BY THREE WICKETS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 81, 30 December 1931, Page 11

BY THREE WICKETS

Canterbury’s Shield Win OTAGO’S GRIM FIGHT Accuracy of Bowling BLUNT MAKES 338 By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, December 29. Canterbury won the Plunket Shield match against Otago to-day, after a ( bitter struggle to get the 27» runs required for victory. The runs were obtained with three wickets in hand, but the batsmen had to fight hard all day. The weather was again perfect, and conditions were ideal. The wicket wore well, and the outfield was fast. Blunt and Hawksworth increased Otago s total to 589, adding another 34 runs to the over-night total before Hawksworth’s defence at last failed. The total of 279 runs which was set Canterbury to win was so high for the fourth innings that it looked an even chance whether Canterbury could reach it. The issue could hardly ever have been said to be in doubt, however. Canterbury never looked like failing to. get the runs. As in the first innings, Kerr was top scorer, this time with 86, It was an invaluable knock for his side. His batting was at time painfully slow, but such tactics were probably justified by the condition of the game. JThe defence was very sound, and he waited patiently for a loose ball. He gave one chance at 68. . Cromb’s 46 came at a crucial time m the innings, His partnership with lesteTj which added 82, really made the game safe ' for his side. H.e showed the soundest de- • fence, and would not be tempted to take risks. '■ ' . , . Page’s 26 was a bright spot in a drab display of batting. He seemed not at all overwhelmed by the importance of the occasion, and soon showed that the bowling could be hit. There was general disappointment when he was run out trying a risky extra run. „ , , Earlier in the innings Hamilton played more enterprising cricket than' in the first innings. Otago’s cricket was worthy of all praise, and the southerners fought a losing battle with fine tenacity. The bowling was exceedingly accurate, and never became loose at any time. This made runget ting very difficult. It is true; however, that Canterbury’s rock batting made the bowling look better than it was. Badcock kept an immacplate length for the whole 45 overs he bowled, but it only kept the runs down. The batsmen had little difficulty in playing him. Dunning was very steady, bftt took only one wicket. Toward the end Coupland bowled in a manner that suggested that he might with advantage l have been tried earlier. Of the others Blunt looked the most likely to get wickets. . Otago's ground fielding was admirable, ns proof of which Canterbury took 41 hours to get 279 runs. OTAGO. '. First Innings 101

Second Innings. R. Cherry, c. Page. b. Cromb ..... 13 F. T. Badcock. c. Powell, b. Cromb .... 105 ’’"'R. C. Blunt, not out .. ■■■• 388 A. Knight, c. Hamilton, b. Burrows .. » W. A. Priest, c. Hamilton, b. Burrows <1 C. Elmes, 1.b.w., b. Talbot .24 D. Smith, b. Burrows !■> J. A. Dunning, 1.b.w., b. Burrows 5 D. A. R. Moloney, c. Page, b. Merritt .. o W. D„-Coupland, b. Burrows J? W. Ha wks worth, 1.b.w., b. Merritt .... 21 Extras 41 total .............389 Bowling.—-Cromb took three for 144; Burrows, four for 68; Merritt, two for 143; Talbot, one for 78: Lester, none for 47: Roberts, none for 254;' Page, none for 14. CANTERBURY. First Innings 472 Second Innings. J. M. Hamilton, 1.b.w., b. Badcock .... 30 J. C. Kerr, e. Smith, b. Blunt ........ 86 A. W. Roberts, b. Dunning .. 0 R. 0. Talbot, 1.b.w., b. Blunt ,0 M. L. Page, run out ............. 26 I. B. Cromb, c. and b. Coupland 40 8. G. Lester, b. Coupland ............ 26 J. C. Powell, not out 14 W. E. Merritt, not out... 30 Extras 6 Total for seven wickets 279 Bowling Analysis.—Badcock took one •wicket for 82; Smith, none for 32; Blunt, two for R 5; Moloney, none for 0; Dunning, one for 42; Dimes, Bone for 24; Coupland, twu for 14. NEW YEAR MATCH Henderson Replaces Griffiths CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON The team to represent Wellington e gainst Canterbury in the Plunket Shield - match, commencing at s the Basin Reserve on New Year’s Day, will be the same as that which played against Auckland, with the exception that M. Henderson (Institute) will replace B. Griffiths (Kilbiimie). The teams will be as follow:— Wellington.—T. C. Lowry (Rangitikel), captain, W. Dustin (Midland). W. Hepburn (Kllblrnle), C. S. Dempster (Old Boys), K. C. James (Old Boys), J. Newman (Nelson). H. B. Massey (Wairarapa), R. Crook (Kllblrnie). H. M. McGirr (Hutt), H. N. Lambert (Institute), M. Henderson (Institute), and J. R. Lamason (Old Boys), twelfth man..Canterbury.—M. L. Page, captain, W. E. Merritt, J. L. Kerr, I. B. Cromb, I. M. Hamilton. A. W. Roberts, S. G. Lester, C. G. Crawford, F. Bellamy, J. L. Powell, It. C. Burns and J. T. Burrows. 'The Wellington team will practise at the Basin Reserve this week. Tiie gate takings at • the Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Wellington on Monday amounted to £139, making the total for the three days about £470, as £156 was taken on Christmas Day and £175 on Boxing Day.

TURNED THE TABLES Victoria Wins Shield Match By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Rec. December 29, 9 p.m.) Melbourne, December 29. In the Sheffield .Shield cricket match against New South Wales, Victoria in the second Innings made 435 for seven wickets; Darling 111. Theak took two' wickets for 94 runs. . Victoria, who appeared to be in a hopeless position on Monday, won by three wickets, thanks to Woodfull, O’Brien, and Darling.

South Australia’s Win (Rec. December 29, 9 p.m.) Adelaide, December 29. In the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, Queensland in the second innings made 209. Grimmett took four wickets for 70 runs, and Lee five for 70. South Australia won by 280 run*.