THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 6

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Auckland has pnt a very fine eleven into the field for the Plnnket Shield matches thia year, and on sheer merit the trophy has been retained. True it had the lack of the toss) and the weather in the mateh which was so handsomely won to-day, but when the team was in the South the position was reversed and the Auckland representatives were at the wieket under less favourable conditions than their opponents. There have been periods in the past when Plunket Shield games were dominated by two or three outstanding players, sometimes by one or two imported by one or other of the provinces as a player-coach. During the fillet decade, however, home talent has developed to such an extent that mora than once some province has found its professional coach omitted from the eleven on merit, and during that period no professional player has occupied a more outstanding place in any of the teams than the best of the local amateurs, so that in effect these provincial matches retain practically an amateur stains throughout, ensuring a spirit commensurate with the best traditions of the game. The captaincy of Postles, wfio has led the side with signal success in three of the last four series of matches, has been an important factor in the success of the side, while another outstanding feature has been the splendid all-round work of Vivian. The only spin bowler in the side, he had to faee up to a heavy responsibility and he came through the ordeal most creditably, both with bat and ball. His five wieketa for 46 runs and his seore of 40 on thp last day of the Otago match combined to make a memorable performance, while in the mateh just concluded bi» bowling was the rock on which Wellington's hopes were wreeked.