CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 12

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD.

OTAGO BADLY BEATEN.

(PBISS ASSOCUTXOX TILBQXUC.)

WELLINGTON, December 30.

Wellington have made a good start in this season's series of Plunket Shield matches, gaining- an overwhelming victory by 446 runs over Otago in the initial match, which was concluded at the Basin Reserve. Wellington's two strikes realised 448 and 379 respectively. Otago could reach no further than 207 in their first innings, and were faced with the tremendous task of knocking up 620 on a crumbled wicket in order to stave off defeat. Otago's leading batsmen did not fare too well, and when stumps were drawn yesterday, six wickets had fallen for 122. Upon resuming to-day, Otago met with disaster almost immediately, Zimmerman being sent back after scoring only a single. Blamires and Cherry were unable to make a long stay, arid Torrance could not survive his" opening ball. Green, the visitors' wicketkeeper, who makes no claim to batsmanship, came to light with a forcing knock for 30, and H. C. Alloo, who carried his bat, shaped soundly. However, after a fairly lucrative last wicket stand, the end came at 174. Wellington thus won by 446 runs. The detailed scores are: —

WELLINGTON. First Innings .. - - - ■ *^ s Second innings •• •• ..379 OTAGO. Pirtt innings •• ••• ■• OT Second Innings. J. Shepherd, b Badcock .. ** ? R. C. Blunt, c Lambert, b Bnco .. 38 A. Knight, c Hollings, b Badcock .. 19 R. Cherry, b Badcock .• , •• if J O Dickinson, c Hiddloston, b McGirr Jo \. \V. Alloo, b McOirr .. • • 19 K. C. Blamires, Ibw, b Badcock . . 7 C. Zimmerman, c Holltags, b Badcock 1 H. C. Alloo, not out .. • - <j R. Torrance, e Rollings, b Badcock .. 0 Green Extras -« • • • • il ToUl .- ' "* Bowling AnaJ/sis —Badcock, seven tor 69- McGirr, two for 86; Lambert, none for 1; Brice, one for 28; Hollings, none for [The Press Association message omitted Giecn's nama in the detailed scores, and did not atato how he wenl out.]

TO MEET AUCKLAND. WELLINGTON TEAM CHOSEN. [THE PEESB Special Service.] WELLINGTON, December 30. The following team hos been selected by Mr K. Tucker to represent Wellington in tho special match at Auckland, to bo played at the Baain Reserve on January 7th, Bth, and 10th:—D. C. Collins (captain), H. M. McGirr, H. Lambert, K. James, A. M. Hollings, B. J. Kortlang, T. C. Lowry, F.• T. Badcock, W. J. E. Christophersou, Mitchell (Hawko's Bay), and G Orr (Wanganui). Emergencies: H. R. Massey and W. Airoy. Hiddleston, "Worker, Brioe, and Hendorßon ■were not available for selection.

OTAGO TEAM. (PRBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 30. The Otago team to play Auckland, commencing at Dunedin on Saturday, will bo tho same as that which nrct Wellington. AUCKLAND TOURING TEAM AT NAPIER. (FBBBS ASaOCIATIOK TKLMBAM.) NAPIER, December 30. E. C. Beale's Auckland touring team today defeated tho Hawke's Bay colta eleven by three wickets. With three wickets down for 36, the local side took the second innings total to 215, Beaney, 80, and Pirie, 70, shaping well. Coates bowled well, capturing eight for 72. Auckland left with 235 to get to win, secured the runs with the loss of seven wickets, Monteith knocking up 106 in fine style. Whitelaw 37 and Butler 24 were the best of tho othorff.

M.C.C. TEAM IN INDIA. (by cable—press association—coptbight.) (australian and h.s. cable association.) CALCUTTA, December 29. The M.0.0. team scored its sixth victory in India, defeating Europeans in the East by an innings and 55 runs. The Europeans in the first innings made 146 (Johnstone 35). M.0.0. in its first innings made 326 (Sandham 112, Astill 41, Earlo 41). In the second innings the Europeans made 125 (Guiso 49). Bowling: Boyes 7 for 52.