PLUNKET SHIELD INTERESTING CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 7, 9 January 1915, Page 8

PLUNKET SHIELD INTERESTING CRICKET

WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY. Showers of rain fell this morning in Wellington, but the weather cleared somewhat before 11 o'clock, the time fixed for the commencement of the Plunkett Shield match, Canterbury v. Wellington. The rain had done very little damage to the wicket at the Basin Reserve, so that there was little more delay than usual in getting the teams into tha field. The teams were as follow : — Wellington : W. A. Baker, S. Brice (captain), J. Burns, H. E. Burton, W. Bray, W. R. L. Gibbs, J. S. Hiddlestone, F. A. Midlane, C. Robinson, T. Southall, C. G. Wilson. Canterbury : C. Beal, C. Boxshall, H. A. Bishop, T. Carlton, R. G. Hickmott, M'LacKlan, W. Patrick (captain), Sandman, Thomas, F- Wood, and A. Witta. Canterbury won the toss, and chose to bat, Carton and Bishop opening the innings. Rain began to tall again just as Wellington took the field. Robinson sent down the first over — a maiden — from the north end, and Southall bowled from the south. Bishop sent his first ball to the boundary for four, and repeated the leg stroke with the last ball of the over. From the fourth ball of Robinson's second over, Carlton gave a chance to Baker at point. The fieldsman dropped it, and made a reckless return, giving Canterbury two for an overthrow. After two overs, Southall was taken off in favour of Brice. Twenty went up after twenty minutes' play, Bishop driving Robinson for four. Robinson found difficulty in making pace on the wet wicket, but smart fielding kept the runs down j and not much was scored off the fast bowler anyway. Oil the last ball of Robinson's fifth over (a maiden) Carlton gave a chance, which was accepted by Gibbes at third man. 28—1—7. Hickmott, the next man in, commenced his score with a couple of singles. After Brice had bowled four overs, yielding eleven runs, his place was taken by Hiddlestone, who sent down a maiden over. With his score at thirty, Bishop gave a chance behind the wicket to Burns, who let it pass. Brice went on again at the south, and Gibbes i relieved Robinson at the north. Hicki mott cut Gibbes to the boundary for four. After an hour's play rain necessitated an adjournment. The score was then 63 for one wicket, Bishop being 43. The wicket was inspected at intervals during the afternoon, and it was expected that a decision would be come to at 3.30 p.m. on the question of resumption of play.