PLUNKET SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 15

PLUNKET SHIELD.

REVERSE FOR HOLDERS. OTAGO BEATS CANTERBURY. VICTORY ON FIRST INNINGS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday. After further time had been lost through rain the Plunket Shield cricket match between Canterbury, winner of the trophy this season, and Otago was concluded at Carisbrook to-day, resulting in a victory for Otago by 107 runs on the first innings. Although showers had fallen during the night, it was possible to resume play promptly at eleven o'clock this morning, but a shower drove the players off the field for a few minutes during the morning and further rain caused an adjournment at 12.42 p.m., the resumption of play being delayed until 2.45 p.m. At the adjournment Otago declared its second innings closed with seven wickets down for 241, leaving Canterbury the impossible task of making 349 to win. At one stage it appeared that Otago might be able to force an outright victory, but Canterbury stubbornly held out until 5.36 p.m., when, owing to failing light, stumps were drawn with five wickets down for 151.

Canterbury opened its second innings in bright fashion, Kerr immediately striking form and giving a fine display of clean hitting. however, again fell an early victim to Dickinson, and Hadlee was caught in the slips off the same bowler. Dickinson, who bowled two wides in his first over, was again no-balled frequently. In trying to score off these deliveries, Hadlee was on one occasion caught and on another clean bowled. Cromb, who hit the eighth eix of the match, was beaten by Dunning, and Roberts was caught in the slips, four wickets being down for 77 before tea. Otago at this stage appeared likely to force a win and when Kerr was beaten at 109, Canterbury was in a dangerous position. Kerr had shown his true form in making 59 in 92 minutes, and hit four fours and a eix. Long before this stage Canterbury had been forced to adopt the most stubborn defensive tactics, and a great deal depended on the ability of Pafie and Butterfield to keep the Otago bowlere at bay. They succeeded in a fashion that did them both credit, and, although they had to endure some scornful comment from the spectators, they probably saved the game for Canterbury. As a result of Butterfield's consistent playing of the ball with his pads, no fewer than 13 leg byes were included in the extras. The Otago bowlers, handicapped by a wet ball and unresponsive wicket, did well to dispose of the early Canterbury bats-, men bo cheaply. The conditions reduced , Dickinson's value as a fast bowler. Cavanagh made liberal use of Chettlcburgh, but the latter's slow deliveries could not tempt the batsmen to play risky shots. Dunning and Elmes again bowled well. The standard of Otago s fielding was fully maintained, Uttley again , saving many runs in the outfield. Scores:— OTAGO. First innings 2^ Second Innings. Badcock, c Cromb, b Graham 18 Saxton, c Jackman, b Graham 11 Uttley, c Jackman, b Page 30 Talbot, Ibw. b Butterfield ......-••• 6 ? Toomey, c Roberts, b Butterfield .. o Elmes, c O'Brien, b Graham •>- Chettleburgh, not out •••■••■ ~- Cavanagh, st Jackman, b Graham .. t Kerr, not out JO Extras *■* Total for seven wickets, declared 241 Bowling: Roberts took no wickets for 39 runs, Andrews none for 5, Graham four for 50, Bellamy none for 41, Cromb none for 24, Page one for 14, Butterfield two for 55. CANTERBURY. First innings 141 Second Innings. Kerr, b Elmes fi 9 Bellamy, b Dickinson [ Hadlee, c Chettleburgh, b Dickinson 11 Cromb, b Dunning ... .. • !•* Roberts, c Elmes, b Chettleburgh .. 0 Page, not out 24 Butterfield, not out f£ Extras £l Total for five wickets 151 Bowling: Dickinson took two wickets for 27 runs, Chettleburgh one for 42, Dunning one for 15, Elmes one for 14, lalbot none for IC, Badcock none for 15.