THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14901, 14 February 1914, Page 5

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

CANTERBURY v. OTAGO.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION T**IJMEJ__.) DUNEDIN, February 13. The Plunket Shield match, between Canterbury and Otago was commenced at Oarisbrook this afternoon* under perfect weather conditions. The wicket was in splendid order, and the outfield crisp and fast. The Canterbury captain won tho toss, and scut his men in to bat. Whitta and Caygill opened to tb.9 bowling of Torrance and Ramsden. Both batsmen availed themselves of every chance of run-getting, running smartly between tho wickets, and the scoro soon ran into double figures. After running into the thirties, both batsmen setued down to establish, a useful partnership. At 33 Downes was sent on ™_ b ° w J, « place of Ramsden. lb© half-century, was brought up after forty minutes' play. Whitta seemed fairly a t homo to Downes's bowiuig, his innings being almost perlect. With tho scoro at 68, Torrance was relic-red W McFarlane. Other changes of howling were tried, but they 11 n S r .'-'?*'-t on tho batsmen, particularly vixitta, who was scoring rapidly a ?°7-cleanly. Subsequently Whitta. Stayed a ball from McFarlane to cover, and the batsmen ran for a single, but Siedeberg smartly threw Caygill out. Hayes was tho incoming batsman, but in the last ball of his over Downes gob him caught and bowled, wrtli the score at 110. Bishop came in, but a moment later Whitta was caught by Downes at second slip off McFarlane—a smart catch. The retiring batsman had given a "sound, smart display of batting. . Patrick came in to bat, and lifted Downes clean over the rails for six, -and a couple of balls later cut one past cover to Siedeberg, who dislocated his thumb in attempting to stop it> causing a temporary suspension or play. Henderson came on to field in place of the Otago captain, and Downes took ever tho captaincy. When ileal joined Patrick, he got going at once, rapidly running into double figures. At 14 Patrick gave a chance to Torrance, off Downes, but the fieldsman failed to stop the ball, which travelled on to the rails. Tho score reached 100, after an hour and three-quarters' play. Beal was dismissed a fow minutes later, being caught and bowled by Downes, who took a smart one-handed catch, which was only held after a little juggling. Watson came in. With the score at 212 for six wickets, Watson stepped out to Torrance, and was smartly stumped by Chadwick. Patrick secured his century amidst a vigorous round of applause, and he evoked a similar tribute from the spectators when he swung a ball from Downes high over the rails into the Kum trees for six. After this' lively display his end came swiftly, Chadwick smartly catching him at the wickets off Tuckwell just on tho close of play for the day. Scores: — CANTERBURY. First Innings. Whitta, c. Downes, b McFarlaxio .. 61 I Caygill, rra out .. ..10 J Hayes, c and b Downes .. 3 | Bishop, Ibw, b Downes .. 0 Patrick, c Chadwick b Tuckwell .. 118 Bear, c and b Downes .. .. ..10 Watson, at Chadwick. b Torrance .. 28 "Wilson, c Tuckwell, b Downes .. -..'l3 Thotna*, not out .. .. .. 03 Extraa .. .. ".. 7 16 Total'for eight wickets .. ..32. Bowling 'Analysis.—Torrance took one wicket for 7G runs, Ramsden nono for, 53, Dowries four for 166, McFarlane one for 5, Tuckwell ono tot 16.