RAIN SPOILS GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 2, 4 January 1933, Page 3

RAIN SPOILS GAME.

Little Play Yesterday. — Hampton's Good Showing. (By Telegraph. — Special to "Star.") DUNEDIN, this day. Cricket followers in Dunedin have good cause for disappointment concerning the Otago-Auekland Plunkct Shield match, and yesterday was another disappointing day. After interest had been aroused in the game to an extent not known for some years, only an hour an a quarter's play was possible, and this in two spells, .separated by showers. The public interest in the game was again manifested by the presence of a large morning crowd, who remained until three o'clock, when it was finally decided to draw stumps for the day. By that time the wicket was in such a state as to make it utterly impossible for play. When play was resumed' the wicket was naturally a good deal affected by

[Monday's rain, but when the first ball I was sent down shortly after eleven, it 1 was seen that conditions favoured the batsmen, and although the bowlers were enabled to turn the ball, there was no nip in the pitch. Weir, who opened up the attack, kept a good length and spun the ball, forcing the batsmen to watch the flight of the ball carefully. His 28 overs included nine maidens, and though he claimed only one wicket at a cost of 49 runs, he bowled better than his figures indicated, and several times just grazed the wickets. Vivian, from the other end, also tinned the ball perceptibly, but here again a lack of pace from the pitch made the deliveries fairly safe, and he did not prove really troublesome to the Otago batsmen, 42 runs coming from his sixteen overs. Mathcson bowled at a medium pace and always kept a good length and secured one wicket yesterday morning. This brought his bag to four wickets at a cost of 7"> runs off 29 overs. Garrard also secured a I wicket, his slows being well pitched up and forcing the batsmen to hit. Ho was more impressive than Vivian throughout. Smith did not add any to his overnight score, and from a flick, which deflected one of Weir's deliveries to Wliitelaw, he was caught out. Wliitelaw fielded well throughout. Leader stayed 011 and batting very solidly indeed, was still uneonquered with 35 when play was brought to a close. This young lefthander negotiated the off-balls well, and on several occasions placed the ball through a closely guarded slip Held for runs. He never really looked like getting out. Dunning, while making 13, batted confidently. The ex-Aucklarider looked like staying until the Auckland score had been passed, but in swishing at an off-ball from Mathcson, he just touched it and was well taken by Hampton behind the wickets. It was left to Chettlcburgh to make the stroke which assured Otago of h first innings lead, the feat being loudly applauded by the interested spectators. Chettleburgh continued batting confidently and well until he made rather a wild hit off Garrard, and the ball went to square leg, when Wliitelaw got under it and held a nice catch. Chettleburgh made 26, mostly by front of wicket shots. He and Leader ran some very smart singles. One of the features of the match has been the wieketkeeping of Hawksworth for Otago, and Hampton for Auckland. Hampton has shown himself to be an accomplished 'keeper, and one who seems destined for higher honours before long. He is young; and does his work in a very smart manlier, without any unnecessary flashincss. His taking of difficult leg balls has been good throughout, and he has shown himself to be a two-handed 'keeper, ever alert for Opportunities.