FLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 21316, 21 January 1933, Page 9

FLUNKET SHIELD

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON CENTURY TO POSTLES [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 20. Overcast, sultry conditions prevailed to-day when the Plunket Shield match, Auckland v. Wellington, was commenced at Eden Park. A few light showers before the commencement gave the wicket some moisture, but it was easy when Auckland won the toss and decided to bat. A particularly fine start was made by Auckland, due to a fine opening partnership by Mills and Postles, who put on 146. Postles played a fine defensive innings for 102, but Mills was iflore enterprising in scoring 73. The next four Auckland batsmen scored consistently, Whitelaw 46, Vivian 57, Dacre 42, all being responsible for fine displays, the last-named giving a faultless, although restrained, exhibition. At one stage Auckland had five wickets down for 340, but a debacle then commenced, and the side was all out for 366. . . , The Wellington bowlers maintained a fine length throughout, and kept tho Auckland batsmen on the defensive for the most part. Newman especially was a model of accuracy, and he finished with four wickets for 105 runs in 48 overs, 22 being maidens. He appeared to be tho only bowler capable of making pace off the wicket. Although finding it hard to strike a length earlier in the innings, Freeman was persevered with, and’ finally took four wickets for 85 runs. Later batsmen showed very little confidence when facing him, and he was not afraid to pitch the ball up to the batsmen. He impressed as a very likely slow bowler, mixing his deliveries cleverly, a dangerous ball being one which came quickly off the wicket. A feature of the play was _ the fine ground fielding of the visiting side, runs being saved time after tune by smart picking up. The only fault was that the returning to the wickets was not of the same standard. Although faced by a couple of batsmen, Mills and Postles, who opened confidently from the start, and seemed likely to establish a large partnership, the Wellington bowlers did not lose heart, and in spite of the mounting total, _ still continued to keep tho batsmen in subdued mood. Batting with characteristic charm, Mills scored repeatedly on the off, also adding considerably to his total with with a number of judicious hook shots which penetrated the well-placed leg field. He scored at a consistent pace,

in contrast to his partner, who was spasmodic, breaking out with a number of fine shots on both leg and off. Included in his score of 102 were twelve boundaries, _ while Mills secured eleven. Probably his best exhibition in representative cricket was given by Whitelaw, who compiled 46. Brilliant shots through the covers predominated. Vivian was also in aggressive mood in scoring 57, and only his impetuosity finally resulted in his dismissal. Newman varied his pace and flight cleverly to get the brilliant colt caught in the outfield. Remembering his displays of former years, the crowd anticipated a bright showing w'hen Dacre went to the crease, but, although he batted exceedingly correctly for -42,, the sparkle of earlier times was missing. James handled the bowling with considerable judgment, and he set a standard behind the stumps which proved an inspiration to the other members of the team. On one or two occasions he appeared unlucky not to get stumping decisions. Details:— AUCKLAND.

First Innings. J, E. Mills b Newman 73 A. J. Pestles b Blundell 102 P. E. Wbitelaw Ibw b Blundell ... 46 G. L. Weir c Parsloe b Newman ... 25 H. G. Vivian c Lamason b Newman 57 C. C. Dacre Ibw b Freeman 42 R. G. Bush b'Freeman 4 H.P. Pearson c James b Freeman 1 A. M. «\latheson b Freeman ... 0 D. 11. Garrard c Dempster b Newman ... .. 2 G. S. Hampton not out 0 Extras 14 Total '... ... ... 3661 —Bowling Analysis.— 0. M. R. W. i

OTAGO TEAM DICKINSON REPLACES ELSIES The following team has been selected to represent Otago against Canterbury in the final Plunket Shield match, beginning on February 3:— F. T. Badcock (captain). T. Chettlebnrgh. R. W. Coupland. G. R. Dickinson. J. A. Dunning. V. G. Cavanagh. W. Hawkesworth. i). A. 11. Moloney. V. Leader. A. R. Knight. D. Smith. C. Elmes (twelfth man). The team will practice at Carisbrook on Tuesday and Thursday next.

Freeman 19 1 85 4 Newman 48 22 105 4 Blundell .. ... 31 -I 101 2 Parsloo . ... 23 4 57 — Lamason 3 2 4 —