THE PLUNKET SHIELD

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 81, 29 December 1928, Page 8

THE PLUNKET SHIELD

WELLINGTON AND OTAGO DRAW RAIN CAUSES CESSATION OF PLAY BLUNT REACHES THE CENTURY • A heavy-scoring match, in which 1238. runs were registered, ended in Otago and Wellington recording a draw in the Blanket Shield match after four days’ play at the Basin Reserve yesterday. Otago, jn. their second innings, »ran up 351 runs, exactly the total Wellington had scored in their first knock. As Otago hail totalled 398 in their first innings, this meant that Wellington had to get 399. runs, to win. Unfortunately,, rain set in just after, the conclusion of the Otago innings, and rendered the ball greasy and foothold insecure, besides causing a couple of postponements. The result was that Wellington, in their second innings, were only able to score 138 for the loss of three wickets, and the game thus ended .'in a draw. Had the weather remained fine, Wellington might have; made a sporting bid to get the runs, but the adjournments caused by rain robbed an interesting game of all interest. A feature of yesterday’s play was a sterling century by. Blunt, Otago’s star batsman, arid a bright knock for 52 not out by J. ‘ R. Lamason for Wellington, who notched'B9 in the first innings. The mosh noticeable feature of the game was fhe ultra-cautious methods adopted by the batsmen on both sides. On the averages, Wellington comes out of the ordeal a little to the good. ... With'three’ .wickets- down for 234, Blunt (61)- and Monk (31) resumed Otago’s second innings yesterday at 11. The weather was hot and muggy, with an; overcast sky and a light breeze from the south. McGirr, who had only been called upon to send down three overs on Thursday, took up ' the attack against the-, breeze and broke the long partnership with, his fourth delivery. Monk popping the. leather intoz Hoar’s hands at silly mid-on. . .The retiring- colt had shaped brightly for his 31, having assisted -Blunt to add 65 for the fourth wicket. ;• 237- . 31. A Spirited Stand, ‘Galland joined Blunt, and Rotherham took up the bowling from the Newtown end. -The wicket-was much, faster than on- the .previous day, and the batsmen, shaping confidently, started to put _ the runs on at a good. pace. In McGirr’s second over Galland hit one high to Hoar at extra long-on', but the fieldsman was unable' to hold the catch,' though he made a great dive for it. Galland then drove McGirr. to the track at longoff, seven criming from the over. This brought 260 up., and Otago were 300 runs on with six wickets still in hand. .Lambert', replaced McGirr, and Blunt ran into the seventies by pulling the new bowler to leg for a couple and tapping him past point for 2. Otago’s star batsman was now shaping in his best form. He stepped out and ' punched one from Lambert past cover to the ropes, and Galland ran into, the twenties by smacking the next delivery in the same direction for three. Galland brought 280 by pulling a short one from Rotherham to the ropes at square-leg. The burly Grange man then aroused enthusiasm by hitting Rotheram for two spanking fours in fhe same over, which cost 14 runs. At 288, Badcock took the ball from Lambert, and Blunt ran into the eighties with a single to mid-on. Hoar then relieved Rotherham, and Blunt hit the first ball from the Wairarapa man past the ropes at squareleg, bringing 290 in sight. Three Hundred Up. By swinging one from Hoar to longleg for a couple, Blunt put 300 up after the innings had been going for 268 minutes. Four byes for one from Hoar helped the score along. Runs were now coming from almost every ball, the bright batting being most refreshing after the ultra-cautious tactics of the previous day. Blunt drove one clean past Lomaspn at; cover off Hoar, the pace of the shot -badly beating the fieldsman. At 318, Foley was given a trial, and at once got Galland, who hit the second delivery into McGirr’s hands at mid-off. Galland had rattled on his 44 in 42 minutes, giving a breezy display. He had helped Blunt to put on 81 runs for the fifth . wicket. . 315—5—44. Cavanagh joined Blunt, who was. 92, and interest centred in whether the latter would reach his century. A latecdt off Foley j;ave him three, and singles moved him along to 96. He had then to take a good maiden over from McGirr. At 322 Foley got his'second wicket, Cavanagh mishitting one softly to Lowry close in at mid-off. Foley had now taken two wickets for 5 runs. 322—6 A. Allo, who notched a century in the first innings, came next. Blunt Gets His Hundred, Applause broke out from all round the ground when Blunt at last reached his century by powerfully hooking a short one from McGirr to the fence at squareleg. He then stepped out, and banged a slow from Foley to long-on for three. Blunt was now playing sparkling cricket. He leg-glided McGirr prettily for three, and banged Foley to extra long-on for four, reaching, 110, and bringing 340 up. Badcock took the ball from Foley, who had taken two wickets for twelve runs off six overs. Badcock got the Otago captain with his fourth ball, the batsman sending the leather into McGirr’s hands at mid-off. 346—7 —6. Elmes, the ex-Christ’s College lefthander, followed, and arrived to see Blunt,, who bad played a sterling innings for 115, clean bowled by McGirr. The Otago star batsman had been very restrained on Thursday, but yesterday morning he played delightful cricket, proving that he is still a master batsman. 348— Zimmerman did not last long, falling l.b.w to Hoar after notching a single. 349— 9—l. Douglas, the last, man. joined Elmes. and the latter brought 350 with a single to mid-on off McGirr. The innings, which had lasted for 353 minutes, closed at 12.30 for 351, with McGirr clean bowling Douglas. 351— 10—2. . McGirr, who secured three for 35 off 81 deliveries, bowled really well yesterday. and was well supported by Foley, wlio captured two for 16 off six overs, with his- left-handed slows. It was. however, Hoar and Badcock 'who bore the brunt of the attack. The Wnirarapa man sent down no fewer than 39 overs, thirteen of which were, maidens, and captured two for SO, while Badcock sent along 32 overs, 14 of which were maidens. capturing one for 49. The Wellington fielding was good, with Badcock active at cover, and Dempster moving fast in the country. James was in his usual fine form with the gloves. A Stiff Hurdle. Requiring 399 to win, Dempster and Rotherham opened Wellington’s second innings kt 12.45 to the bowling of Eastman and A. Alloo. and at the luncheon adjournment 8 runs were on, Rotherham being 5 and Dempster 3. A light shower of rain fell during the luncheon adjournment, necessitating a requisition for sawdust when play was resumed at 1.48. Eastman and A. Alloo continued bowling. The bowlers were on the spot, and the batsmen were very wary, there being six maidens in the first eleven overs sent down. Rotherham then drove Alloo to the fence at long-off. and placed him to mid-on for a single. He then skied one dangerously on the off. but the ball dropped clear of the racing fieldsman. Eastman was bowling like a machine. His first over was a maiden; three singles came off his second ; and lie then sent. down.seven maidens in a row. Rotherham' was -doing all the scoring.

He clouted Alloo over the square-leg boundary, and hit seven off Eastman s tenth over, including a powerful drive to the track at long-off. The Cambridge University man, who had given a bright display, was clean bowled in A. Alloo s next over. 37 —1—26. Badcock came next, and play continued in light rain. When 40 came up, an adjournment was made owing to the rain. Dempster, who had been at the wickets fgor 50 minutes, had just reached double figures. The teams left the field at 2.24, and at 3.8 the umpires (Messrs. H. Smith and A. Francis) went out and inspected the wicket, and decreed that play should proceed. A. Alloo and Eastman resumed the bowling, being considerably handicapped by the greasy ball and slippery foothold. Badcock drove Eastman to long-off for 3,' bringing the half-century up. Alloa was bowling wide on the off, but Badcock moved across to one, and tipped it into Galland’s hands behind the sticks. Foley joined Dempster, who had fourteen singles and a two to his credit. The breeze had now veered round to the north, and rain now threatened from that quarter. Play continued to be deadly (lull. Eastman had now bowled fourteen overs, nine of which were maidens, for 14 runs. Dempster ran into the twenties with a string of singles. The Essex professional had now sent down fifteen overs for 20 runs. With 61 on, Dempster, who had been at the wickets a long time for 21, played one from- Eastman on to his wicket. Gl—3—2l. Afternoon tea was then taken, a section of the crowd signifying disapproval at the further adjournment. . On resuming, Lamason accompanied Foley to the wickets, A. Alloo and Eastman continuing the attack. Lamason brought 70 up by cutting Eastman square for four, and he then placed the Ota„o coach to long-leg for a couple. Efjey, who was showing enterprise, got Alloo away to long-off for three, and Lamason then banged Eastman to the fence at mid-on, and the next ball to slin for a couple, bringing 80 up. At 83, Elmes relieved Alloo, whose nineteen overs had resulted in 44 runs and two wickets. Lamason swung Elmes hard to mid Kin. but Zimmerman saved the boundary, and they only got two for a hot shot. Lamason then latecut Elmes for a couple, eight coming from the over. This placed Lamason in the twenties, and he went on to give the brightest‘'display of -the innings so far, back-cutting Elmes for four. - Hus brought the hundred up. Eastman, who had sent down 21 overs for 37 runs and a wicket, gave way to Monk, whom Lamason hanged to leg for three. The tall Old Boys’ batsman then slammed Elmes to the ropes a Sq AtAI2 S ’H. C. Alloo took thei ballfrom Elmes. whose four overs had cost -0 rU Liimason jumped out to H. AUoo. and banged one through the covers for. threerunning into the forties, and meking the score 120. The Old Boy. as in the first inniiws was giving a dashing display. He swept” one from FL Alloo to the ropes at long-leg. and continued to score off almost every ball. Ten came from H..AI- - third over, and this brought Zim merman on at that end. Lamason reached his half-century by cutting the Osmart! left-hander’s second ball square to th lt f haci e 'commenced to drizle agalathe umpires had a conference, the crowd signifying disapproval of the delay. Folevle-’-glided Monk to the track, and Ffter the" over another adjournment was made at 4.55. The .score then stood nt 13S for three wickets. Lamason being oand Folev 27. The pair had added <7 for the fourth wicket. The rain continuing, stumps were finally drawn at tins stajxe. The scores are as follow: — OTAGO. 308 First innings • ‘ °

Second Innings. A. R. Knight; run out • 31 HC. Alloo, c. Dempster,-b. Lambert 3.5 R. C. Blunt, b. McGirr .......... 114 L. C. Eastman, c. Henderson, b. Hoar P, Monk, c. Hoa-. b. McGirr 31 A. Galland. c. McGirr, b. 1 oley ~.. 44 V. G. Cavanagh, c. Lowry, b. Foley 0 A. W. Alloo, c. McGirr, b. Badcock 6 S. Elmes. not out ..... •••••* “ C. Zimmerman, 1.b.w., b. H0ar,.... i A. Douglas, b. McGirr • • ~ Extras—byes 12, leg-byes 5, no-ball 1, wides 2 20 Total •••••• 3 ? 1 Fall of wickets: One for 68, two for 78, three for 172, four for 237, five for 318, six for 322, seven for 346, eight for 348, nine for 349, ten for 351. Bo—ling Analysis.

WELLINGTON. First innings . i 351 Second Innings. : C. S. Dempster, b. Eastman 21 G. A. Rotherham, b. A. Alloo . — 26 F. T. Badcock, c. Galland, b. A. Alloo 5 H. Foley, not out 27 J. R. Lamason, not out 52 Extras —Byes 2, leg-byes 3 .. 5 Total for three wickets 138 Fall of wickets: One for 37, two fol--51, three for 56.

The attendances at the match were only fair, the gate .takings realising £334 for the four days.’ The two teams left by the ferry steamer for the south last night. Otago to engage Auckland at Dunedin, and Wellington to meet Canterbury nt Christchurch at the New Y’ear. CANTERBURY TEAM CHOSEN f By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, December 28. The crickdt selectors have chosen the following twelve for the match against I, elliugton, commencing on Monday:— Burns, Cunningham, Gregory, I. M. Hamilton, Jacobs, Merritt, Newman, Page, Patrick, J. Powel, Read, and Roberts. HUTT TEAM ON TOUR Dominion Special Service. Woodville, December 28. The Hutt touring team played a oneday match against Woodville on Boxing Day, and though light rain fell during the greater part of the day the wicket stood up to Its work, and a very enjoyable game resulted. The wicket was in great order and the outfield first class, but the rain kept everything damp and thfe bowlers laboured under a considerable handicap. Following are the details:— WOODVILLE. Miller, c. Judd, b. Aldersley ........ 9 Charles, l>. Aldersley 3 Mair, b. Lockett 5 Ramsden, !>. Ross 15 StL-phens, retired 40 Grant, b. Aldersley 13 Goodwiu,, b. Ross 2 C. Mules, not out 9 J. Mules, b. Aldersley (I Williams, b. Ross 1 Redwood, b. Ross 0 Extras H Total 108 Bowling Analysis.—Lockett, one for KI; Aldersley, four for 28; Neazor, none for 25; Ross, four for 29. HUTT TOURING TEAM. Ross, retired 31 Williams, st. Miller, b. Grant 35 Ball, c. Redwood, I). Goodwin 8 Aldersley, b Charles .’ 14 Jenness, b. Charles 24 P. Judd, c. Grant, b. Williams 39 A. Judd, not out 12 McKay, l> Williams 16 Sanders, b. Goodwin 5 Lockett, b. Grant 18 Neazor. did not bat 0 Extras -1 Total "220 Bowling Analysis—Goodwin, three for 34; Grant, two for 60; Charles, two for 58; Williams, two for 23: Muir, none for 27.'

AUCKLAND COLTS AT NELSON

Dominion Special Service. Nelson, December 28, The Auckland colts commenced a cricket match at. the park to-day. against a Nelson team, and at lunch time, Auckland had .two wickets-.for 76. (Lagridge, in, 42 ; Butler. 16; McCoy, 12; Montieth, in, 6). Showery weather in the afternoon postponed the match.

0. M. R. W. MeClirr ...... ... 13.3 2 35 3 JJpnd Arson .< ... 14 ■ 4 33 0 ... 39 13 80. 2 Rfldpock ..... ... 32 14 49 1 Tjowry . ... 12 6 15 0 "Lambert ..... ... 19 1 Rotherham ... 13 ‘2 48 0 Foley 6 .2 16 2

Bowling Analysis. 0. M. R. W. Eastman ..... ... 21 9 37 1 A. Alloo ... 19 3 44 2 3 0 20 0 Monk ......... ... 6 1 13 0 H. Alloo 3 0 13 0 Zimmerman ... 1 0 4 0