PLUNKET SHEILD CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 85, 4 January 1930, Page 10

PLUNKET SHEILD CRICKET

AUCKLAND v. CANTERBURY SOUTHERNERS OPEN WELL By Telegraph.—Press Association. Aucldand, January 8. The Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury was commenced at Eden Park to-day, the visitors butting first on a good wicket uud having two wickets down for 19-1 runs at thu luncheon adjournment. Rain set in during the interval, and lasted throughout the afternoon, with the result that play could not be continued. Canterbury’s opeuftig batsmen, Cromb and Merritt, did not seem comfortable, and went earlx,io good catches. However, a fine stand by Page and Roberts added 81 runs. Page, while scoring slower than Roberts, appeared a safer bat. Roberts delighted with- powerful forcing shots which found holes in the covers. 'Hie display given by the pair was easily the best seen in Plunket Shield cricket 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 unduly brilliant, was of consistent length and commanded respect throughout. The wicket will undoubtedly be so£t to-morrow, so that Canterbury will find the first hundred odd runs very useful. Garrard, the Auckland captain, was unable to play, and was replaced by Smeeton, and Mills was elected captain of the Auckland team. Cromb’s Short Istiuid. Page won the toss and sent Merritt and Cromb to open the innings. Wensley 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 run out had Gillespie returned well to Rowntree. 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. Roberts 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 runs come slowly, no boundary having yet beefi made. Cromb lost his wicket facing Wensley, a slow ball being snicked to Rowntree behind the wickets. 23 — 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 driving nicely, Page pulling Smeeton hard to the square leg fence to bring 40 up. Smeeton was overpitching the deliveries and the batsmen took full advantage of them with powerful placing through the covers. 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 single by Roberts 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 until 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 fields set, but neither batsmen would be drawn into lifting the ball. Wensley was given another chance with the ball at his original end, bowling a maiden to Page in his first over. Roberts drew within five of his half-century when he turned Wensley to fine leg, and Page secured his 30 off the succeeding ball. Rain Commences. ■' A light drizzle had made the ball difficult to control, the bowlers losing their length in consequence. Roberts brought up the hundred just before lunch after 100 minutes’ play. The total at the adjournment was 104. Details of the play are as follow:— CANTERBURY.—First Innings. B. Cromb, e. Rowntree, b. Wensley 8 W. E. Merritt, 'e. Weir, b. Matheson 8 A. W. Roberts, not out 49 M: L., Page, not out 35 Extras 4 Total for two wickets 104 BEALE’S TEAM v. SOUTH CANTERBURY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Umaru, January 3. E. C. Beale’s Auckland touring team commenced a two-day match with a South Canterbury eleven to-day in glorious weather and op a fast wicket. The visitors won the toss, and elected to bat, being dismissed for 151 (Smith 43 not 1 out, Lawrie 37, Lyon 31). Mcßeath took five wickets for 35 runs, Kane four for 59. The home side is all out for 98 (Hamilton 37). Vivian took eight wickets for 34 MILLS NOT AVAILABLE. By. Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, January 3. J. E. Mills, Auckland’s only representative in the New Zealand eleven, is not available for the first test against M.C.C. at Christchurch next Friday. The twelfth man is E. McLeod, of Wellington. HUTT TEAM? FOR TO-DAY. The following teams will represent Hutt to-day:— Third A.—Langford, Little, Perkins, McMahon, senr., McMahon, .junr., Woolley, McKenzie, Fitzmaurice, Muir, Leask, Barnes. Third B. —Adam, Fleet. Goffin, Gardner, Brown, Simpkiss, Edlin (2), Gray, Stoddart, Payne, May, Keyte.