TWO HOURS’ PLAY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 124, 19 February 1938, Page 11

TWO HOURS’ PLAY

First Day Of Plunket

Shield Final

AUCKLAND BATTING

Northerners Lose Two Wickets For 70 Runs

The first day’s play in the final Plunket Shield match of the season between Auckland and Wellington, which commenced at the Basin Reserve yesterday, was confined to two hours. Following on several days of steady rain, the wicket was in a sodden state when inspected by the captains in the morning, which was dull and overcast, with a slight drizzle. The weather later cle_ared, and after three inspections, it was decided to commence at 4 o’clock. Lamason won the toss and put Auckland in to bat,’ and at stumps the northerners had lost two wickets for 70 runs. For an off day, and considering the doubtful weather, quite a good crowd was present, indicating the widespread interest in the match. It is generally recognised that nothing short of a miracle can deprive Auckland of the shield, but the first appearance in Wellington this season of several'of the outstanding performers with the New Zealand team on its tour of England such as Cowie and Wallace (Auckland) and Moloney (Wellington), hits been eagerly awaited by local cricketing enthusiasts, who trooped along in good numbers yesterday. Given fine weather, indications are that there'should be a big crowd present to-day. There was little of note in yesterday’s cricket. When - Whitelaw and Postles settled down to slow but steady scoring, it appeared that Lamason had misjudged the condition of the wicket. An odd ball “got up,” but otherwise the pitch appeared easy. Astute changes in the bowling, however, brojight successes, and justified Lamason’s action, Whitelaw and Mills

being dismissed. The former was shaping with the greatest confidence when he mistimed a hook shot, his first faulty stroke, and an appeal for leg-before-wicket was sustained. He batted for 79 minutes for his‘32, which included four fours and two threes. Surprise Dismissal. The dismissal of Mills was a surprise. He made no attempt to play the first ball Pritchard sent down, moving across hie wicket to cover up, but was clean bowled. The only bowling he faced prior to this was that of Lamason, off whom he collected three gift fours, and the change from medium to fast bowling when Pritchar'd came on was the appar-. ent cause of his mistake—an unusual one for such an experienced cricketer. Matheson and Postles played out time. The latter was once or twice uncomfortable to "yorkers” from Parsloe and Pritchard, but otherwise was untroubled, scoring in his customdry slow but sure manner. The Wellington attack was well handled by Lamason despite occasional suggestions from the crowd to bring on Pritchard earlier than he did. Blundell was a model of consistency and accuracy, sending down seven maidens in his 11 overs for 11 runs, of which, eight came from successive boundaries in his fourth over. These were the only loose deliveries in two very fine spells of trundling. Parsloe found the approach to the wicket troublesome and bowled several no balls, off some of which the batsmen scored. He was only straight up and down, but swung down some “yorkers" which nearly skittled Postles. Donnelly showed the benefit of liis English experience, spinning the ball away from the batsmen and varying his flight and pace like an old hand. He sent down nine overs for 11 runs and took one wicket Griffiths was erratic. He spun the ball sharply, but had no control over his length. Coming on late, Pritchard proved one of the most hostile of the Wellington bowlers, mustering up plenty of pace and maintaining a good length. Provided the weather remains fine, the wickef should roll out easy for to-day’s play. Description of Play. WhitelaW and Postles opened Auckland’s. innings to the bowling of Blundell and Parsloe. Whitelaw pushed the first ball of the match wide Of point for a single, Postles playing out the rest of the over. Seven runs came off Parsloe’s first over, a very short ball being hooked by Whitelaw to the fence. A period of quiet play followed until Whitelaw took toll of two overpitehed balls in Blundell’s fourth over, sending both to the fence. After sending down four overs for 11 runs, Parsoe was replaced by Donnelly, the score at this stage being 23, after 35 minutes’ play. Shortly afterward Blundell was relieved by Griffiths. Although playing carefully, neither batsman appeared troubled by the bowling, runs coming steadily. Fifty was hoisted after 75 minutes, Whitelaw being 32 and Postles 1.6. A double change was made in the bowling, Lamason replacing Donnelly, who was switched to the north end in place of Griffiths (none for 17 off four overs). The change proved effective. In attempting to swing Donnelly to leg Whitelaw missed and a confident appeal for leg-before was sustained. 50-1-32. Mills joined Postles and opened his account with a four to leg off a short ball from Lamason, repeating the dose in the next over, two loose deliveries being banged hard to the leg fence. With the score at 65 another double change was effected, Blundell replacing Donnelly (one for 11 off nine overs), while,Pritchard came on in place of Lamason." With his first ball Pritchard clean bowled Mills, who made no attempt to play the ball. 65-2-12. Majheson was next, and opened his score with a neat single to leg off’ Pritchard’s fifth ball. Neither batsmen took any risk, playing out time, the stumps score being 70 for two wickets. Details: — AUCKLAND.—First Innings. P. E. Whitelaw, 1.b.w., b. Donnelly .... 32 A. J. Fostles; not out 21 J. E. Mills, b. Pritchard 12 A. M. Matheson, not out 2 Extras (two no balls, one bye) .. 3 Two wickets for 70 Bowling Analysis. O. M. It. W. C. K. Parsloe 4 1 H — E. D. Blundell 11 7 11 — M. P. Donnelly 1) 3 11 1 B. Griffiths I 4 — 17 — J. R. Lamason 4 — 14 — T. Pritchard 3 — 3 1 Play will be resumed at 11 o’clock this morning.