PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 153, 26 December 1914, Page 4

PLUNKET SHIELD

OTAGO'S CHALLENGE TO CANTERBURY. (»Y TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION) CHRISTCffURCH, 25th December. The first Plunket Shield match of this season was commenced at Lancaster Park this afternoon, Otago (tho challengers) meeting Canterbury (holders). The wicket was easy as the result of a light fall of rain in the early morning, and the weather was beautifully fine, with a, cool south-west breeze. The presence of J. N. Crawford, the ex-Surrey and Australian crack, in the visitors' eleven greatly improved their prospects of winning the coveted trophy, which they have never yet possessed. Crawford won the toss from Reese, and had no hesitation in batting. The scoring was slow, the batsmen playing very carefully, and little liberty could be taken with the bowling. The first wicket fell at 16, and three more went at 23. Bruges and Crawford made a good stand, both batting carefully, and the score went to 63, when Crawford was caught at cover point. Bruges continued batting confidently, and chiefly through his efforts the total was taken to 101 for seven wickets, when the afternoon tea adjorunrnent was taken, Bruges boing then not out with 41. The innings closed shortly after the resumption of play for 108, having lasted two hours. At 5 p.m. Canterbury had lost one wicket for 40. ! Scores : — j OTAGO.— First Innings. Watson, lbsv, b Sandman , 9 Shepherd, c Beal, b Reese 8 Alloo, b Reese 2 Siedeberg, c and b Sandman ... 0 Bruges, not out 44 Crawford, c Bishop, b Carlton. ... 22 8011, run out » ... 5 Galland, lbw, b Reese ... . 8 Ramsden, b Hickmott 2 Chadwick, b Reese 1 Eckhoff, b Hickmott 1 Extras ... ... G Total 108 Bowling Analysis. — Bennett, 13 overs, 5 maidens, 22 runs, 0 wickets; Reese, 17 overs, 7 maidens, 22 runs, 4 wickets ; Sandman, 9 overs, 1 maiden, 30 runs, 2 wickets ', Carlton, 6 overs, 1 maiden, 21 r.uns, 1 wicket; Hickmott, 3.1 overs, 0 maidens, 7 runs, 2 wickets. CANTERBURY.— First Innings. Woods, b Crawford 10 Bishop, not out 14 Hickmott, not out 11 Extras 5 Total for one wicket ... 40