PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 19444, 30 December 1926, Page 3

PLUNKET SHIELD

. -4 SOME BATTING FIREWORKS WELLINGTON’S LAST WICKET SENSATION OTAGO SET COLOSSAL TASK [Special to the ‘ Star.’] WELLINGTON, December 29. Some butting > fireworks were witnessed at the Basin Reserve to-day, when the fourth day’s play in the Plunkct Shield match between Otago and Wellington produced the most exhilarating cricket of the whole- game. Otago were doing exceptionally well, Mid had eight Wellington wickets down for 169 when Badcock and James got together and put on 72 runs for the ninth wicket. This was eclipsed, however, by Brice and James, who made a most stubborn stand for the last wicket, which added no fewer than 138 runs to the score, James winding up with 107 not out and Brice, the last man, scoring 70. The innings closed for 379, which left Otago the colossal task of making 621 runs to win in the fourth innings of the match. Doubtless tired by their strenuous time in the field, Otago failed badly in their second innings against the bowling of Badcock and M'Girr, and at the drawing of stumps to-day had lost six wickets for 122 runs. The Otago men still require 498 runs with only four wickets iu band.

WELLINGTON’S SENSATIONAL INNINGS.

With four wickets down for 103, Lowry (33) and Lambert (13) continued Wellington’s second innings at 11 o’clock to-day in hot, muggy weather. Blunt took up tho howling from tho northern end, Torrance having charge of the attack from the other end. Lambert placed tho fourth ball of Torrance’s over past cover to the pickets, placing tho 6ats am in tho twenties. Lowry got 3 for a lucky snick through tho slips off Blunt, end Lambert got 2 off the next ball to cover, A. Alloo saving tho boundary with his feet. Lambert then played forward to one from Blunt, and cocked tho ball up the pitch. Blunt got to it by running up the wicket, and throwing himself in a supremo effort brought off a great catch. Lambert had baked brightly for his 25, assisting Lowrv to add 63 for tho fifth wicket.

M'Girr joined Lowiy, who was 40, and opened by hanging the first hall he received to the fence at square leg. Lowry then powerfully drove Torrance past cover to the fence. Lowry, who had played a finished innings for 44, which included four or-.inla-y shns, was then bowled by a beauty from Torrance, which came in from tho leg. Otago were doing well. The colt Hollings, woo had failed to score in the first innings, came next, and after notching a couple off Blunt on the off, pulled the slow bowler to the pickets at square leg. This brought 130 up. They went along to 142, when M'Girr swung at one from Torrance and lifted tho ball straight into H. Alloo’s hands at mid-on. James came next, and got Blunt away to long leg for 3, Zimmerman cutting off tho boundary hy using his feet. The 150 came up - fdr 160 minutes’ play. At 154 A. Alloo relieved Blunt, who .fad sent clown sixteen overs for 73 runs. It was a treat to watch the two colts moving nimbly between the wickets. They picked np many short runs which tho older and more sedate members of the side had missed earlier in the innings. They ran 2 for a tap to leg by Hollings off A. Alloo while the veteran Blamires chased the leather, and they picked np another easily while the slow return was coming in. Hollings reached 20 by placing Torrance past Blamires at first slip to the fence. The colts continued to run for every shot to cover, hut at 169 Hollings, who had reached 23, was bowled hy A. Alloo.

Badcock came next, and caused some fireworks. He poked the first ball to Blunt at first slip, 1 but the fieldsman just failed to roach it. The next hall tho Englishman drove hard into Torrance’s hands at mid-on, but the fieldsman, after juggling with the leather, put it on the carpet. It was a great attempt, however. They went for the run, and Blamires threw James’s wicket down as he flashed his bat over the crease. It was a close thing, and the grand finale to quite a sequence of sensations off two balls. James then opened out, and got Torrance away several times to leg. Facing Alloo, he got one away to long leg, and they ran 4 for it, another coming for an overthrow. Badcock then opened out, and lifted A. Alloo high to long-off, where H. Alloo misjudged what should have been an easy catch, tho hall landing over the fieldsman’s head and rolling to the boundary. Badcock then slammed A. Alloo to the fence at extra (ong-ou. This brought Dickinson on to steady the rapid scoring, hut Badcock swung the fast bowler to the fence at square leg. Tins brought 200 np for 186 minutes’ play. Blunt now had a try in place of A. Alloo. Badcock was showing his team mates that thero was nothing wrong with the wicket. Ho powerfully on drove Dickinson to the track, the leather travelling at rare pace along the carpet. The linglishman then snicked one dangerously close to the slips, which flashed to the fence. Blunt completely beat James with a leg break, but the ball missed the sticks, and Green failed to stump tho batsman through failing to take tho ball. Badcock then twice smacked Blunt to the fence on tho on side. This placed Badcock in the thirties. At 229 Blamires had a try in place of Dickinson, and James hooked the Otago captain’s second ball to the benches at square leg, and got tho sixth delivery away to long leg for 4. The rapid scoring was refreshing after the poking play which had prevailed for the greater part of the match. The first hall of Blunt’s next over Badcock jumped out for a slam, missed, and was smartly stumped by Green. The Englishman had given a refreshing hitting display, smacking up his 35 (which included eight 4’s) in about 20 minutes. He had helped James to add 72 for the ninth wicket. This bright partnership had redeemed the innings.

Brice, the lash man, joined James, who was 43, and cooked one hack towards Blamires, hut the veteran bowler was too slow to get to it. The Otago captain tempted Brico with a donkey drop, but the Wellington skipper waited for it and lifted it on the third hop for a couple to deep square leg. A faster one from Blunt heat everything, just grazed James’s sticks, and went through for four bytes. This brought 250 up. James then hopped out and hit Blunt on the full toss to tho fence at mid-on, reaching his half century. Torrance came on again at 256. and A. Alloo took tho ball from Blunt. After a period of careful play James got Torrance past cover for 3. James reached 60 hy getting Alloo flnkily through the slips for 2, and mis-hitting tho next ball to square leg for a couple. Brico was “playing the rock” for James, and doing it very well. At 271 Blunt relieved Torranoe, and Zimmerman had a try in Alloo’s place. James hooked the Oamaru left-hander to the fence at square leg, 7 coming from the over. The pair .were still together at the luncheon adjournment, James being 69 and Brice 10. The last wicket had added 40 runs, and the hoard showed 278 for nine wickets.

On resuming at 1.45, A. W. Alloo and Blunt continued to bowl. After a period of watcMjd play Brice lifted Alloo to the boundary at iong-ol!. Off

the last ball of Alloo’s twenty-first over Brice placed one dangerously close to Blunt at second slip. James then banged one from Blunt to the benches at square leg, and Brice followed suit. Another powerful hook by James sent one from Blunt flashing over the boundary at square- leg. This brought the third hundred up for 250 minutes' play, amd made James 80. James next backcut Alloo to the ropes. At 308 Dickinson took the ball from Blunt, and Brice swung the fast bowler to the ropes at long leg, reaching the 20’s and bringing 310 up. Zimmerman then relieved Alloo, ami Brice swept the Oamaru man round to the fence at long leg, vory_ nearly tramping on his wicket as ho pivoted for the stroke. James reached the 90’s hy crisply latecutting Dickinson for 4, and there was speculation as to whether the youthful wicketkeeper would get his century. Brice reached the 30’s by gliding Dickinson to leg for a couple, and he then powerfully booked the fast bowler to mid-on for 4. At 330 Torrance took the ball from Dickinson. James crept up bv singles to 97, nuul be hung there tor some time, both bowlers being on the spot. A single to log oft Torrance made James 98; ' Brico reached 40 and brought 340 up by getting Torrance to leg for 2, and driving him past cover for 3. The last-wiekct partnership had now produced 100 runs. At 313 A. Alloo relieved Zimmerman, who had Jjowled really well. A great burst of cheering wont up when James reached his century by hitting Alloo to tho fence at micl-oai, and placing himself in the New Zealand team for England. Now that the tension had been removed, both batsmen took more risks. Brico opened out to Alloo, reaching his half-century. Ho then slammed the last hall of tho over to the fence at mid-on. Tho Wellington captain was now playimg good cricket, and quickly ran to 60. He then swung Shepherd to the benches at long leg,, and lifted the next one over long-un’s head to the tracks.

Huns were now coming at hurricane pace. James had a narrow escape of being run out at 377, Shepherd throwing the wicket down as they went for a short one. The end came at 379, Brice, who had played a sterling innings for 70, being clean bowled by Alloo. He kept his wicket np to let James got his century, and then opened out on the bowling, hitting nine 4’s. James was left not out with 107 to his credit. Ho again showed that ho is an enterprising batsman, who can force runs against good bowling. He hit one fiver and eleven 4’s in his bright display. The last-wicket partnership ■added 188 runs, and changed the whole complexion of the game. A TRYING ORDEAL. The Otago bowlers had gone through a trying ordeal, but Arthur Alloo came out of it well, with distinct credit, sending down 230 deliveries, off which only 94 runs were scored, and ho secured five wickets. Blunt also did well to get three for 113 off twenty-five overs; and Torrance was very steady, while sending along eighteen overs for two wickets and 47 runs. Tho Otago fielding was again first class, but dropped catches cost the side dearly. OTAGO’S FAILURE.

Requiring 621 to win, Shepherd and Blunt commenced Otago’s second innings at 3.12, Badcock and M'Girr taking up tho bowling. Badcock had his oft theory going again, with only one man, Brico (at mid-on), on the onsido. The Englishman opened with four maiden overs, but the batsmen were more at homo to M'Girr, the first 10 runs all coming from this howler. At last Shepherd got a single off Badcock’.s fifth over, breaking the string of maiden overs. The wicket was showing signs of wear, one of M’Girr's tearaways rearing up and giving Blunt a rap over tho heart Blunt rcachet. double figures, while Shepherd was scoring four singles, but the latter then opened out, and banged M'Girr to t’n spectators at mid-on. This brought 2 up. Badcock had no.v howled six over for 1 run. With 23 up, Lambert rc placed M'Girr, whose live overs Inn. cost 19 runs. The tea adjournment w.a-, taken, with the score at 24, Blunt being 12, and Shepherd 9. On resuming, the fourth ball e! Badcock’s seventh over dean bowled Shepherd, who tried a Hick to leg. .Knight arrived, to see Blunt drive M'Girr to the fence at long-off, Kortlang valiantly endeavoring to overtake a rolling ball which was much too fast for him. Knight, the patient stonewaller of the first innings, blossomed out in a new role, lie powerfully drove Badcock to the loug-off boundary, and placed the next delivery to squareleg for a couple. Blunt reached 20 hy forcing Badcock to the on for a single. A single to Knight off M'Girr brought 40 np. At 45 M'Girr, - who had sent down ten overs for 26 runs, gave way to Brice,, who had his favorite leg theory going. A sweet off drive by Blunt olf Badcock brought 3, Lambert cutting off tho boundary by sprinting hard. The 50 came up in seventy minutes, and then a fast one hy Brice went clean through for 4 byes. With 55 on the slate, Badcock, who had bowled thirteen overs for 21 runs and a wicket, gave way to Hollings. With tho fieldsmen all huddled round his heels, Knight placed Brice past cover to the fence. Blunt sweetly tapped Hollings through the slips for 3, reaching the thirties. He then sent Brico speeding to the fence at long-off, and back cut Hollings lor 3. With his score at 33. one from Brice reared up and struck Blunt on the glove, the ball cocking up to Lambiyt, close in on the leg side, who look a one-handed catch.

Cherry came next, and drove Brice to the on lor 3, and lifted him high to the . boundary at square-leg. At 82 Hollings, whose four overs had cost 12 runs, was replaced by Badcock, and Knight,-who had reached 19, was brilliantly caught by Hollings at second slip off the Englishman’s first hall. Dickinson followed, only to see Cherry, who had reached 11, clean bowled by Badcock. A. W. Alloo came in to sec what ho could do. A fast one. from Brice beat James, and travelled to the sightscreen for 4 byes. The hundred came up for 120 minutes’ play. At 304 M'Girr replaced Brice, whose ten overs had cost 25 runs and a wicket, and Alloo brought 130 up by square cutting the last ball of the Hutt howler’s over to the fence. Dickinson reached double figures by turning Radcock to the on for a couple, and getting him through tho slips for a similar number, the last stroke' going perilously close to Hollings at second slip. With 135 his end came, Hiddleston taking a smart catch in the slips off M'Girr.

Blamires, tho Otago skipper, joined A. Alloo, who was 14, and the score was moved along to 120. With tlie tally at 122 A. Alloo, who had scored 19, was beaten all the way by M'Girr. Zimmerman joined his captain, but at 5.50 an appeal against tho liglit was uphold, and stumps were drawn for the day. . . With the hoard showing six wickets down for 122, Otago were left in a hopeless position, as they still require 498 runs, with only four wickets in hand. Badcock again bowled exceptionally well, sending clown twenty overs, off which only 36 runs were scored, while he claimed three wickets. He kept a perfect length, and worried the batsmen greatly with his off theory. M'Girr secured two for 37 off thirt;an overs, and Brico on© for 25 off nine over-s.

The attendances have been Rood throughout, and' up to (and including) to-day £565 has been taken lor the four days. Details;— WELLINGTON. First innings ■... >.■ 448 . Second Innings, R. Do R. Worker c Green b A. WAlloo £5 .T. Sr Hiddleston c and bA. W. Alloo 21 B. J. Kortlang c Blaraires b A. W. Alloo ... 0 C. E. Dempster b Blunt 6 T. C. Lowry b Torrance 44 H. N. Lambert c and b Blunt ... 25 H. M. M'Girr e H. C. Alloo b Torrance 11 A. M. Hollings b A. W. Alloo ... 25 F. T. Badcock st Green b Blunt ... 35 W. S. Brico b A. W. Alloo 70 K. James not out 107 Extras 12 Total 579 Bowling Analysis.—Dickinson, II overs. 0 maidens, 68 runs, 0 wickets; Blamircs, 2 overs, 0 maidens, 12 runs, 0 wickets; A. W. Alloo, 28 overs, 6 maidens, 5 wickets, 94 runs; Blunt, 25 overs, 3 maidens, 113 runs, 3 wmkets; Torrance, IB overs, 3 maidens, 47 runs, 2 wickets ; 11. C. Alloo. .1 over. 3 -uus, U wickets. OTAGO. First innings ... 207 Second Innings. J. Shepherd b Badcock ... ... 9 N. C. Blunt e Lambert b Brice ... 38 A. Knight c-Hollins b Badcock ... ’9 R. Cbcrrv b Badcock 11. A. W. Alloo b M'Girr ... ; 9 ({, Dickinson c Hiddleston b M'Girr 13 ■E. C. Blamircs not out 2 <j. Zimmerman not out 0 Extras H Total for six wickets ... 152 Bowling Analysis.—.ftadcock, 20 overs, 8 maidens, 36 runs, 3 wickets; M'Girr, 13 overs, 1 maiden, 39 runs, 2 wickets; Lambert, 1 over, 0 maidens, 1 run, 0 wickets; Brice, 9 overs, 2 maidens, 25 runs, 1 wicket; Hollings, 4 overs, 0 maidens, 12 runs, 0 wickets. CANTERBURY BEATEN AUCKLAND GAINS FIVE WICKET MARGIN [Pan United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 29. The Plunket Shield match Auckland v. Canterbury ended this afternoon in a win for Auckland by five wickets. Canterbury Haltered their supporters by running up a total of 257 in their second innings, leaving Auckland with 166 runs to get to win. Canterbury still had a chance when five Auckland wickets had fallen for 72, bub thereafter Gillespie and Frater, the Auckland batsmen, mastered the bowling, and made the necessary runs. Iff ills and Bowley opened Auckland’s second innings to the bowling of Cunningham and Read. Bowley played Cunningbam’s sixth delivery round into Sandman’s bands at square leg, but Sandman failed to hold the easiest of catches. Bowley was fated to go, however. for Read sent him back to the pavilion with his sixth ball. 2—l—2. Cooper filled the vacancy. The rate of scoring was slow, the batsmen playing themselves in carefully to very good bowling. Thirty was reached after thirty-five minutes’ play. _ The total was 36 when Sandman relieved Cunningham, and off his fourth ball Mills gave a hard return to the bowler—a difficult catch—which was not accepted. When play was resumed after lunch a light drizzle iell,_ making the hall greasy again, a condition very much in Cue batsmen's favor. Cooper was alii ost immediately caught in the slips off ■lead. 49-2-20.

Gillespie, tho next man, looked comrtablc, but very soon Mills gave a nine© off Cunningham to Read, at

lid-on, tho catch being dropped. Next jail, however, the batsman was out leg lefore.

Alcott stopped two balls and was whittled by Cunningham. 63—i—0. Da ere, the next man, made a single, and then stepped in front of a_ straight one from Read, and was out. 72—5—1. Frater and Gillespie played carefully together for a quarter of an hour, and then showed good, aggressive cricket combined with reasonable caution. Frater gave one chance off Cunningham to Sandman, at deep square log, when the total was 140, but the catch was not accepted. Gillespie played a faultless knock, and never looked like being beaten. Scores :—• CANTERBURY. First innings 128 Second Innings. Gregory run out 6 Crawford c and b Alcott 15 Cox e Cooper b Player 10 Pago Ibw b Rowley 78 Oliver b Alcott 0 Patrick c Gillespie b Rowley 8 Sandman c and b Rowley 15 Roon b Rowley 72 Read Ibw b Matheson 44 Cunningham rim out 2 Burrows not out 1 Extras ... 6 Total 257 Bowling Analysis.—Player, one for 50; Alcott, two for 71; Rowley, four for 84; Cooper, none for 23; Dacre, none for 10; Wdson, none for P; Matheson. one for 4. AUCKLAND. First innings 220 Second Innings. Rowley b Read 2 Mills Ibw b Cunningham 29 Cooper c Talbot b Read 20 Gillespie not out 54 Alcott b Cunningham 0 Dacre Ibw b Read 1 Frater not out ... 51 Extras 10 Total for five wickets ... 167 Bowling Analysis.—Cunningham, two for 60; Read, three, for 49; Sandman, none for 21; Patrick, none for 13; Burrows, none for 14. CANTERBURY'S TEAM fp3R United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 29. In the Canterbury team to play Wellington Cox and Burrows have Been replaced by D. M'Bcath and F. Woods. OTAGO V, AUCKLAND In its match against Wellington the Otago team can scarcely be said to have been favored by the goddess of fortune; therefore when the match between this province and Auckland takes place at Carisbrook a much better fight may bo expected, especially as Otago invariably plays better cricket on its homo ground. Those of our players who failed to strike their best form in the capital city may be relied upon to show an improvement here, while the Auckland eleven will be right out to win. Special interest will attend the appearance of Rountree, who, say the critics, is not only the best wicketkeeper in the dominion, but one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. Allcott is also an all-round player of note who is almost certain to find a place in the New Zealand team for England. And, despite the fact that the fixture is a Plunket Shield match, and consequently a serious matter, everything points to a display of bright and interesting cricket. The match begins on Saturday (New Year's Day), and will be played out.