CRICKET.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16406, 28 December 1918, Page 10

CRICKET.

PLTTNKET SHIELD MATCH

WELLINGTON BEATS CANTERBURY.

That Wellington wrested the Shield from Canterbury yesterday 6hould cause no regrets. The fine recovery that our men made, the closeness of the finish, and the all-round excellence of the play were calculated tc make one indifferent as to the fate of the Shield after such an interesting and exciting contest. "Wellington has never had the honour of holding the Shield before, whilst Canterbury has held it for so Ion? that the whereabouts of the coveted trophy was a matter -of eome doubt until a "few days before the match. The %cqumtion of the Shield should do cricket a lot of good in Wellington, whilst the loss of it should be equally beneficial to the game here., as i) will have shown that Canterbury will need to look to its cricket if it is to regain its position as the leading nr^vinty*. It will be generally adnutted that the beat 6:de won, but the opinion may be hazarded that there is little between the sides that took part in the match, and the two wickets victory probably fairly represents Wellington's superiority. The luck that is inseparable from the game was fairlv evenlv divided, and there are few but will admit that Canterbury did quii<? as well as they were expccted to do. The conditions yesterday were again ideal, a cloudless sky ly»ing tempered bv a cool easterly wind.' The wicket woTe surprisingly well, and the visitors were loud in their praise of its lasting dualities. Considering it was not a holiday there was a very gocJ attendance, the sum of £39 being takeu at the gates. That Canterbury were enabled to make the fine recovery they did, and so provide an interesting day's play yesterday, was very largely due to Gray's great display of batting. _It waa more than a display of battin?: it was an exhibition d ixyptraiit that is seldom seen from a batsman of Gray's type. Everyone knows him for a hitter, but he had his back to the' wall in the second innings, and it wag a marvellous exhibition of t>i fiance to bat for 2 hours and 12 minutes and get a century, before he once himself go. It .was the innings of hia life, for ho . played the good bowling confidently and correctly, always picked out the righi ball to hit, and then laid it on with clean and powerful strokes all round the wicket. Brunton played excellent cricket for his 39. He had a.life early, for ho waa clearly caught at short leg, but the umpire must have lost the flight of the ball, and thought it wis a bump ball. After this Bruuton batted really well, ehowinsr pound defence and f»ood scoring strokes. McEwin atoned for his lack of bfv* l i*T T bv scoring 27 runs, and ho made them' by very sound defence, with, "&t times, some good scoring shots. . Wellington's second irniinsr« Canterbury's to the extent that m°et of the batsmen with 'reputation* failed, wlii'et Ih-> later ones "made good."' When Baker, Lambert, McGirr, Hiddl'atone, and Bind had been dismissed and fiv<*' -wickets were ddwil for 89, the game was decidedly in Canterbury's favour. But Burton then came to the rescue with an -innings that was worth a lot more than the actual runs hfe made' would indicate.. Usually a baitsmnn of the ngsressive order, he, like! Gray, showed admirable restraint ,' and played the game to get the rl ? n8 " ... Not on ly his defence sound, but his scoring strokes were masterly right through. Indeed, it is doubtful if better were seen in, the match. Brice's 50 was essentially a match-winning innings. ' That is to J 1 #. 1% P'aytd the "rock" game to the good bowhny, and his defence was. soundness itself- He picked out the hittable balls with unerring judgment, and scored from them with beautiful strokes. It was a fine innings, and_ all the more "creditable because of the trying conditions. Canterbury could have done with another good bowler, though the attack was not by any means weak. Mcßeth bowled magnificently. He kept -an ' almost n perfect length, and beat . the batsmen time and n Grain with balls that just missed the wicket. Thomas .was steady enough to keep down the runs fairly.well, bu,t he did not-as McBeth always did—look like bowling the batsmen. The Canterbury fielding was a marked improvement on that of the first innings, but the throwing in still left much to desiraL Brunton quite excelled himself as a wicketkeeoer. He not only, took three catches,, none of- which was easy, but 'he stopped a lot of fast balls on the leg side like a champion stumper: " A word of praise, is duo to the official J/ Jacobs, .'who kept the tally with the greatest celerity and accuracy. With the one exception mentioned, 1 the uroniraT " a =• V - aVKsra tc Ss fe ' 0 ® ' he ., nor . th ®pd, and Hiddlestone bad charge of bowling. , From Hiddleball Brunton gave an - easy -nance to Harris at forward short square v.l' « The catcli appeared to be held, but the fieldsman held it only momentarily, and iropped . it as he was eoing to throw it up rni. J ir - A n l p ? eal the -umpire was answered in the batsman's favour. After this both batsmen wereT.very cautious, but ' At 269 Hiddlestone was replaced by McGirr, and 6 runs later Lambert relieved Brice. Gray relished tho change, and the ..Wellington firsfc innings total was passed with a couple of fours to , A moment after Gray got single, f"»tuiy. Marris replaced McGirr, and the .sixth ball of the over .Gray lifted to deep square leg, where sq? / r ° no niistako about the catch. ; 34 T?- 10 Pv McEwin joined Brunton, and a full toss to the square leg- boun- , ry, the third century went up amid applause. ' Hiddlestone bowled again in place of McGirr. : A fin© off drive to Brunton off Marris sent 320 up. McEwin got a. lucky 4 past tho wicketkeeper, but Hiddlestone, in liis next over, bowled Brunton with a good one. 325—0—39. Mcßeth opened with a line off drive, and then off-drove Mams twice for 4 each,. both beautiful strokes. 1 hen McEwin tried to full toss, and was bowled, the .innings closing for 345, w ,/ our hours md ten . minutes' play. Wollington required 225 to win, and at 20 minutes to one-Lambert and Baker start* ed to the bowling of Thomas from the north end and' Mcßeth. After an over to each the players adjourned for lunch. On resuming, Baker got Thomas to leg fof 4, and 10 soon went up. A confident appeal for lbw was answered in Lambert's favour. A four to Baker to leg, and- a single sent 20 up, but then Baker was well taken at the wicket- 20—1 14. Mc« Girr .joined Lambert, who got a lucky 4 behind the wicket. . The next ho drove finely to the off boundary. In Mcßeth's next ? ) vc /. , Lambert off-drove a half-volley to Patrick, who took tho catch neatly. 32 2 16. Hiddlestone put an uppish one into but it fell , short. McGirr lifted Mcßeth clean over the long-off boundary for 6, sending 40 up. Fifty went up as tho result of an overthrow. Hiddlestone ran halfway down tho pitch for a singly but McGirr would not run, and it was only a wide return by Patrick that gave Hiddlestone a life* It made little difference, for next over Mcßeth beat him with a ball that actually touched tho wicket without shifting the bail. The next was a similar ball, and clean bowled him. 54 3 —7. Burton followed, but after getting a couple of singles Bruuton brought off another smart catch at the wicket, which Be tit McGirr back, 5&-4-19. Dind was - next, and got a loose ono to.the on for 4. McBeth was bowling a beautiful length, and irequently beating the batsmen,- whilst Thomas was also very accurate. Runs came very slowly, but Burton at last cot a 4 through a wild throw-in by Perrin, which went for 4 overthrows. Dind lifted Mcßeth high to the on for 4, asnding SO jup. A fine bit of fielding by Blunt saved a boundary- Dind got a nice 4to leg, but then lifted one to deep mid-oil, where Wood held the catch. 8-—s—l". Condliffe partnered Burton, and tho latter, with a fine on drive, sent v9O up. Gray relieved Thonia ß * y ico on , dnve to Burton, off Mcßoth sent ..400 up for an hour and 25 minutes'' play.. Gray bowled his fourth consecutive maiden, and Patrick gave Mcßeth a spoil. Condliffe had been in 28 minutes without soonng, but he then hit Gray to the square leg boundary. Thomas -replaced Gray, and Condliffe got a luqky 4 behind the wicket. Perrin replaced Patrick at 128, and singles gave Burton his half-century, after some Blow play. At 135 McEwin waß given the ball, and play was interrupted while tho umpire clcared the outfield of spectators. In McEwin s second over Condliffe hit at a roll-toss, and was clean bowled. 142 6—12. Allardyce got a similar ball, but he off-drove it for 4. Mcß.th replaced Perrin. and Allardjrce was well caught at the wicket. 147—7—1. Brice went in, and the lea adjournment was . taken immediately after,, J On resuming Brie® sent a hot chance to Blunt at short square leg, and a couple of singles sent 150 up. Brice opened out to Mcßeth, and got him finely to the on boundary, 160 being registerW. McEwin's next over cost 8, and Perrin replaced him Brice got him for a lusty 4 between cover and mid-off. The excitement grew as 180 went up. Burton drove Mcßeth grandly for 1, but the same bowler' then brat him with i beautiful ball. 18ft—8—66. McEwin twwled in place of Perrin, and Brice trounced his first ball—a short one—for 4. Ho then trailed him: through the open slips for 3, and -a eingje made 8 off the over. Hutching*; hit Mcßeth ;o square leg for 4, and 200 went up, leaving 25 still to get. Thomas took th» ball' from" McEwin, and Mcßeth badly fc--at Hutching Ihree balls ia succession. In Thomas's next B:ice hit him to the on bou'■< and only 15 runs were now required. Mcßeth aade a confident appeal for lbw, but Huich;ngs got the verdict. The eamo batsman put is uppish one through tho slips, and afiio

off driro to Brico sent 223 up. Only 4 runs wcro now required. A leg-bye, and then Brie© made the ' winning hit—& beautiful straight drive fo r 4. Wellington thus wan by two wickots. Scores: — CANTERBURY. First Innings. B. B. Wood, 142114141121411222, c Harris, b Hiddlestone .. .. . * 83 R. C. Blunt, 1111412411, b Hiddlwtone 17 X. Jones, 3, b McGirr .. .. $ W. R. Patrick. 221414, b Hrddl'-e'ton® .. 14 C E. Guinev, 1. c Harris, b Hiddlestone 1 E. G. Porrin, b HT3dleetono .. ... 0 J. Gray, 14112441111242114, c Baker, b Hiddlestone .: .. ..35 A. W. Thomas. 1, b Hiddlestone .. i J. McEwiu 1111112141, b Harris .. 14 L. R. Brnnton, 1111142111, not out .. 17 D Mcßeth, c and b Hiddlestone ... 0 Byes, 1i'2'214 ... .. 17 . byes, 4111 .. .. .. 7 No balls, 111 .. .. .! 3 T °t a l •• •• y .. 167 Boiling Analysis.— \\. S. Brice, 15 overs, 1 maiden, 45 runs, 2 no balls; J. S. Hiddlestone, '25.1 overs, 5 maidens, 53 runs, 8 wickets; H. McGirr, 11 ovcra. 34 runs, 1 wiokot; E. Marris, 1 over, 2 rune, 1 wicket, 2 no balls. ~ Second Innings. B. B. Wood, 11111121, b Brio® 3 R. C. Blunt, 2211, b Brire .. 6 A. V.'. Thomas, 11111, b Brice .. ..5 X. Jones, .11122112111114441114411111111 4141. st Condliffp b Hutchines . 57 W. R. Patrick, 1112414212251, b Harm 33 C. E. Guinev, at Condliffe, b Marris ; 0 J. Gray, 112111154441112144414141411412 4111121412111114411, c McGirr, b lis 7 r is .. 100 E. G. Pern i!, 444. b Hiddlestono .. 12 L. R. Bninton, 31142111111413121121141, b Hiddlestone ■ .. .. .39 J. McEwin, 1114141141422, b Morris !. 27 D. Mcßeth, 2141, not out .. ..11 Byes, 44441411 .. .. -.. 23 21112211111 ... ... 14 Wide, I .. .. .. .. 1 No-balls, 11 .. ..2 Total .. .. ..343 Bowling Analysis.—J. S. Hiddleatone. 26 overs, 5 innid< > ns, 82 runs, 2 wickets, 1 wide; W. S. Brice, 2s overs, 5 maidens, 57 runs, 3 wickets; B. Marris, 12.5 overs, 63 runs, 4 wickets; H. Lambert, 6 overs, 39 runs; J. Hutching-s, 3 overs, 15 runs, i wicket; J. McGirr, 10 overs, 2 maidens, 23 runs, 1 noball. WELLINGTON. Firet Innings. H. N. Lambert, 141644141414421144, o Btunton, b Thomas .. .. 51 J. S. Hiddlestono. 11111114441122, c Jonee, b Patrick .. ..25 M. J. Dind, 2, b Mcßeth .. 3 W. Baker, .1143111144444, o Thomas,- b ' Patrick .. / .. .. 33 H. E. Burton. 14141414414121, b Thomas ,33 H. M. McGirr, '4444111, b Patrick .. 19 I. Allardvco, 14, c Brunton, b Patrick .. 5 W.'S. Brice, 11214441, c Wood, b McBeth — .. .. .. ..IS <T. Hutchicgs, 114231111111, at Brnnton, b Mcßeth .. .. .. .. 18 J. W. Condlifie, 114442414144444, b Gray 4G B. Marris, 244, not. out .. .. 10 Byes, 1414414 .. .. 19 Leg-byes, 4111Q .... 9 ' tfotal .. ... 283

Bowling Analysis.—D. Mcßeth, 32 overs, 15 maidens, 1 71 tubs. 3' wickets;- J. McEwin, 4 oven; 36' runs- A. W.' Thomas, 31 overs, 5 maidens, 106 runs, 2 wickets; W. R. Patrick, 12 Overs, 2 maidens,' 42 runs, 4 wickets; E. G. Perrin, 1 over, l run; J. Gray, 15 overs, 4 runs, 1 wicket. Second' Innings. W. A. Baker, . •14111141, c Brunton, b Thomas .. .. ..14 H; N. Lambert, 21211441, o Patrick, b Mcßsth .. .. ■ ..16 H.M.McGirr, 11416111111, c Brunton, b.. '.. .. • .. .. .19 J. S. Hiddleetoiie, 241, b Mcßeth .*, . 7 H. E. Burton, 11144224244211112114112111 ■111112111114; b Mcßeth. '... 65 M.. J: Dind, 1411424," c "Wood, b Iteßeth. 17 J. "W. Condliffe,"44ll2, b McEwin , • ..12 I. Allardyce, 4, c Brunton, b Mcßeth .. 4 "W. S. Brioe, 111411241241214311114144,, not; OUt ; , •• .-.'50 J. Hutching®, ••141111121,.n0t out 13 : Byes, 111111 ■ '' .. .. 6 Lfeg-byes, 11' . ..'.'2 Total for eight wickets .. .. 226 Bowling Analysis.—A. W. Thomas. 24 overs, 2 maidens, 68 runs, 2 wickets ;"D. Mcßeth, 31 orMrs, 0 maidens, 86 runs, ."5 wickers; J. Gray, 6 overs, 4 . maidens, 10 nine: W. R. Patrick, 3 overs. S runs; E.'G.-, P<*rrin. 6 over.?,' 19 runs; ■J. McEwin, 7 orers, 30 runs, wicket. , - Of the 33 matches played Canterbury-ha£ won 19, "Wellington. 9, whilst ~6 have been drawn. ' RETURN MATCH. ' ' The return match with Wellington will bo played, in Wellington on tli£ 22nd of Ja-nuary. This will nlso, bo a Plunket, Shield match. . INTER-STATE MATCH. (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) injIitfOURNE, December 27. . The Inter-State' cricket match was again interfered, with by rain. Victoria's . first- innings eloped for 266. New South "Wales have lost 3 wickete for .37.

BOYS' CRICKET LEAGUE. No competition matches will be played today. A practice ' match between tho senior and junior teams selected to play 'Wellington on New Year's" Day will be clayed at Hagley Park district ground at 2.50, ■ 1 ■ A team from tho' Cust district visited Ba-, ngiora on Boxing" Day and' played a team from the local' branch of the Farmers'. Coop., the latter winninc. by 139 rvis. Vpr the Farmers' J. Cockroft made 66,, F. Mehrtons 61 not out. H. Fisher 47,. H. C. Wiloon 33, and. A. Shankland 10. For Oust D. McGregor made 50, and I. Mackenzie 16. Cockroft five wickots for 46 runs, and Mehrtcns two for 27, bowled well for the Farmers', and McGregor five for 52 and Mackenzie three /or 66 for Cust.