WAIKATO LEADING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 305, 26 December 1944, Page 6

WAIKATO LEADING

CRICKET AT DOMAIN

GOOD FIRST WICKET STAND

Two runs in twenty minutes indicates the defensive nature of the opening Waikato batsmen, J. E. Mills, the former Auckland and New Zealand representative, and A. Hope, the former Riccarton senior In Christchurch cricket, when the match against the Auckland Suburban representatives was continued at the Auckland Domain this morning. Overnight Waikato had 65 runs on for no wickets (Mills 27 and Hope 31) in reply to Auckland's score%of 124. In twenty minutes' play this morning Dunning and Bracewell sent down six maiden overs, and then Mills, with a crisp cover drive, got a two amid applause. Hetherington,' the slow, spin bowler, was brought on and the field was set deeper. Both batsmen showed neat style in their respective ways, and did not try to force good length bowling. The score was carried to 82 before Hope was caught by Woods at mid-on. He had played a sound and good innings. Mills began to find the gaps with placed shots on both sides of the wicket, and with stylish and free battmg got to 47, when he reached forward at a flighted ball from Hetherington and was completely beaten. Noel McMahon, former Auckland representative player, did not get going, but Taylor got a dozen quickly. Half the Waikato team was out for 112 runs. Clark, with the help of Kemp, one of the colts of the team, carried the score past the Auckland total, and at lunch Waikato had 133 runs on for the loss of five wickets. „ On the first day Auckland openec. on a difficult wicket, and was out for 124 runs. In the early stage P. Stace with 23 and F Woods with 18 made a stand. The only other batsmen to make a stand were G. Woolley with 15, and Bracewell with 19 not out. iWith steady bowling Skeet, Clark and Winger divided the wickets. The Waikato fielding was good.

Scores:— AUCKLAND.—First Innings. I. Axon, c and b Clark 3 P. Stace, c Winger, b Sheet 23 P Woods, c McMahon, b Skeet 18 A. Dunning, b Clark ; R. Witheridste, c Hope, b Winger 7 F. Bell, b Winger 9 11. Organ, c Siddle, b Skeet 3 a. Woolley, b Skeet 15 C. Wyberg, c Ekeet, b Clark 7 J. Braccwell, not out 19 J. Hetherington, c Siddle, b Winger 7 Extras 9 Total 12* Bowling: Skeet four wickets for 39 runs, Clark three for 32, Winger three for 36, Aitken none for 8. WAIKATO.—First Innings. J. E. Mills, b Hetherington 47 A. Hope c Woods, b Hetherington 38 C. siddle. lbw, b Hetherington 6 J. Taylor, lbw, b Woolley 12 N. McMahou, b Woolley 2 R. Kemp, o and b Hetherington, 15 M. Clark, not out 41 R. Parr, not out 23 Extras Iβ Total for six wickets ..:.... 200