PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 3

PLUNKET SHIELD

OTAGO’ V. WELLINGTON ! MATCH DRAWN [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 23. Gain as well as ultra cautious batting caused the 1,238 runs scored in the Plunket Shield match between Otago and Wellington to be wasted, as the game this afternoon resulted in a draw. Otago scored 351 in their second innings—exactly the same number of runs as Wellington had scored in their first knock. This meant that Wellington was left with 399 to get to win in the fourth innings of the match. There was plenty of time to get the runs, but unfortunately rain set in at the luncheon adjournment, and caused a couple of postponements, and eventually called a halt when Wellington had 136 up for the loss of three wickets. OTAGO’S SECOND INNINGS. Witli three wickets down for 234, Blunt (61) and Monk (31) resumed Otago’s second innings to-day at 11 o’clock. The weather was hot, muggy, and overcast, with a light breeze from the south. M’G'irr took up the attack, and broke a long partnership with his fourth delivery, Monk popping the hall into Hoar’s hands at silly mid-on. The retiring colt had shaped brightly for his 31, having assisted Blunt to add 65 for the fourth wicket. Gallant! joined Blunt, and Rotherham took up the bowling. The wicket was much faster than on the previous day, and the batsmen started to, put rniis on at a good pace. In M'Girr’s second over Gallant! hit one high to Hoar at extra long-on, but the fieldsman was unable to bold the catch. Lambert replaced M'Girr, and Blunt was now .shaping in his best form. He aroused enthusiasm by hitting the exWarwickshire County man ior two spanking 4’s in the same over, which cost 14 runs. At 288 Badcock took the hall from Lambert, anti Blunt ran into the eighties. Runs were now coming from almost every ball, the bright batting being most refreshing alter the ultra cautions tactics of the previous day. At 318 Foley was given a trial, and at once got Galland, who hit the second delivery into M’Girr’s hands at mid-off. Galland had rattled on his ■l4 in forty-two minutes, giving a breezy display. He had helped Blunt to put on 31 runs for the filth wicket. Cavanagh joined Blunt, who was 92, and interest centred in whether the latter would reach his century. At 322 Foley got his second wicket, Cavanagh miss-hitting one softly to Lowry close in at mid-off. Foley' had now taken two wickets for 5 runs. CENTURY TO BLUNT.

Arthur Alloo, who notched a century in his first innings, came next. Applause broke out from all round the ground when Blunt at last reached his century by powerfully hooking a short one from M’Girr to the fence at square leg. He was now playing sparkling cricket. Badcock took the ball from Foley, who had taken two wickets for 12 runs. Badcock got the Otago captain with his fourth ball, the batsman sending the latter into M'Girr’s hands at mid-off.

Elmes arrived, to sec Blunt, who had played a sterling innings for 114, clean bowled by M’Girr. He had been • vry restrained yesterday, but this morning he played delightful cricket, proving that he is still a master batsman. Zimmerman -did not last long, falling Ibw to Hoar after scoring a single. Douglas the last man, joined Elmes, but the innings, which had lasted for 353 minutes, closed at 12.30 for 351 with M’Girr clean bowling Douglas. M’Girr, who secured three for 35 off SI deliveries, bowled really well, and was well supported by Foley, who captured two for 16 off six overs with his left-handed slows. It was, however, Hoar and Badcock who bore the brunt of the attack. The former sent clown no fewer than 39 overs, 13 of which were maidens, and captured two wickets for 80, while, Badcock sent along 32 overs, 14 of which were maidens, capturing one wicket for 49. Wellington’s fielding was good, with Badcock active at cover and Dempster moving fast in the country. James was in his usual fine form with the gloves. WELLINGTON’S SECOND STRIKE. Requiring 399 to win, Dempster and Rotherham opened Wellington’s second innings to the howling of Eastman and A. W Alloo and at the luncheon adjournment Rotherham was 5 and Dempster 3. A light shower fell during the luncheon, necessitating a requisition for sawdust. When ploy was resumed tin bowlers were on the spot and the batsmen were very wary, there being six maidens in the first eleven overs. Rotherham skied one dangerously on the off, but the ball dropped clear of the -racing fieldsmen. Eastman was bowling like a machine. His first over was a maiden, three singles came off his second,-and he then sent down seven maidens in succession. Rotherham, who had given a bright display, was clean bowled by Alloo for 26. Badcock came next. Play continued in light rain, but when 40 came up an adjournment of 20min was made. The bowlers were considerably handicapped by the greasy ball and the slippery foothold. Alloo was bowling wide on the off, but Badcock moved across to one and tipped it into Galland’s hands behind the sticks. Foley joined Dempster, who had 14 singles and a 2 to his credit. Play continued to be deadly dull. Eastman had now bowled fourteen overs, nine of which were maidens, for 14 runs. With 61 on, Dempster j who had been at the wickets a long time for 21, played one from Eastman on to his wicket. After the afternoon tea adjournment Lamason accompanied Foley to the wickets, A. W Alloo and Eastman continuing the attack. The batsmen began to show more enterprise. At 83 Elmes relieved Alloo, whose nineteen overs had resulted in 44 runs and two wickets. Lamason went on to give the brightest display of the innings so far. At 100 Eastman, who had sent down twenty-one overs for- 37 runs and one wicket, gave way to Monk, and at 112 H, C Alloo took the ball from Elmes, whose four overs had cost 20 runs. It had commenced to drizzle again, and the umpires had a conference, the

crowd signifying disapproval of the delay, and after another over an adjournment was made at 4.55, the pair having added 77 for the fourth wicket. Rain continuing, stumps were drawn at this stage. Details:— OTAGO. First innings >.. 398 Second innings ... 351 WELLINGTON. First innings 351 Second Innings. C. S. Dempster b Eastman 21 G. A, Rotherham bA. W. Alloo ... 26 F. T Badcock c Galland b A. W. Alloo 5 H. Foley not out 27 J. R. Lamason not out ... 52 Extras ... ••• o Total for three wickets ... 136 Bowling Analysis.—-Eastman, one wicket for 37 runs; A. W. Alloo, two for 44 ; Elmes, none for 20; Monk, none for 13; H. C. Alloo, none for 13. Zimmerman, none\for 4.