PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 18851, 28 January 1925, Page 9

PLUNKET SHIELD

AUCKLAND BEATS WELLINGTON. holders lose by three wickets Auckland gained a good victory over Wellington in tho Blanket .Shield match, which was concluded at Auckland yesterday, the visitors being defeated by three wickets, after a. very interesting contest. Wellington made only 75 runs in their second inningfc, which commenced disastrously on the previous afternoon. Play was resumed on a bowler’s wicket, though it had improved since Monday, and the visitors added only 4 runs for six wickets, which fell to Allcott and Sneddon, who bowled unchanged, and were always dangerous, both taking full advantage of the conditions. Hiddleston was tho only batsman to make a stand. Faced with the task of making 175 runs for a win, Auckland made a bad start, tho first wicket going before tho score was opened; and, though tho second-wicket partnership put on 40, four batsmen had been dismissed when tho total was 47. Tho wicket improved during the afternoon, and a- light rain made tho batsmen’s task easier; but llorspool, who went in when tlio fourth wicket fell, was the first to show any confidence. However, with the seventh-wicket partnership between Smith and Dacre, victory for the home side was assured. Dacre played up to Ids reputation as a batsman, and his innings was one, of tho outstanding features of tho day. ilo was soon in his stride, and knocked up 46 in fine style, giving an exhibition of free hitting. He hit three boundaries, including a 6, in succession off Badcock. Smith was also in form, and carried his hat for 32. The, pair -put on 75 runs, leaving only 5 more to got. These wore secured without difficulty. In the later stages (he, batsmen had the measure of tho howling, and runs came freely, to tho delight of tho spectators. Hiddleston came through (ho match with flying colors. His bowling always commanded great respect, and it was only just before tho close of the game that the batsmen wore able to score from him. He kept a perfect length, and at one stage sent down eight consecutive maidens out of nine overs. Ho finished up with a tally of four wickets for 35 runs.

Wellington had lost four wickets for 26 runs when Hiddleston (13) and M'Girr (4) resinned flatting. Hiddleston started by swinging Allcott to the boundary twice in the first over. Sneddrn opened the bowling at the. other end, and M'Girr got his tirsl. hall to the boundary, but. the howler had his revenge, getting the batsman’s off stump with his next ball, which swung in. 38-5—12. M'Girr had hit three boundaries.

lladcock joined Hiddleston, a.nd was evidently puzzled by Allcott, who was turning a lot. However, Hiddleston played confidently, and (lie half-century was hoisted after twenty-five minutes’ play. Badcock notched 6 before being caught at the wickets by Garrard. 61—6—6. Prince tilled the vacancy, but only 10 rims bad been added before Allcott beat Hiddleston with a change of pace, and got, his off stump. 71—7—39. Ilicldleston had played a most valuable innings. Doneghuc was bowled first ball (71 —8—0), and Allcotl’s tally was now four wickets for 23 runs.

Barclay joined Prince, but Sncdden bowled the latter before there was any addition to the total. 71—9—0. Three wickets had fallen for no runs. In an hour’s play the total had been raised from 26 to 71, and five wickets had fallen. Barclay got Allcott to the boundary, hut in Sncdden’s next over James was caught close in at short leg by Smith, and the innings closed for 76. AUCKLAND’S SECOND INNINGS. Wanting 173 runs to win, Auckland opened their second innings with Garrard and Gillespie half an hour before lunch, but the partnership- was short-lived, Badcock dismissing Garrard with ins second ball. Postlcs joined Gillespie, who opened the scoring with a boundary, and got to double figures with good strokes on both sides of the wicket. After two overs Bernau was replaced by Hiddleston, but both batsmen played soundly, and 20 was reached in as many minutes. The total was 31 when the "luncheon adjournment was iaken, Gillespie being 20 and his partner 8. Shortly after play was resumed Postlcs was caught off Badcock. 40—2—13. Gillespie suffered a similar fate. 43—3 —20. Anthony and llorspool, -who played a fine partnership in the first innings, then became associated, but, Anthony was clean bowled by Hiddleston when the total was 47. He had scored only 3. fiiieddeii filled tho vacancy. Hiddleston bad now sent down four maidens in succession. llorspool brought up the halfcentury with his second boundary oft Badcock. He glanced him to leg for 2, drove him to the fence, and then swung him to the leg boundary, knocking 14 off the over. Bain was falling at this stage. Rncdden opened -his account with a single off Badcock, bringing 64 up. When M’Girr look over from Badcock, at 69, Hiddleston had sent down eight consecutive maidens. Sneddon got the new bowler's third ball to tho boundary, M'Girr ricked his hack in Ids first oyer, and retired, being replaced in the field by Donaldson. Sneddon was dismissed soon after, touching one to James behind the wickets. 82—5—9. Smith joined llorspool. and both played Collins confidently, llorspool brought 93 np with a. boundary through the slips off Hiddleston, but next bah ho was caught by Rnnaldson. He bad played a firstclass innings. 93 —6—30. Auckland’s prospects of getting tho 80 runs now required tor a win became much brighter when Dacro and .Smith got going. At 95 Badcock came on again, and Smith lifted him to tho boundary. He brought the century up with a yinglo off llie same bowler. Tho baismau livened up the game, and 20 runs were put on in quick time. Reman came on, and Dacre welcomed him by driving him to the boundary throe times in succession and getting him through tho slips for a couple. Both batsmen were playing confidently, and when Badcock howled again Smith knocked 9 off him, bringing 150 up. By tho end of Hiddle.stnn’s next over the partnership had added 60, and with only another 20 runs required victory for Auckland was almost in sight. The bowling seemed to bo losing its sting, and Dacro raised great applause by driving Badcock twice to tlm boundary and then lifting him high over tho lino for 6. He knocked 15 off tho over. However, his bright performance ended with tho first haft of Hiddlcstun’s next over, Dacro being caught on tho boundary by Prince. 168—7—46. The retiring batsman’s total included six 4‘s and a 6. Auckland wanted only 5 for a, win when Allcott came in, and ho reduced tho number to 2 by pulling Hiddleston for 3, and then Smith put. tho issue beyond doubt by swinging (bo next, ball for 2. The shield holders were beaten by three wickets. Scores — WELLINGTON.

AUCKLAND. First innings 34b Second Innings.

Cowling Analysis.—Huddleston, four for 35; Cadcock, three for 87; Ccrnau, none W 22; M'Girr, none for 9; Collins, none for 7; Barclay, none for 4.

First innings 443 Second innings 75

Garrard b Bedrock ~ 0 Gillespie c Prince, b Badcock ... ... 20 Postlcs c Prince b Bedrock ... 13 Anthony b Hiddleston ... ... 3 llorspnol c Rtmaldson b Hiddleston ... 38 Sncdden c James b Huddleston ... ... 9 Smith not out ... ■■■ ... 32 Dnci'e c Prince b Hiddleston ... 46 Allcot.t not out ... 3 Extras — y Total for seven wickets ... ... 173