PLUNKET SHIELD

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19220, 28 January 1928, Page 16

PLUNKET SHIELD

WELLINGTON'S BIG SCORE. AUCKLAND BOWLING COLLARED. CENTURIES TO LOWRY AND JAMES. (rRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON January 27.

The final game in the 1927-28 Plunket Shield contest commenced at the Basin Reserve to-day between Wellington and Auckland. The long spell of dry weather has had the effect of making the wicket hard and true, and with a fast outfield Auckland were given a day's leather hunting.

Wellington's Eleven contains four New Zealand representatives, Lowry, McGirr, James, and Dempster, and the Auckland side two, Dacre and Mills. In this season's Plunket Shield matches so far Wellington.has secured two wins and Auckland one. "Victory to Wellington would make possession of the Shield a certainty. The teams are:— Wellington —W. S. Brice (captain), C. S. Dempster, H. B. Massey, H. Foley, .F. T. Badcock, R. de R. Worker, T. C. Lowry, K. C. James, H. M. McGirr, J. S. Taylor, and H. M. Lambert, with J. R. Lamason as twelfth man. Auckland —C. C. Dacre (captain), A. 11. Anthony, E. H. Bowley, I. W. Cooper, W. Hendy, A. M. Matheson, J. E. Mills, A. S. Player, A. F. Weir, G. L. Weir, and R. W. Rountree, with A. Williams as twelfth man. The umpires were Messrs C. Webb and L. T. Cobcrof-t, Wellington gave Auckland a day's leather hunting during which the local team compiled 576 runs for eight wickets, James (108) and Lowry (181) obtaining centuries.

First Innings Record. The wicket was essentially a batsman 's aud the outfield, due to the long spell of dry weather, was very fast. The total score represents a first innings record in Plunket Shield matches. The weather was beautifully fine and very hot, a strong northerly breeze making matters ideal for flighting the ball in the air. Dempster and Worker opened Wellington's innings to the bowling of Matheson (with the wind) and Player. Euns came steadily and the total reached 50 in 63 minutes. Weir came on in place of Matheson and Dempster scored freely off both bowlers. Nor could Dacre, who came on at 66, keep the scoring down, Dempster reaching his 50 after 75 minutes. He then banged a full toss from Anthony to the ropes at extra long on and in the same over hit another full toss to long leg for three.

Worker's Slow Scoring. Worker then hit Anthony to extra long on for four. This was his last scoring shot, however, as he popped the next ball into Matheson's hands at mid-off. Worker was at the wickets for 83 minutes for his modest score of 23, mostly singles. 85—1—23. H. Foley joined Dempster, who was 59, and arrived to see the Institute batsman sweep Weir to the fence at long leg. The colt failed to score, as he at onco fell lbw to Anthony, who had now taken two wickets for 32. 91—2—0. Badcock followed, and opened by car-pet-driving Weir to the track at long off. Player then came on and Dempster late-cut him for four, bringing the 100 up for 102 minutes' play. Dempster Bowled. This was the end of Dempster, as lie was bowled by the last ball of Player's over in attempting a hook. He was very restrained in compiling his 71, which included nine boundary shots. 101—3—71. Lowry and Badcock. T. C. Lowry was the next batsman, and play again quietened down. Lowry then hooked a short one from Anthony to the. square leg boundary, bringing 120 up. After a spell of quiet play Lowry smacked Anthony to the sight screen. At 136, Bowley, the Sussex professional, came on for the first time, three singles coming from his opening over. Dacre then took the ball from Anthony, who had bowled well over a long spell. Badcock should havo been run out at 139, a bad return by A. Weir to Eountree from cover allowing him to get back from half way down the pitch. The 150 came up in 140 minutes,:"Lowry and Badcock continuing to score freely. ' The luncheon adjournment was taken with the score at 165 for three wickets, Lowry being 35 and Badcock 33. The Auckland bowling had been extremely steady up to this stage, Player in particular having maintained an excellent length in capturing one for 31 off 90 deliveries.

Buns Scored Freely. On resuming Matheson and Player took up the attack, and Lowry and Badcock quickly got into their stride, boundaries or threes coming in quick succession. Lowry reachod his half century in 66 minutes, and Badcock his in 83 minutos. The 200 came up for 168 minutes'play. At 227 G. L. Weir took the ball from Player, but Lowry hooked him to tlio fence at long leg, reaching the seventies. Anthony relieved Matheson, who had proved expensive against the strong wind, but still Lowry hit his fours and threes. At 260 Dacre came on in place of Weir, but Badcock off-drove the Auckland captain for four. Lowry's Century. Lowry now wanted four to reach his century, but came perilously close to being stumped off Anthony, Eountree failing to take the ball. A three to mid-off mado him 99, and his 100 came with a stolen single. He had been at the wickets for 99 minutes. The bowling was now fairly collared, and runs were coming off almost every ball. At 290 Mills was given a trial, but Badcock off-drove the Eden man for four. At 296 Cooper came on with slow leg-breaks. The 300 came up for 215 minutes' play. Lowry then banged Cooper past cover to the fence, and Badcock" hit Mills to the fence at square-leg, Teaching the nineties. Record Partnership. This was the Englishman's last scoring stroke, as Mills clean-bowled him with an off-break. He had been at the wickets for 133 minutes for his 91, which included fourteen boundary shots. He had assisted Lowry to put on 207 for the fourth wicket, a record for Plunket Shield cricket. 308—4—91. James joined Lowry, who was 120. Lowry continued to play brilliant cricket. He drove one with such force pff Cooper past cover that the ball struck one of four pige.ons in the outfield, and stunned the bird for a time. He then cut Mills square for four, and powerfully drove Anthony past cover to the fence, reaching 130. James pulled Mills to the pickets at mid-on, and off-drove him for three, reaching

doubles. The Wellington wicketkeeper then swung a full toss from Anthony to the Topes at square leg, and cut Mills square for four. At 350 Plaver returned to the attack, relieving Anthony, and Bowley came on in place of Mills. Lowry reached his 150 with a single off Player, after batting for 156 minutes. After a spell of quieter plav James lifted a full toss from Plaver to the ropes at square leg. The tea adjournment was taken with the board showing four down for 377, Lowry being 153 and James 35. 400 Up. On resuming Matheson and Player were entrusted with the attack, but there was no cessation in the rapidity of the scoring, 400 coming up after 275 minutes' play. Lowry aroused enthusiasm by off-driving Matheson for four and square-cutting the next delivery to the ropes. His brilliant innings then came to an end next ball from Matheson. Lowry's score included 24 boundary shots. 411—5—181. McGirr partnered James, who was 45 and there was a lull for a time. McGirr then sweetly drove Matheson to the track at long off, and James banged Player to the ropes at mid-on, reaching his half century in 70 minutes. McGirr Caught. In Matheson's next over he captured his second wicket, McGirr being smartly taken by G. L. Weir at second slip. 425—6—5. Taylor, the Nelson professional, followed and opened with a square cut for four off Matheson. After a spell of quiet play James flashed Mills past cover to the ropes and repeated the stroke. Taylor, in the same over, turned one to the pickets at long leg, thirteen coming from the over. James next opened out to Anthony and lifted him to the track at long on. A powerful carpet drive to long on brought four to James at Anthony's expense. At 460 Bowley had another try with the wind, Dacre coming on at the other end. Many Boundaries. James late-cut the Auckland's captain's first ball for four, banged the fourth to the square-leg boundary, and square-cut the next to the pickets. This placed him in the eighties. The Nelson professional then cut Bowley square for four, banged him up against the pickets at long-off, and hit him to long-on for three, reaching the thirties. Bad fielding by Anthony at cover gave James four off Bowley. G. Weir relieved Dacre, but James twice banged him over the on-b'oundary, bringing 500 up for 340 minutes' play. Century to James. James was now in the nineties, and reached his century with a hit to longon for four, all run, off Player. This was a splendid performance, following his century in the Shield Match at Dun T cdin, and the crowd warmly acknowledged it. He had taken 125 minutes for his three figures. James continued to hit brilliantly, flashing G. Weir past cover to the fence, but with his sore at 108 he was snapped up behind the wickets by Kountree, Player. He had been at the wickets for 130 minutes, and hit nineteen fours. His partnership with Taylor had put on 101 for the seventh wicket. 526—7—108.

Lambert joined Taylor, who was 43, and opened by cutting G. Weir square and late, both strokes reaching the boundary. He then late cut Player to the track, reaching double figures in quick time. Taylor's Bright Batting. Taylor hooked Player high to the fence in front of the stand, and flashed him' to the sight screen, reaching his half century in 70 minutes. He then placed ono from Player past cover to the ropes. This brought 550 up. Mills came on, but Taylor banged the Eden colt to the pickets at mid-on. The next lj'all, however, saw him smartly taken in the slips by Anthony. The ex-Australian had shaped attractivsly for his 61, which included eight fours. The eighth wicket had put on 41. 567 —B—6l. Massey was next. Stumps were drawn at 6.30, when the board showed eight down for 576, Lambert being 27 and Massey 4. Scores: — ' WELLINGTON. First Innings. It. do K. Worker, c Matheson, b Anthony 23 C. S. Dempster, b Player . . . . 7.1 H. Foley, lbw, b Anthony .. .. 0 F. T. Badcock, b Mills .. .. 91 TO. Lowry, b Matheson .. ■ • 181 K C. James, c Rountree, b Player .. 108 H. M. McGirr, c G. Weir, b Matheson .. 5 ,T. S. Taylor, c Anthony, b Mills .. 61 H. M. Lambert, not out • • 27 H. B. Massey, not out .. * Extras •■ •• •■ °_ Total for eight wickets .. 576 Fall of wickets—One for 85, two for 91. three for 101, four for 308, five for 411, sis for 425, seven for 526, eight for 567. Bowling Analysis—Matheson, two wickets for 97 runs; Player, two for 122; Anthony, two for 109; G. L. Weir, none for 77; Dacre, none for 54; Bowley, none for 34; Mills, two for 57; Cooper, none for 21.

HAWKE CUP. WANGANUI V. WAIKATO. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TBLZGRAM.) WANGANUI, January 27. Wanganui to-day commenced thoir second match in defence of tho Hawke Cup, which they recaptured from Taranaki last month. The challengers arrived from Hamilton at 10 a.m., travel worn. The match commenced at noon. Wanganui won the toss and the visitors had a day's fielding. Tho bowling ■was very good early, but suffered in the afternoon. Wanganui were all out for 361 about 40 minutes before stumps were drawn, and the visitors were unfortunate in losing two batsmen when 9 runs were on the board. Holland's 311 was a feature of the Wanganui innings. Thakabou and Bernau also played bright cricket. Scores:— - WANGANUI. First Innings. Orr, b Winger .. .. .. 15 Wood, lbw, b Johnston . . «. 41 Kerr, b Hemus .. . • .. 13 Holland, st. McGrath, b Hemus .. 11l Trendwell, played on, b Winger .. 9 Bernau, played on, b Badeloy .. 42 Hutchison, c Johnstone, b Wilson .. 6 Thakabou, not out .. .. 56 Sewell, b Hemus .. •. ■" \1 Williams, lbw, b Going ..: •.. #7 Harris, b Badoley .. .. . •. 5 Extras . • • • • • «>» Total .. •• ..361 Bowling Analysis—Wilson, one'for 32; Badeley, two for 69; Winger, two for 49; Hemus, three for 89; Kavanagh, nono for 16- Hawko, none for 32; Johnston, one for 12, WAIKATO. First Innings. Thomas, c Thakabou, b Bernau :.v 1 Winger, b Bernau .. .. "9 Kavanagh, not out .... a Barnett, not out .. .. "* ,5 Extras .. .. .«• « Total for two wickets .. 20 SHEFFIELD SHIELD GAME. (BT CABLE—PBE3S ASSOCIATION—COPJBIGHT.) / AUST BALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 27th, 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 27. In the Sheffield Shield match, New South Wales in the first innings made 633 (Oldfield 101, Nieholls 110). Bowling, Morton took two for 75 and A. Beckett six for 119. Victoria in the first innings have loßt one wicket for 158 runs (Woodfull not out 74, Hendry not out 73). The weather was fine and the wicket good. Oldfield and Nieholls continued their overnight partnership, and by daring, breezy batting, carried the score well along, adding runs from almost every ball. Victoria opened badly, Ponsford being bowled by Gregory when six, the score reading I—ll. Woodfull and Hendry then showed a solid front to the attack, and by judioious cricket, soon placed Victoria in a healthier position. When stumps were drawn, owing to the failing light, both batsmen appeared well set a nd had the bowling in hand.

FRIENDLY GAME. The following will represent the Hardi Morehants against the Builders' Association „ Mondav, commencing lit 10.30 a.m., at Mnelev Pnrk:—A. F. Drayton, Colville. Mc- » Consrcv*. Caldwell, Smith, Dunkley, Yaic Chappel. Doughty, Gasson, King.

BOYS' MATCHES.

CANTERBURY V. OTAGO [THE PEESS Special Service.]

DUNEDIN, January 27. The annual matches between the Canterbury and Otago Boys' Cricket Associations were concluded to-day. The wickets were still in good condition, and the weather was very hot.

Iu the 6enior match Otago resumed their second innings with the score at 58 for five wickets, the not out batsmen being Bell and Geddes. The former did not shape well, and was bowled by a leg-break from Wise. Geddes, however, batted confidently, and with Knowles helped the total along. Several changes were made in the bowling without effect, and 100 came up after 85 minutes. Eighteen runs later n rot set in for Otago, Geddes being run out and Knowles caught at point by McNißh in successive overs. The remaining batsmen did not mako much resistance, and the innings closed for 136. Canterbury winning hy an innings and 34 runs. Scores:—. CANTERBURY. First Innings . . .. .. 216 OTAGO. First Innings . . .. .. 47 Second Innings. McCarten, b McKernan .. .. 7 Wilson b AVise .. .. .. 0 McLeod, c Cobden, b Wise .. .. 0 Cusack, c Hounsell, b Mcßae .. .. 5 Bell, b Wise .. ~ .. 24 Tobin, c McNish, b Mcßao . . .. 8 Geddes, run out .. .. ..31 Rodgerson, not out . . .. 6 Pine, b Cobden .. .. 1 Knowles, c McNish, b Cobden .. 20 Montgomery, c French, b Cobden . . 9 Extras . . . . .. 25 Total .. . . ..3 36 Bowling Analysis—McNish no wickets for 0, Wise three for 16, McKernan one for IS, Cobden three for 14, Mcßae two for 20, McMenamir. none for 5, French none for 18, Blackaby nene for 10, Grimmer none for 2, Hounsell none for 8. JUNIOR MATCH DRAWN. As in the previous day in tho junior match, the Canterbury batsmen were aggressive, and runs came freely. The bowling was very fair. At 12.10, when the score was 240 for Ave wickets, the innings was declared closed. Butterfield, who carried his bat for 66, and Bull, who scored a very nice 83, were the chief contributors, whilst Grenfell and Josephs also batted aggressively. Otago commenced batting at 12.30. and at the luncheon adjournment had scored six without loss. On resuming Otago batted very cautiously, and in the first hour only 20 runs were recorded. Solid play by Lawson, Hercus, and Eckhoff kept Canterbury at bay, despite frequent changes in the bowling. The heat told against the bowlers, whilst the stonewalling tactics adopted by Otago resulted in play being very slow indeed. At the call of time eight wickets were down for 149. Altogether 105 overs were sent down, and of the bowlers the most successful was Levsrett. Otago mainly owed their draw to the fine effort of Lawson, who notched 35 during a stay of 2 hours 45 minutes. Scores: — CANTERBURY. First Innings .. .. .. 146 Second Innings. Bull, c Hercus, b Howio . . 83 Mooar, b Hercus . . . . ..18 Leverett, c Eckhoff, b lijrciis .. 3 Grenfell,* c Armishaw, b Anderson .. 33 Butterfield, not out .. . . .. 66 Joseph, b Anderson .. .. ..39 Puddle, not out . . .. 0 Eitras •. .. 18 Total for five wickets (declared) 240 Bowling Analysis—Anderson two wickets for 51 runs, Howie one for 50, Hercus two for 48, Armishaw none for 50, Smith none for 10, Eckhoff none for 13. OTAGO. First Innings . . .. .. C 9 Second Innings. Hercus, b Leverett .. .. 17 Lawson, b Leverett .. .-. 35 Anderson, c Bull, b Leverett .. .. 0 Eckhoff, b Hooper .. .. .. 24 Thompson, b Parsons .. .. 12 Smith, not out .. .. ..18 Gwynne, b Butterfield .. .. 7 Duggan, lbw, b Hooper 2 Walkingshaw, c Carpenter, b Puddle .. 1 Howie, not out . . • • .. 4 Extras . . • • • -39 Total for eight wickets : . 149 Bowling Analysis—Leverett three wickets for 38 runs, Butterfield one for 13, Brown none for 5, Puddle one for 6, Mooar none for 7, Carpenter none for 4. Bull none for 4, Josephs none for 6, Grenfell none for 15, Parsons one for 6, Hooper one for 6. CAMBRIDGE TERRACE CLUB. The following will represent Cambridge terrace against Harewood at St. Albans Park, to-day, at 2.15 p.m.:—N. Mitchell, F. Wicks, D. Bunt, A. Smith, J. Harris, L. Dempsey, A. Dingwall, E. Smith, E. Mitchell, J. Wicks, G. Wright, H. Pyne.