THE CRICKET MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 19, 23 January 1929, Page 6

THE CRICKET MATCH.

If the match between Wellington' and Auckland could have been played out on a public holiday, the exciting finish witnessed by a few hundreds yesterday would have aroused the enthusiasm of thousands. For it was a stirring contest, and the gallant fight put up by the Auckland team under adverse conditions well- deserved admiration and applause! Wellington may be said to have had luck in winning the toss and putting up a big score on a perfect wicket, while Auckland, batting on a crumbling wicket on the fourth day, had to struggle hard to make headway. But, on: the play, the visitors were undoubtedly superior, chiefly in the matter of bowling, and no-one can grudge them their victory. Wellington is thus still in the running for the Plunket Shield, but we do our visitors the justice of assuming that they were much more anxious to beat Auckland than to win the trophy. It may be admitted that competition for the Plunket Shield and the Ranfurly Shield has tended to increase public interest in cricket and football, and by .inciting the players to emulation it has helped to raise the standard of play everywhere. But all who have followed these competitions in recent years must be aware that the local rivalries engendered by them have manifested themselves in undue keenness, which occasionally imparts a tone of- bitterness into' otherwise friendly games; and this last Plunket Shield match was not wholly free from such unfortunate incidents.