PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 20996, 9 January 1932, Page 16

PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

AUCKLAND BATSMEN AGAIN FAIL SIX WICKETS TO MERRITT [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 9. With the score 65 for one wicket and much leeway to make up Auckland resumed their second innings in tho Plunket Shield match in perfect weather today. Weir (3) and Frater (37) began confidently to the bowling of Cromb and Merritt. Tho slow bowler’s length varied, but Oromb struck a good length and tho batsmen were content to play him. However, they gradually got set and the score mounted slowly, despite changes in the bowling. Weir pulled Lester’s first delivery to the fence and raised 100 amid applause. Woir then opened out and drove Burrows. Auckland’s stocks were rising when Weir attempted to drive a ball from Burrows which kept low and hit his middle stick. His fighting innings had pleased the Auckland supporters. The partnership had put on 84 runs. 134—2—51. Gillespie came in and the scoring slowed down. The fieldsmen were keen and vigilant. Frater reached 70 by square-cutting_ Merritt to_ the fence, but after a single Gillespie swung at a full toss, missed, and was given out. 147—3—8. Vivian was next, and amidst great applause lifted Burrows into the pavilion for 6. When he faced Merritt Page spread a cordon round the fence. In Burrows’s next over Frater played the ball to the on. Vivian ran up, and Frater urged him back, but the wicketkeeper had the bails off. 157—4—7. In Merritt’s next over M’Coy played the ball on. 157—5—0. Frater jumped out to Merritt, and was well outside tho crease when Burns flicked the bails off. Frater had played an excellent innings of good shots all round the wicket. 160 —6—74. Clark came, and helped M'Millan to wipe out the southern team’s lead, but the home side had only four wickets in hand. Then M'Millan patted the ball, and Merritt leaped to make a left-hand catch. 167— 1 7—7. Matheson started well, although he was caught by Crawford off a no-ball from Merritt. Cromb’s good length kept tho batsmen wary, and Merritt’s reverse break always troubled them. Just before lunch Clark reached forward to a ball that turned away, and Burns secured another victim. 189—8—10.. Details AUCKLAND. First innings 56 Second Innings. Whitelaw c Cromb b Merritt ... 13 Frater st Burns b Merritt 74 Weir b Burrows 51 Gillespie Ibw b Merritt ... 8 Vivian run out 7 M'Coy b Merritt 0 M'Millan o and b Merritt 7 Clark st Burns b Merritt 10 Matheson not out ... 13 Extras ... 6 Total for eight wickets ... 189 CANTERBURY. First innings 218