PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 19759, 9 January 1928, Page 4

PLUNKET SHIELD

AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 7. Although Canterbury is leading Auckland on the first innings in the I lunket Shield game, the final results may turn either way. Auckland earned its ovornhdit score to 198. leaving the visitors 46°in the lead. However, due to the fine bowling by the colt G. L._ 'Weir, the visitors wer dismissed for 251, and Auckland scored 8 without loss before an appeal made against the light was upheld. Auckland now needs 290 for victory. , .. f»lay opened sensationally this morning. 'Mills was given not out from an appeal for caught behind the wickets olf Merritt’s first ball, although he admitted afterwards that ho had hit the hall. Then Read struck a length, and, interspersing off spinners with a ball swinging away, got three Auckland batsmen caught off shots behind the wicket. He bowled excellently, Matheson threw his wicket away in trying to hook a googly from Merritt, and the innings closed for 198. After a promising _ start Hamilton once again lost his wicket through his fondness for scoring .on the leg side. Dacre handled his attack well, and four of the best wickets fell for under 100. Tuns, Plea. Jacobs assisted his cac-

tain in improving tho position, and tho following partnership between rage and Nixon put a different complexion on the game. Pago batted soundly, scoring well with 'a forcing shot round to leg and leaving the off theory well alone. Nixon’s strong driving was most refreshing, but he got _ himself out through going for a big hit off a good length hall. Something, in the nature of a find has been made in G. L. Weir, who took four wickets for 48 in twenty-three overs. At present he is bowling a little short, and on a fast, true wicket it should be easy to hook him, but his good ball is a good ball, and that with which Newman was bowled off his pads fully deserved tho wicket. It would not bo surprising to see this young bowler succeed against Wellington on the Basin Reserve. Matheson put a lot of fire into his deliveries, and sent down some good halls. Dacre handled his attack well. In the absence of Allcott he is tho only left-hand bowler in the team, and should put himself on more frequently. Interesting cricket is promised on Monday. Auckland will have to start its innings afresh, and _ the game will resolve itself into a trial of strength -between the batting of Bowley, Mills, Dacre, and Gillespie and the.fine Canterbury attack of Merritt, Newman, and Read. Even now it is anybody’s game, but Canterbury will be unlucky to lose. Scores:— CANTERBURY. First innings 244 Second Innings. G. R. Gregory c Bowley b Anthony 12 I, M. Hamilton b Weir 26 M. L. Page Ibw bW. B. Cooper ... 76 ■W. E. Merritt b Matheson 9 J. Newman h Weir 13 J. Jacobs c Anthony b Weir 23 D. C. Nixon c Gillespie b Matheson 44 W. Hayes c Matheson b Weir ... 11 C. E. Evans b Bowley 24 R. Read c Matheson li Player ... 1 J. M'Ewiu not out 4 Extras 8 Total 251 Bowling Analysis.—G. L. Weir, 23 overs, 7 maidens, 48 runs, 4 wickets; Matheson, 26—4—70—2; Cooper, 6—l —18—1; Anthony, 14—2—33—1; Player, 21—7—35—T; Bowley, 95—0— 25—1; Dacre, 4—l—7—o: Garrard, 2 o—7—o. AUCKLAND. First innings 198

Second Innings. E. H. Bowley not out ... 3 J. E. Mills not out ... 3 Extras ... 2 Total for no wickets ... ... 8