WORLD RECORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 15

WORLD RECORD.

PLUNKET SHIELD. FEAT BY AUCKLANDERS. CARSON AND WHITELAW DAZZLE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Friday. The Plunket Shield cricket match between Auckland and Otago was commenced yesterday in ideal batting conditions, Auckland winning the toss and compiling the fine score of 550 for five wickets. A record partnership for the thud wicket between P. E. Whitelaw (195) and W. Carson (290), which yielded 445 runs, was responsible for placing Auckland in a splendid position to win the match outright. Unfortunately for Auckland there was no play to-day owing to rain. The partnership of 445 broke not only the previous Plunket Shield third wicket record of 222 established by N. C. Snedden (130) and S. G. Smith (91) for Auckland against Hawke's Bay in 1920-21, but also created a new record for any partnership in Plunket Shield matches. It set a new world's record for the third wicket, the previous best being that of 389 made by W. If. l'onsford and S. J. McCabe for Australia against M.C.C., at Lord's, in 1934. Bad Start— Quick Recovery. Auckland's innings did not- start very promisingly, both Dunning and Weir being bowled by Silver, and with two wickets down for 25 runs the position for Otago looked fairly good. It was then that Carson and Whitelaw became associated, however, and with a perfect wicket to assist them and nothing in the bowling to worry them unduly they settled clown to steady scoring that was to last almost the whole of the day's play. Whitelaw's batting was restrained, but right from the start Carson set about the bowling in workmanlike fashion, and let no opportunity of scoring pass. The young left-hander batted in vigorous* style, putting a great deal of < power into his shots, and reached his first 50 in 45 minutes. Auckland's 100 came up in 83 minutes and alter he had been in for 136 minutes Carson completed his century. The batsmen brought up 200 after 156 minutes, and when light, misty rain commenced to fall they found conditions even more to their liking. Whitelaw reached his century shortly after Carson had made 150. Whitelaw's 100 took him 198 minutes. 300 Up in 190 Minutes! Auckland's total came to 300 shortly afterward and successive changes of bowling failed to shake either the confidence or scoring power of the batsmen. The partnership realised 300 in 190 minutes and the pair continued to pile up runs. Carson reached the 200 mark in the short time of 210 minutes, his second century having taken only 64 minutes. When Whitelaw was 138 he lifted a hard shot to Chettleburgh, at mid-off, but the fieldsman failed to hold.it. Almost simultaneously Carson broke 250 and the partnership mounted to 400. With his score at 290 Carson appeared to have a good chance of breaking the record individual score for Plunket Shield cricket, but he drove a ball from Dunning hard to mid-off, where Silver held a great catch. Carson scored 38 fours. Whitelaw was unfortunate in not securing his double century as he wanted only five runs when he was completely beaten* by a "wrong 'un" from the slow bowler, Groves. He hit; one six and 21 tours. Wallace batted confidently, for his 31 not. out, but Vivian returned a catch to Dunning when he was 10. Stumps were drawn with five wicketa down for 550. Scores: — AUCKLAND.—First Innings. P. E. Whitelaw, b Groves 195 E. J. Dunning, b Silver 0 G. L. Weir, b Silver 11 W. Carson, c Silver, b Dunning 290 W. M. Wallace, not out 31 H. G. Vivian, c and b Dunning 10 Extras 13 Total for five wickets 5501