CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19818, 4 January 1930, Page 14

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD. CANTERBURY V. AUCKLAND RAIN STOPS PLAY. (TKXSS ASSOCIATION TBLEGBAM.) AUCKLAND, January 3. The Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury was commenced at Eden Park to-day, the visitors batting first on a good wicket, and having two wickets down for 104 at the luncheon adjournment. Rain set in during the interval and lasted throughout the afternoon with the result that play could not bo continued. Canterbury's opening batsmen, Cromb and Merritt" did not seem comfortable, and went early to good catches. However, a tine Stand by Page and Eoberts added 81 runs. Page, while scoring slower than Roberts, appeared the safer bat. Boberte delighted with powerful forcing ahota which found holes in the covers. The display given by the pair was easily the best witnessed in Plunket Shield ericket in Auckland so far this season: The batsmen were handicapped by the slowness of the outfield, which made boundaries difficult to obtain. The Auckland bowling, without being Vndaly brilliant, _was of consistent length and commanded respect throughout. The wicket will undoubtedly be soft tomorrow so that Canterbury will find the first hundred odd runs very useful. Garrard, the Auckland captain, was unable to play, and was replaced by Bmeeton. Mills was elected captain of the Auckland team. Opening Batsmen Fail. Page won the toss and sent Merritt •nd Cromb in to open the innings. Weniley and Matheson took up the attack for Auckland. Both batsmen commenced quietly in singles, the first four overs producing six runs. Merritt drove "Wensley hard to the covers, where Gillespie was conspicuous for smart fielding. In the next over Cromb would have been tun out had Gillespie returned well to Bowntree. With the total at 11, Merritt swung at a rising ball from Matheson, and snicked it to first slip, where Weir took a good catch. 11—1 —8. Boberts opened his account with a brace off his first ball. Twenty went up after half an hour's play. Steady bowling and a well-placed field made the runs fome slowly, no boundary having yet been registered. Cromb lost his wicket facing Wensley, a slower ball being snleked to Bowntree behind the wickets. 13—2—8. With the advent of Page, Matheson was spelled in favour of Smeeton, the new bowler sending down a maiden. In the bowler's next over Page hit the first boundary of the match by driving him through the covers. The pair kept moving nicely, Page pulling Smeeton bard to the square leg fence to bring 40 op. Smeeton was over-pitching his deliveries and the batsmen took full advantage of them with powerful placing through the covers. Roberta Going Well. Off Wensley's succeeding over a beautiful drive past mid-on by Roberts hoisted the first fifty on the board. Smeeton gave way to Anthony with the total at 58, a lucky snick for a ■ingle by Boberts being the only run scored off the new bowler's first over. Matheson also took over at the other end from Wensley, who had bowled 14 overs, including three maidens, for one wicket and 23 runs. The batsmen were content to sneak singles off Matheson nntil Page got him away to leg nicely for two fours in . succession. At the other end Anthony was sending down tempting deliveries with three deep lleldß set, but neither batsmen would be drawn into lifting the ball.

Bain Handicaps Bowlers. Wensley was given another chance with the ball at his original end, bowling a maiden to Page in Ms first over. Boberts drew within five of his half century when he turned Wensley to fine leg, and Page scored his 30 off the succeeding ball. A light drizzle had made the tyall difficult to control, the bowlers losing their length in consequence. Boberts brought the hundred up just before lunch after 100 minutes' play. The total at the adjournment was 104 for two wickets (Boberts 49 not out, Page 35 not out). Scores: — CANTERBURY. First Innings. 1. B. Cromb, c Bowntree, b Wensley 8 W. E. Merritt, c Weir, b Matheson 8 A. W. Boberts, not out .. .. 49 M. It. Page, not out .. ..35 Extras .. .. 4 Total for two wickets ... 104 THE FIRST TEST. WOOLLEY'S REMARKABLE RECORD. The first Test match between the touring M.C.C. team and New Zealand will commence at Lancaster Park on Friday *ext and continue on the Saturday and Monday. The wicket being prepared should be in excellent condition. Of the Englishmen, the most outstanding player is - undoubtedly F. L. Woolley, the great left-hander, who has a remarkable record of three-figure scores in first-class cricket. In addition to 104 centuries in first-class cricket prior to the present tour, Woolley has added 219 in an. innings against New South Wales and 137 this week against Otago. Woolley scored more runs than any other batsman in the last English season. He aggregated 2804, but as he bad played 55 innings against the 39 of J. B. Hobbs and the 47 of W. R. Hammond, he was headed by those famous batsmen in the averages. His average was 56.08. In the 1928 season he scored the remarkable aggregate of 3352 runs. Eight times has he scored over 2000 runs in a season. Only four men in the whole history of cricket have scored over 30,000 runs, and have taken over 1500 wickets in first-class cricket, and Woolley is one of them. Woolley has made critics grow almost lyrical about his batting. He is indeed one of the great masters of stroke-play. A New Zealand team has had one experience of Woolley as a centurymaker, for he scored 125 for Kent against the team *which the Dominion sent to England in 1927. In the first innings of that match he made 68 out of 103 in just over an hour. Woolley has played more Test matches for England against Australia and Bouth Africa than any other man has done, for he has made 52 consecutive appearances in those games, and 55 altogether. His appearance next week against New Zealand should prove a big draw.

MILLS NOT AVAILABLE. (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, January 3. J. E. Mills, Auckland's only representative in the New Zealand eleven, will not be available for the First Test against the M.C.C. at Christchurch next Friday, AUCKLAND TEAM. MATCH AGAINST SOUTH CANTERBURY. (special to the press.) TIMARU, January 3. The match, South Canterbury v. the Auckland touring team, was commenced on Fraser Park this morning. Auckland went in first, Vipond and Lyon opening. Kane and Mcßtuth opened the iioath Canterbury attack, the latter getting Vipond Ibw when he was 14. Laurie was the incomer, and gave a chance to fieaton off Kane which was missed. The pair were baiting confidently at the luncheon adjournment, when the score was (iiu* lor 74. On the resumption Cockroft and Meßeath bowled, the latter beating Lyon, who stepped in front. 79—2—31. Vivian was next in. Laurie was caught soon after by Cockroft off Davies. pi)— 3—3/. Schnauer followed Cockroft soon after. stepping in front to Meßeath. —4—s. Lewis followed, and played one on without scoring. Aickin, the next batsman, tried to swipe Kane, and went out. 9*—6—1.

Smith came to the crease and played brightly. Schnauer was clean-bowled by Kane. 10 : > —7—7. The rest went easily with the exception of Smith, who was undefeated. South Canterbury went to the wicket late in the afternoon, Hamilton and Mason opening. The latter went lbw to Lyou. 10—1—2. Hind followed, and after knocking up 10 was caught and bowled by Vivian. Ilerdman came in, and played Vivian's second ball on. 43 —3 —l. Schnauer took a bowl and soon got Davies, Vipond taking the catch. 58 —4 —lo. Kane, the incomer, played well for a while, but was snapped up by Owen off \ ivian. 70 —3—2. Cockroft joined Hamilton, who went shortly after off Vivian. 76 —6 —37. Vivian caught and bowled Seaton, the incomer. 70—7—1. Meßeath came to the crease. Cockroft played on off ivi;*n. !>4 —B—9.8—9. Meßeath hit the same bowler for six. but was skittled soon after. 979 —7. Brown came in, made a few bright knocks, and was clean-bowled, the innings closing for 99. Scores: — AUCKLAND TOURING TEAM. First Innings. Vipond. lbw, b Meßeath .. . . 14 Lyon, lbw. b Meßeath .. ..31 Laurie, c Davies, b Cockroft . . .. 37 Vivian, lbw, b Meßeath . . ... 5 Schnauer, b Kane . . . . • ■ 7 Lewis, b Meßeath . . . . • • 0 Aickin, b Kane . . . • • • J* Smith, not out . . . . . . 43 Langton, b Kane . . . • • • " Owen, b Kane . . . . i. - 4 Pickland, lbw, b Meßeath . . .. 0 Extras . . • • • • 9 Total .. i.. 151 SOUTH CANTERBURY. First Innings. Mason, lbw, b Lyon . . . . 2 Hamilton, c Laurie, b Vivian . . 37 Hind, c and b Vivian .. • • - • 10 Herdman, played on, b Vivian • ■ 1 Davies, c Vipond, b Vivian .. ..10 Kane, c Owen, b Vivian . . • - 3 Cockroft, b Vivian . . • • 9 Meßeath, b Vivian . . .. •• " Seaton, c and b Vivian - - - - 1 Berry, not out . . . .i 1 Brown, b Vivian .. •• J Extras .. • • .. 16 Total -• 99 WEST COAST V. ASHBURTON A DRAWN GAME. The match between the Ashburton representatives and the West Coast team was concluded yesterday in ideal weather, and resulted in a draw. At the end of the first day's play Ashburton had declared at 300 for the loss of six wickets, and the West Coasters had lost two wickets for 60 runs. Continuing yesterday morning, the latter completed their innings for 236 runs. Ashburton collapsed in their second innings, and only made 85, Revell playing havoc with the batsmen. With an hour to play, the West Coasters had to compile 150 to win, but when stumps were drawn had made 43 for the loss of four wickets. A feature of the match was J. B. Nicoll's 146 runs, made in Ashburton's first innings. Details:— ASHBURTON. First Innings. K. Nicoll, c Barlow, b Revell .. 0 J. B. Nicoll, b Restieaux . . . . 146 A. Hooper, lbw, b Revell . . . • 0 L. Drennan, c Dewar, b Nightingale . . 76 T. B. Lane, b Casey . . . . 8 C. Penrose, b Restieaux . . .. 2 W. Brady, not out •• »• 29 A. R. Gourley, not out . • .. 10 Extras . . . • 29 Total for six wickets declared . . 300 Bowling—L. Casey, one wicket for 68 runs; G. Revell, two for 46; C. Restieaux, two for 58; G. Knapp, none for 24; C. Dewar, none for 16; Nightingale, one for 44; F. Smythe, none for 15. Second Innings. B. McSherry, bG. Revell . . - • ® J. Hanratty, bG. Knapp . . 4 G. Stephens, c Nightingale, bG. Knapp 8 K. Nicoll, bG. Revell . . • - 0 A. Gourley, b Revell . •» • • ** A. Hooper, c and b Revell . . • - « Johnstone, run out • • *J J. B. Nicoll, b Revell .. '' a W. Brady, c Spender, b Revell .. 4 C. Penrose, c Gillin, b Dewar .. R. Drennan, not out .. "To Extras . . • • • • Total . . - • i" fo Bowling—G. Knapp, two wickets for 16 runs; G. Revel], six for SO; L. Casey, none for S; 0. Dewar, one for 11; 0- Restieaux, none for 10. WEST COAST. First Innings. F. Smyth, cK. Nicoll, b McSherry .. 3 H. Nightingale, b Stephens - • "on W. Spender, b McSherry, b Gourley .. G. Knapp, c Drennan, b Brady .. 29 L. Casey, c and bK. Nicoll . • • • W. Barlow, cK. Nicoll, b McSherry .. 73 G. Revell, b Brady .. . . •• 3 J. Matthews, c Hooper, b Brady .. P. J. Gillin. not out . . • • "X C. Dewar, c Penrose, b J. B. Jiieoll • • ' C. Restieaux, hit wkt, bJ. B. Nicoll .. 0 Extras • • ■ • * • _____ Total ■ • - * . . 2cJ6 Bowling—-G. Stephens, one wicket for 30 Tuns; B. McSherry, two for 42; K. Nicoll, one for 32; A. Gourley, one for 26; K. Drennan, none for 30; W. Brady, three for 27; J. B. Nicoll, two for 19; J. Hanratty, none for 12. Second Innings. P. Gillin. bR. Johnstone . . . • 13 F. Smyth, run out •• « J. Matthews, cW. Brady, b McSherry .. 10 C. Restieaux. not out . ■ • • "• C. Dewar, c Hanratty, b Johnstone .. 0 Spender, not out • - " e Extras •• • Total for four wickPts . . 43 Bowling—Johnstone, two wickets for 25 runs; Stephens, none for 8; McSherry, one for 4. SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION. NEXT SATURDAY'S MATCHES. Following are the matches for Saturday next•— Senior—Marist v. Be eke n ham, at Linwood; Sunnyside v. Shirley, at Shirley; W.M.C. v. Council, at Sydenham Ko. 9. Senior B—Green's v. Beckenham, at Beck echam; Wools ton v. Phillipstown, at Dinwood; St. Albans v. Railway, at Linwood. Junior A—St. Albans v. Mairehau, at St. Albans.; Templeton v. Gas Company, at Tcmpleton; D.I.C. v. Shirley, at Sydenham No. 8. Junior B—Council v. Marist, at Sydenham No. 9; W.M.C. v. Beckenham, at Sydenham No. 1; Cambridge v. Harewood, at St. Albans; Green's v. Riccarton, at Sydenham No. 2. Third Grade—First day: Stewart's Gully v. Shirley B, at Stewart's Gully; Shirley A v. Harewood, at Richmond: Marist v Railway, at Woolston; Beckenham A v. Beckenham B, at Beckenham; W.M.C. v. Cambridge, at Sydenham No. 3. Second day: Harewood v Stewart's Gully, at Stewart's Gully; Beckenham B v. Railway, at Beckenham ; Shirley A v. Shirley B, at Shirley; W.M.C. v. Marist, at Woolston; Beckenham A v. Cambridge, at Beckenham. CAMBRIDGE TERRACE CLUB. The following will play for Cambridge Terrace Third Grade against Railway at Linwood Park at 2.15 p.m. to-day:—H. Cochran, J. McCarthy, A. Dingwall, R. Genett, N. Hall, G. Wright. T. Goodchild, Forward, F. Sootter, J. Englebrecht, K. Wright; emergency, K. Dingwall.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCHES. QUEENSLAND V. NEW SOUTH WALES. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPY&IGHT.) (Received January 3rc!, 10.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 3. In the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland, New South first innings maxlo 2"3 (Bradroan . Andrews 56, Marka 40. Everett 41 KiPP.ax 15). Hurwood took four wickets tor „< runs, Thurlow four for 83, Drew t«'o o r 00 . Queensland in the first ln ? ln S3 scored 126 for sis wickets (Benstead ol), SOUTH AUSTRALIA V. VICTORIA. (Received Januarv 3rd 10.-45 p.m.) MELBOURNE. January 8. In the Shield match against South Australia, Victoria in the first innings made 331 (Scaife 69). p, ~ Wall took four for 60, Carlton two f or 44, Grimmett one for 13o« . South Australia in the innings made 235 for four wicketsj?-"? 8 *°> p ritr chard 85, Hon# not out 104. -Kichardson 29).