. I First Innings 416 Second Innings. A. Anthony, st Brunton, b Sandman 56 I. W. Cooper, b Sandman 5 R. Frater, c Bnmton, b Sandman SS S. G. Smith, c Brunton, b Read .. 51 E. Horspool, b Read ~. 6. K. C. Snedden, b Sandman ........ 4 J. E. Mills, b Sandman ~ A. S. Player, c McEwin, b Talbot 10 P; Gerrard. not out 25 J. Simpson, st Brunton, b Sandman (S A.. Scott, b Sandman 0 Extras 29 Total 287

Bowling; Analysis. o: m. \w. r. Bead ™.*•...**. 31 6 2 71 Sandman »*«..* 28.75 1 7: 99 Findlay .•.:«..»■ 8 0 0 22 McEwin ...-.,... 5 0 0 28 Talbot m- .-- 15 0 1 38 Fall of -wickets: One for 136; two for 156; three for 172; four for 183; five for 194; six for 220; seven f0r ? 241; eight for 278; nine for 287; ten for 287. CANTERBURY. First Innings » 423 Second Innings. A. .Cox, lbw, b Player :«..*».« 4 G. R. Gregory, b Player .« 6 R. O. Talbot, b Scott • 0 Page, run out .x.*-**:* 18 Gasson, st Scott, b Cooper ...•..;*.;.:• « 20 Woods, not out •*«•*(«»*■ 35 Brunton, not out .......« m sh~iw<« 15 Extras ••••••*•••«••-•>.« k «.«w>««>>* 2 Total for five wickets ............ 100