AUCKLAND V. OTAGO

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1932, Page 5

AUCKLAND V. OTAGO

OTAGO MAKE 347

SHOCKING FIELDING

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Ist Januaxy.

The Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Otago commenced at Eden Park to-day in fine weather. The wicket was hard, and the outfield dry and fast. There was only a fair attendance of the public, this being due to numerous counterattractions. Otago had first use of the wicket, and the side gave a consistently good exhibition of batting in totalling 347. At drawing of stumps, Auckland had scored 24 for the loss of two wickets. Badcock was top-scorer for the visitors with 84, and he gave a bright, all-round display, particularly in the early part ot his innings, when he averaged over a run per minute. The crowd was disappointed at the early dismissal of Blunt, the record-holder, who lost his wicket on a run out through a foolish call by Badcock. Elmes and Dunning gave bright exhibitions for 49 and 36■■ respectively, while Knight and Smith were slower in compiling their contributions of 42 and 39. Auckland's fielding was really shocking in the morning, and, although there was an improvement after lunch, it was still far below what is expected of a good representative side. Some excuse could possibly be made* for a few of the ground mistakes, but- the wild returning to the wickets adding runs for overthrows was a bad fault, which could not be pardoned under any circumstances. There was not much sting in the Auckland bowling, which Weir handled very creditably. "Vivian and Weir were steadiest, although Lyon also bowled well at times, and deserved better success. Otago's innings occupied exactly five hours, in which more runs should have been scored after such a lively start had been made. Auckland was fortunate in getting rid of two such rapid scorers as Badcock and Blunt, who would no doubt have made light of what proved to be a moderate atteck. Runs came rapidly in the early stages, but there was a decided lull as the afternoon wore on. The light became bad as the ■ tea adjournment approached, and it was surprising that the later Otago men did not attempt to score more rapidly, or else get out and make the home team bat in the bad light. - ' . To give an idea of the slow rate of scoring toward the end, Moloney was in 36 minutes for 11 runs, McHaffie 25 minutes for 6, Coupland 67 minutes for 23, and Hawkesworth 27 minutes for 13. This was certainly flattering to the Auckland attack. Auckland lost two valuable wickets in the failing light, and when a drizzle set in stumps were drawn at 5.42 p.m. The following are the scores:— OTAGO. First Innings. F. T. Badcock, c Postles, b Vivian .. 84 R. Cherry, lbw, b Lyon 27 R. C. Blunt, run out g A. Knight, c Vivian, b Weir 42 S. Elmes, b Weir 40 D. Smith, b Vivian 39 J. A. Dunning, lbw, b Vivian ...'.'...'. 36 D. A. R. Moloney, run out 11 R. Coupland, b Vivian 24 >T. McHaffiie, b Matheson 6 W. Hawkesworth, not out 1." Extras \ m 10 Total Bowling Analysis.—Vivian took four for 73, Weir two for 46, Lyon one for 62, | Matheson, one for 96, Postles none for 13, Jl'Coy none for 47. AUCKLAND. First Innings. A. J. Postles. b Dunning ... 3. •T. E. Mills, b Badcock . \" n G. L. Weir, not out 6 11. G. Vivian, not out ]'" 6 Tolal for two wickets 24