PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1932, Page 9

PLUNKET SHIELD

OTAGO V. WELLINGTON

(By "Not Out.")

The final match of this season's Plunket Shield series is to be flayed this month. It will take place at Dunedin, and will bo between the. teams representing Wellington and Otago. No announcement has yet been, made regarding the personnel of the teams, except that a selection has been made of Otago players to practise in view of the match. The Otago team is likely to be much the same as that which made the northern tour, although it seems practically certain that Dickinson (who was unable to go on tour) will Be given a place, while there is some prospect of Cavanagh receiving favourable consideration for a place.

So far as the Wellington team is concerned not more than two changes arc expected. Little has happened since the matches with Auckland and Canterbury to cause the local selectors to make any drastic change?, but it was evident in those games that the bowling could be strengthened. Such changes as may bo deemed necessary should be made with a view to improving the bowling. It lias been reported that Massey will not be available, and his place should be taken by a bowler. However, it will come as no surprise if Lamason, who has filled the position of twelfth man in the two previous matches this season, is given the opportunity of playing against Otago. There is a doubt about Henderson, and if this player does not go to Dunedin his place should most certainly bo filled by a bowler. For any vacancies there are candidates in good supply, and, on the selectors' own choice when the team for the first of this season's Shield matches was selected, B. Morgan, S. Ward, and A. W. Duncan must bo included in the list. The statement by the selectors that Ti. G. McLeod was not available for the matches with Auckland and Canterbury on account of boing away on holiday also points to the fact that this player must be a strong candidate. A. jtf. Hollinga, too, was in the running for the previous matches, for one of which he was not available. MeLeod and Hollings certain]/- should strengthen the team, without providing the type of bowling required in place of that of Massey and Henderson. Several local bowlers of the medium-fast type have been doing well of late, and it is probable that the selectors will have paid heed to T. Eeancy's performances for Hawkes Bay against Canterbury—four for 47 and four for 30, as well as G9 and 7 with the bat. However, the Canterbury team was not a particularly strong ono for that match Keaney is a good type of all-rounder, but it is doubtfnl whether he has claims greater than those of a number of players in local cricket. The Otago-Wellington match commences on the 19th February, the day on which the South African cricketers are to leave Australia for Now Zealand.