PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 19, 24 January 1927, Page 12

PLUNKET SHIELD

KEEN STRUGGLE

WELLINGTON IN AGAIN

LOhT.Y'S FINE INNINGS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, 22nd January.

Exciting cricket was again provided at Eden Park to-day, where a record crowd of 9000 spectators witnessed the continuation of the final Plunket Shield match of the season between Auckland and Wellington. ■ '

In reply to Wellington's score of 182, Auckland made 307—Dacre' scoring 57 in somewhat scratchy style, while Gillespie played a solid innings for 50. Facing a deficit of 125 runs, Hiddlestoh and Worker made a bad opening'for Wellington, both being out to excellent catches.by Rowhtree when the score was only 3. However, Kortlang .and Lowry, by excellent batting, carried the score to 173 before stumps were drawn for the day. The wicket tvas in first-class condition yesterday, and this morning there was little sting in it, but by.the afternoon this had disappeared. Intgnt on giving their side a first innings' lead, Dacre and Allcott commenced brightly to the bowling of Badcock and Henderson. Allcott was facing Henderson confidently, but with his score at. 6 he went to play the fast bowler to leg: the ball came off his pads and took off his bails. ... ;

Dacre, who was joined by, Gillespie, gave the third chance of his innings, snicking one from Badcock ,to James behind the wicket, but the 'keeper failed to hold it. The batsmen then • played: steady cricket. The score mounted steadily, and-a forcing shot to leg for three by Dacre off Henderson saw Auckland .pass their opponents' total with five wickets still in hand. Then scoring commenced to brighten. Dacre employed his crisp shot through the slips to score off both.bowlers, but lie was still very patchy. Then followed a dramatic incident. Dacre played a ball just past Henderson at point, and Gillespie called him for a run. The Eden batsman dashed up the wicket, but when Henderson fielded the ball Dacre was still in his crease. It seemed that Dacre must be,run out,,but Henderson gave a-wild return, what was a certain wicket being.turned into two runs for an overthrow,. '.'.'.•

The bowlers appeared to. be tiring, and Dacre brought 200 up. Brice could not bring about a separation, and 'with the scot-e at 220 he brought Henderson on in place of Badcock. The fast, left-hander, whom Dacre had never faced with great confidence, dismissed the Auckland captain with his first ball. Dacre snicked it into the slips, and Hiddle6ton took the catch. Dacre mad made 57. .

Auckland's hopes fell when Anthony, who had opened confidently, started feeling for Henderson's off' deliveries^ He snicked one to James, and this time the wicketkeeper held it. Seven wickets were down for 230. ■'•.'•

Then further disaster came. Matheson opened. quietly, and with Gillespie, who was playing a fine, sound .game, took the score to 246. Then he. went across to M'Girr and was given out leg before wicket. .:-■-■

Partnered by Player, Gillespie added to his score with some nice shots. ■■ The luncheon adjournment' was taken with the score at 257. ' .

Both batsmeii continued to bat steadily,' and Gillespie raised his' half •century. Presently Gillespie was Out after a sterling innings of 50, absolutely chanceless, - and characterised by perfect defence., ..■• Rowntree came in with the total at 291.. Player commenced to liven up, pulling M'Girr round to the on boundary. Rowntree got one away for- three, and. then with a neat shot through the slips off Henderson brought 300 up. Player continued to bat Drightly, being. strong •on both sides of the .vicket, but Rowntree; with the" score at 307, put one .up to. Brice in the slips, arid. Auckland's innings closed 125 ahead of Wellington's. ; : DISASTROUS OPENING. Wellington^ second innings opened sensationally. In the second over, with only three runs on the board, Hiddleston made'; , twi«,&, fay& Ite xpp\KttS6 Wai scavceV &£& ' down when Worker edged one from Matheson just clear of his leg, and again.Rowntree snapped it up—a wonderful catch. A;n audible gasp went up when Lowry, the next man, edged Matheson dangerously into the slips. The the Wellington batsmen settled down and took no risks, although Kortlang made no mistake with an occasional loose ball on the leg from Matheson. Lowry was very quiet to Allcott, and facing Matheson he'put one lip near inid-on. Cooper: dived for ; the ball, but it was just out of reach. ■ •■"■•■.

Matheson was somewhat erratic,■: arid Lowry opened out to. him, r getting one hard cover-drive through to the boundary.. The appearance of Bowley at the bowling crease was greeted with applause,: but Kortlang refused to .be tempted by the coach's slow deliveries. He was going out

Henderson .(on left), who captured six Auckland wickets for 70 runs, and Lambert, who took two for 22.-

and playing them straight ■ back, but in Bbwley's second over he was beaten by one. However, he was using, his pads as a second line of defence in excellent fashion. The tea adjournment came with the score at 53. The Auckland slow bowlers, Bowley and Snedderi, ■were entrusted with the attack, but although the batsmen' were cautious to Bowley, they scored freely on the leg side off some short balls from Snedden. Then Kortlang exploited his leg shot at Bowles's expense, turning him neatly several times.. Allcott and Matheson were brought back, and scoring slackened until Lowi-y brightened up with powerful driving to the on, and crisp squarecutting, bringing the century on the board. Kortlang continued to specialise with leg shots, but his partner beat him easily in the race to 50, Lowry showing far more freedom. The score mounted steadily, until Auckland's total was passed, but still the batsmea played steady, chanceless cricket.

In Bowley's next over the long-looked-for sejjai-ation was at last effected, a great innings ending when a ball hit Kortlang's pads, and Eowntree's appeal for'leg-before-wicket was successful. Kortlang- had scored 58, but his innings was worth more than double that to Wellington. James followed, and Lowry was within two of his century w!..-n stumps were drawn for the day, witli the total at 173 for three wickets. WELLINGTON. First innings . "....; !..... 182 Second Innings. Hiddleston, c Bowntree, b Allcott •> Worker, c Rowntree, b Matheson !' 1 Kortlang, Ibw, b Bowley 58 Lowry, not out 9S James, not out ;.......;.!! ....:.' 4 Extras ...!.!.!.!!' 10 Total for three wickets 173 AUCKLAND. First Innings. Bowley, c and b Badcock ...... 33 Mills, b Henderson .; 63 Snedden, c M'Girr, b Lambert .!,'..!' 28 Cooper, c Brice,-b Lambert 0 Dacre, c Hiddleston, b Henderson .'. 57 Allcott, b Henderson g Gillespie, c James, b Henderson'!!!!!] 50 Anthony, c James, b Henderson .!!!" 5 Matheson, Ibw, b M'Girr " 6 Player, not out !....!!!' 27 Eowntree, c Brice, b Henderson !'. 25 Total .: 307

BOWLING ANALYSIS.

0. Henderson ..... 25.5 Lambert ■.... 6 Badcock 26 M'Girr 25 Hollings 2 Hiddleston >„....... 6 ar. w. r. .3 6 70 1 2 22 6 1 57 1 171 ■ 3 ■ — 12 -— -r- 43