A COLLAPSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 11

A COLLAPSE.

AUCKLAND OUT FOR 121

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH.

WELLINGTON SCORES 596.

McGIRR'S DEADLY BOWLING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day. The Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Wellington was continued in fine but dull weather. Wellington, with eight wickets down for 576 runs, continued their innings. Lambert (27) and Massey (4) resumed batting, and runs came at a fair rate against the bowling of Player and Matheson. Massey chopped a ball from Player on to his wicket. 596—9—10. Brice was the last man, but Lambert was bowled by Matheson. McGirr's Sensational Start. Wellington took the field at 11.40 a.m., and Bowley and Mills were the opening batsmen, against McGirr and Massey. McGirr in his third over bowled Mills. 7—1—1.

Anthony, tho newcomer, saw Bowlcy drive Massey for four, and then was bowled by McGirr. 11—2—0. Cooper filled tho gap. In Massey's next over Bowley was clean bowled by a beautiful ball. 13— 10. Hendy took strike, but Cooper fell to McGirr. 17—4—4. McGirr had now taken three wickets f°r 11 runs, and Massey one for 4. Dacre was loudly applauded on going to the crease. Massey had five men at short leg, but Hendy got one through for four, and then drove Massey to the sight screen. Thirty appeared quickly, but Hendy attempted to drive Massey, and Worker took a hard, low catch at midoff. lit)—s—l6. Player went in, and Dacre hooked McGirr brilliantly for four. The innings had been going 45 minutes. The Auckland innings close.; at *2 45 for 12L FIRST DAY'S PLAY. TWO CENTURIES SCORED. LOWRY AND JAMES BAT WELL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday.

Batting against Auckland in the first innings of the final Plunket Shield match to-day, Wellington scored 576 for eight wickets—a first innings record in Shield matches. Lowry (181) and James (108) were the most successful batsmen. The wicket was essentially a batsman's, and the outfield, due to the long spell of dry weather, was very fast. Up to the luncheon adjournment the Auckland bowling was extremely steady, Player in particular having maintained an excellent length. On resuming, Matheson and Player took up the attack, and Lowry and Badcock quickly got into their stride. Lowry reached his half-century in 66 minutes and Badcock his in 83 minutes. Bowling changes had no effect on the scoring rate. When Lowry was 96 he was nearly stumped off Anthony, Rowntree failing to take the ball. His 100 came when he had been at the wickets for 99 minutes. Bowlint Mastered. The bowling was now fairly mastered, and runs were coming off almost every ball. Badcock reached the 90'g with a boundary off Mills, but it was his last scoring stroke, as Mills clean bowled him with an off-break. He had been at the wickets for 133 minutes for his 91, which included 14 boundary shots. He had assisted Lowry to put on 207 for the fourth wicket, a record for Plunket Shield cricket. 308 —4—91. James joined Lowry, who continued to play brilliant cricket. He drove a ball with such force off Cooper past cover that the ball struck one of four pigeons on the outfield and stunned the bird for a time. The tea adjournment was taken with the board showing four wickets down for 377, Lowry being 153 and James 35. On resuming, Matheson and Player were entrusted with the attack, but there was no cessation in the scoring. Lowry aroused enthusiasm by offdriving Matheson for four and squarecutting the next delivery to the ropes. His brilliant innings came to an end with the next ball from Matheson. Lowry's score included 24 boundary shots. 411—5—181. , McGirr partnered James, who was 45, and there was a lull for a time. James reached his half-century in 70 minutes. In Matheson's next over he captured his second wicket, McGirr being smartly taken by G. L. Weir at second slip. 425—0—5. >. Taylor, the Nelson professional, opened with a square cut for four off Matheson. After a spell of quiet play James flashed Mills past cover to the ropes and repeated the stroke. Taylor in the same over turned one to the pickets 'at long leg, 13 coming from the over. James 1 next opened out to Anthony and lifted to the track at long-on.

James Warmly Applauded. At 460 Bowley had another try with the wind, Dacre coming on at the other end. James late cut the Auckland captain's first ball for four and sent the-fourth to the square-leg boundary, and squarecut the next to the pickets. This placed him in the 80's. The Nelson professional soon reached the 30's. Bad fielding by Anthony at cover gave James four off Bowley. James reached his century with a four off Player. This was a splendid performance, following his century in the Shield match at Dunedin, and the crowd warmly acknowledged it. With his score at 108 James was snapped up behind the wickets by Rowntree off Player. He had been at the wickets for 130 minutes, and hit 19 fours. His partnership with Taylor had put on 101 for the seventh wicket. 526—7—108. Lambert joined Taylor, who was 43, and opened with two boundaries. Taylor was smartly taken in the slips by Anthony when he reached 61. Stumps were drawn at 6.30, when the board showed eight wickets down for 576. Scores:— WELLINGTON.—First Innings. . R. de R. Worker, c Matheson, b Anthony 23 C. A. Dempster, b Player v 71 H. Foley, lbw, b Anthony . 0 F. -T. Badcock, b Mills 91 T. C. Lowry, b Matheson 181 K. C. James, c Rowntrec, b Player . 108 H. M. McGirr, c G. Weir, b Matheson 5 J. S. Taylor, c Anthony, b Mills ... 01 H. M. Lambert, b Matheson 41 H. B. Massey, b Player 10 W. S. Brice, not out 0 Extras 3 Total 596 Bowling: Matheson three wickets for 109, Player three for 129, Anthony two for 109, Mills two for 57, Dacre none for 54, G. Weir none for 77, Bowley none for 34, Cooper none for 21. AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Bowley, b Massey 10 Mills, b McGirr. 1 Anthony, b McGirr 0 Cooper, b McGirr 4 Hendy, c Worker, b Massey 16 Dacre, not out 4 Total for live wickets.... 35