PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17700, 28 February 1923, Page 11

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH.

CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON.

A CLOSE GAME. Tlio match continued at Lancaster Park yesterday, and now neamig its finish, ig one of the most remarkable, and certainly one of the most stubbornly contented games in the historv of Pluukot Shield matches. The first day's play gaw Canterbury v.-ith a first, innings total of 225—a'fnir score considering the heavy wicket. The second day's piny showed up the apparently superior batting of the visitors, and thov- left tlio ground on Saturday with, as most people thought, a mortgage on tho Shield. Eut Monday's play, which established a record in that Canterbury played through the day for tho loss of only three wickets, saw a wonderful recovery bv the local men, ami yesterday's 'play so much further improved their position that the chances are now in their favour. Indeed, at one time Wellington's position looked well nigh hopeless, and -hat was when, shortly after 5 o'clock, their soventh wicket fell, and thev were in tho position of still requiring 173 runs with only three wickets in band. But a very plucky and determined stand by Collins and Hatchings so far improved their chances that at 0 o clock, when pl :l y was adjourned, with the three wickets in hand. It certainly now looks. to be in Canterburya favour, but while Collins lasts Wellington must still have, a good chance, for, in Hatchings and Con«ijiiJc he has partners who arc cfipable of staying with him. The conclusion of the match, which is fixed for 2 o clock this afternoon, will bo watched with very keen interest. _ The continuation of Canterbury's innings yesterday morning did not open promisingly, for Blunt and Patrick the heroes of Monday's fine partnership, did not get going, and as sandman was soon disposed of Wellington did not seem likely to have a big second innings total to get. But a very solid partnership between Gregory and Powell added 73, and improved Canterbury's game so much that i V iL CU O oo end came Wellington were ! . , JT t0 8 et —a fairly substantial total ior a fourth innings. Gregory played very sound cricket for his° 51 In club cricket he is inclined to the happy-go-lucky style, but there was nothing of this characteristic about him yesterday, for he played the bowling right through confidently, and in very correct stylo. His scoring Btrokes were uniformly good, and one or two of his square cuts were the best seen in the match. Powell, after showing obvious signs of nervousness at first, played himself in, and thereafter batted very soundly, though he did not show much in the way of scoring strokes. He was apparently satisfied with what Gregory was doing at tho other ond.

Wellington's out-cricket was again first-class. ' Throughout the long innings tho bowling had never got loose, and Canterbury had good reason to be proud of thoir total of 432 against such good bowling and fielding. Wellington's second innings was rather sensational. Hiddleston started off in such brilliant style that it looked possible that Wellington would hit off tho runs during the afternoon. Read, who had opened the bowling at the south end with a couple of loose overs, changed ends with Cunningham, and from then on bowled like a champion. Cunningham, though not quite as accurate, was almost as good, and in about half-an-hour the pendulum swung strongly to Canterbury's side. Collins, however, saved the situatipn, and by. playing out time with Hutchings revived Wellington's hopes. Collins played an exceedingly sound knock for his 46. The bowlers were heartened by their success, and took a lot of playing, but the Wellington skipper's defence was equal to the strain, and it was a fine back-to-the-wall display, with occasional good scoring strokes. Hiddleston played beautiful cricket for his 30, but had the good fortune to get three or four loose overs at the start. Baker batted in very good style for his 23, whilst there were some beautiful scoring strokes in Kortlang's 23. The Canterbury men were glad to see his back, and it was then it dawned on people that Canterbury still had a good chance of victory. Canterbury's out cricket was first-class all round, for whilst Read and Cunningham wero bowling so well the fielding was equally good, and Brunton at the wickets largely retrieved his lost laurels, for he stopped some very difficult stuff, and there were only four byes debited against him. The weather yesterday was perfect for the game. The pitch wore well, though an occasional; ball got up awkwardly, but this was only to be expected, seeing that over a thousand runs had been made on it. The at-' tendance was not large during the day, but Canterbury's fine recovery brought quite a crowd down at 5 o'clock. £77 was taken at the gates, making a total for the four days of £293. The Play. On play being Tesumed at 11.5, Henderson from the south end and Brice had charge of the bowling. Play was quiet for a couple of overs, and then Patrick back-cut Brice prettily to the pickets. Aldersley, who had had quite a number of hard knocks on the previous day, got a hot one on the foot and retired, Ronaldson fielding in his place. On resuming, Patrick put the first ball sharply into the slips, where Collins held the catch at the second attempt. 318—5—75. Sandman joined Blunt, and the latter got his first score, after 25 minutes, cutting Henderson i sweetly for a four and three. Sandman got the next to the third man boundary, but the next ball took his leg stump. 339—6—8. Gregory filled the gap, and very good bowling kept the batsmen quiet, a couple of pairs going to each. Then Blunt lifted Brice to the leg boundary, sending 350 up for five hours forty minutes' play. This was his last, for he then hit one into Hiddleston's hands at slip. 353-—7 116. Powell was next, but was scratchy to Brice, and Gregory sent 360 up with a three, one of them being an overthrow. Th l * gave him double figures. Hutchings replaced Henderson at 365. Singles took the score along to 370, and Powell back-cut Hutchings for three. At 376 McGirr replaced Brice, and Gregory reached 20 with a pair to leg. At 384 Dempster bowled in place of Hutchings, and Powell put him over slips' head for four. Powell was now batting much more confidently. Henderson replaced McGirr, and Gregory off drove his first for four, and cut his next magnificently to the fence. McGirr took the ball from Dempster, who had had only one over, and play was quiet for several overs, the bowling being very accurate, the score being at 399,f0r quite a long time, but then Powell got the required single, and 400 went up for six hours thirtv-seven minutes' play. Aldersley, who ' had returned, replaced McGirr, and Gregory sent him to the square leg boundary, a further pair taking him to 40. Powell reached 20 with a three to the off, and at 415 Brice relieved Henderson. The luncheon adjournment was taken with the total at 420. On resuming Henderson from the

south end and Bricc took up the bowling. Gregory reached his. 50 for an hour and 32 minutes' batting. After another single, however, he was l.b.w. to Brice. 426 —B—sl.8 —51. Read went in, but in Henderson's next over he touched one which Condliffe, at short stop, held. 427 —9—o appeared as Newman, the last man, went in, and Powell sent 430 up with a pair past point. Another pair to the Biccarton man, and i then Brice beat Newman all the way. The innings had lasted seven hours twenty-five minutes. Hiddleston and Baker commenced Wellington-'s task of making the 283 runs required to win. Read opened from the south, end, and 1 after a single to Hiddleston Baker got one to the leg fence. , Cunningham bowled at the other end, and Hiddleston got him to leg .prettily for four, nine coming off the over. Hiddleston reached doubles by lifting Read over the bowler's .bead for four. Twenty went up as the- result of a lovely straight drive by the same batsman, and ho reached 20 with a pretty four to leg. Two overs to each bowler, and the total was 29. Newman then replaced Read, and nine oame off the over. Read went on at the other end, and with his third ball clean bowled Hiddleston. !& —1— 30. Kortlang followed; and banged a short one to the on fencs, and after a little slow play the same batsman, with a fine off-drive for four, sent 60 up for thirty-five minutes' play. Runs came slowly for a time, Read sending down three maidens in succession. Baker got a lucky four through the slips, and with a pair to leg sent CO up. Baker then gave Blunt a difficult chance at forward short leg. After riiore slow play, Baker put one into Newman'a lianas at short leg. 65—2—23. Dempster was next, and got a single by chopping an off ball to fine leg, which almost grazed hi 9 wicket. Kortlang reached 20 by sending a full toss from Cunningham to the leg boundary, but the next one beat him all the way. 76—3—21. .Collins was next, and at 83 Newman replaced Read 1 for the last over before the tea adjournment. On, 1 resuming, Cunningham bowled from the eoutli. end, and off the fourth hall Dempster edged one up to forward ' short leg, where Blunt just got to the catch but could not hold it. In the same over Dempster got a nasty blow from a rising ball and temporarily retired, Aldersley filling the gap. Read bowled from the other end. and' in his second over beat Aldersley all tlie way. 88—4—2. McGirr joined his skipper, but Read's first ball skittled his stumps. 88—5—0. Brice went in .with still 200 to get, and Wellington's chances now very much reduced. Collins reached doubles with a pair past third man. One hundred went up for an hour and three-quarter's play. At 102 Sandman replaced Cunningham. His first over cost nine, but the third ball of his second over took Brioe's middle stump. 113 —(3 —9. Dempster resumed his interrupted innings, and with two singles added, Cunningham bowled again in Sandman's place. His fourth ball beat Dempster all the way. 115—7—7. Hutchings was the ingoer, and Collins broke the monotony of the slow play by on-driving Cunningham finely to thepickets. A couple of singles made him 30. Runs came steadily, and 130 went up. At 132 Sandman replaced Cunningham and four came off the over. Newman went on in place of Read, and during very quiet play 140 went up. Singles took Collins to 40, and still more singles carried the total to 150 for 2-} hours' play. At 152 Gregorv replaced Newman, and Collins broke a succession of eight singles with a pair to the on. At 156 Cimninsdiam. went on in place of Sandman, and Hutchings broko a succession of ten singles with a pair to leg. Blunt took the last ox-er of thei day, and play was adjourned with the total at I<Jl for seven wickets. Scores:— CANTERBURY. First Innings. R. C. Blunt 1442211414212121113. b Brice 44 R. do R. "Worker, 11211131411112111, "c Baker, b Hutchings . "7 R. O. Talbot, 1111122111*2141, b Hende'r»on .. .. ..23 R. E. Gregory, 1344, b McGirr .. ..12 h. R. Brunton, 111. b Brice .3 W. R. Patrick, 434414114411111141114134, :bw. b Brice _ .. .. 53 D. IL Sandman, 24, c Condliffe, b Hendersun .. .. .. .. 6 R. .F. J. Powell, 12212 H, lb-.v, b Brice .. 10 H. Head, 11141414. c Henderson, b Brice 17 TV. Cunningham, 41111, b Brice 8 J. Newman, 1, not cut ..3 Byea 112111114112 .. ..17 Leg byea 11 .. .. 2 Total ..-■ 225 Bowling Analysis—W. S. Brice, 2G.6 overs, 5 maidens, 65 runs, 6 wickets; H. 11. McGirr. 16 overs, 4 maidens, 34 runs, 1 wicket; M. Henderson,'l7 overs, 4 maidens, 49 ram, 2 wickets; TV T . A. Aldersley, 10 overs, 2 maidens, 2a runs; J. Hutchings, B overs,

1 maiden, 27 runs, 1 wicket D. 0. Collins, 3 overs, 1 maiden, 6 runs. Second Inninga.. L. B. Brunton, 41111, run out .. .. E W. Cunningham, 1121112121111113111124-

11. b Henderson .. •• ..33 K. de R. Worker 1112111112133181144431133, b Alderßley .. ■.. (..48 R. C Blunt, 31112121114122411111144118414241212421123142111141143224, c Hiddleston, b Brio© .. .. ..116 R. 0. Talbot, 313122111121, lbw, b Aidersley .. .. .. .. 19 W. R. Patrick, 2421112111141114114411114!!114, o Collins, b Brice .. ..75 D. M. Sandman, 1124, b Henderson .. 8 R. E. Gregory, 122123121111121144112421131211, lbw, b Brice .. ..51R. F. J. Powell, 121131114113111122, not out, 38 R. Read, o Condliffe, b Henderson .. 0 J. Newman, b Brico ~ .. .. 0 Byes, 1242421142111342111 .!' .-38 Leg byes, 21111111 ... .... •• 8 Total -.432 Bowling Analysis—"W. S. Brio?,. 46.1 overs, 12 maidens, 109 runs, 4 wicketa; M. Henderson, 36 overs, 8 maidens, 94 runs, 3 wickets; H. M. McGirr, 19 overs, 2 maidens, 88 runs; J. Hatchings, 12 overs, 1 maiden, 69 runs; W. A. Aldersley, 12 overs, 2 maidens, 63 runs, 2 wickets; D. C. Collins, 3 overs, 1 maiden, 16 runs; J/ S. Hiddleston, 2 overs, 14 runs; S. Dempster, 1 over, 4 run*. WELLINGTON. First Innings. J. S. Hiddleston, 4421441141111113114111111114, b Cunningham .. .. S\ TV. A. Baker, b Newman .. ... 0 B. J. Kortlar.g, 1343113211111412111111111124111112, b Cunningham ..53 S. Dempster, 1111114112111111121121- ! 111. c Brunton, b Newman .. 31 D. C. Collins, 211111141112111181111111, run out .. •• ■• ..31 S. M. McGirr, 4411141112314, c Sandman, *b" Cunningham .. •■ _ •-. \ 6 a "W. S. Brice, 4123161, c Powell, b Read 18 J. Hutchings, b Read .. •• .. 0 W A. Aldersley, 2144241144211111211231121, c Read, b Blun> .. ..43 W J Condliffe, 8123121121224114112112, ' b Read .. s9 M Henderson, 111342491. not out ..19 Byes, 444144111242418 .: 40 Leg byea, 1111211111 .. .. U ■Wide. 1 - •• l _ Total S7O Bowling Analysis—R Read, 82 oveTS, 8 maidens, 96 runs, 3 wickets; J. Newman, 2'3 overs, 5 maidens, 54 runs, 2 wicketa; D. M. Sandman, 17 overs, 2 maidens, 58 runs; W. Cunningham, 25 overs, 6 maidens, 73 runs, 3 wickets; R. 0. Talbot, 5 overs. 1 maiden, 16 runs; W. R- Patrick, 5 over?, 1 maiden, 15 rums, 1 wide; R. C. Blunt, 2.1 overs, 4 runs, 1 wiciket. Second Innings. J. S. Hiddleston, 143444244, b Read .. 30 W. A. Baker, 42111111142121, c Newman, b Cunningham .. .. ..23 B. J. Kortlang, 141411144, b Cunningham 21 S; Dempster, 1111111, b Cunningham .. 7 D. C. Collins, 13111223112112241111211111111211, not out :. 46 W. A. Aldersley, 11, b Read ..2 H. M. McGirr, b Read 0 "W S. Brice, 11241, b Sandman 9 J.'Hutchings, 1311111111112, not out .. 16 Bves, 1111 .. •■ f. Leg byes, 111 •■ - : ■• 3 Total for 7 wickets .361 Read got 3 tor 45, Cunningham !i for 64, Sandman 1 for 22, Newman 0 for 15, Gregory 0 for 4, and Blunt 0 for 4.