PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 21319, 25 January 1933, Page 4

PLUNKET SHIELD

STRAIGHT-CUT WIN FOR AUCKLAND WELLINGTON BEATEN BY 43 RUNS [Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 21. The Plunket Shield cricket match between Auckland and Wellington ended in a somewhat lucky victory for. the home side by 13 runs. Heavy showers fell during Monday night, and the sun came out Into this morning, with the result that, although the' weather was fine, the game was continued on a wet wicket.

Auckland carried its second inning’s total to 306, but on a wicket which gave the spin bowlers every assistance Wellington lost five of its best wickets for 89. The later batsmen made a gallant recovery, O’Brien and Lamason batting particularly well, but the last wicket fell shortly after 5 o’clock.

Pearson batted brightly this morning, adding 17 out of 20 in 15 minutes before ho was smartly stumped. The wicket showed early signs of roturning life in Wellington’s second innings, out Dempster started in his best form, punishing several short balls from Matheson. Weir soon brought on Vivian and Garrard, who, with the ball spinning quickly off the wicket, immediately gained the nniper hand. Cameron was uncomfortable and returned a catch to Vivian. Dempster was dismissed in the same manner shortly afterwai'ds, having plas r ed an exceptionally fine -innings under difficult conditions. Tindill was dismissed off a half-hearted shot to clasp mid-off. G’Brien and James made a valiant effort to hold the bowjing at bay until lunch, as sun and wind were drying the wicket fairly quickly. James, covering up to nearly every ball, went Ibw to Gax-rard. who also bowled Blandford first ball. After lunch the wicket was much easier, and O'Brien and Lamason were seen in a brilliant partnership which added 77 runs for the sixth wicket. They played all the bowling confidently and well. O’Brien was particularly impressive before lunch when he used his long reach effectively to smother the spin of the slow bowlers. He was clean bowled by a good ball from Matheson. Parsloe went Ibw in the next over. Newman then settled down to assist Lamason, but the tea interval dashed Lamason’s hopes. On resuming Matheson howled witlv the new ball, and immediately beat Lamason with a late in-swinger of perfect length. Frceihan and Newman put up a dour struggle for a while, but the former swung wildly at an over-pitched ball from Matheson. Blundell later snicked Garrard into the slips. The Auckland bowling was difficult only during the period before lunch when Vivian was bowling well enough to trouble any batsman. Ho deserved more success as he beat , the batsmen on countless occasions, although O’Brien played him well. Garrard was not quite as steady as in the first innings, but be flighted and spun the ball admirably. The fielding was generally sound and Hampton showed improved form behind the stumps. Details:— AUCKLAND. First innings ... ... 366 Second innings ... 306 WELLINGTON. First innings ... ..... 397 —Second Innings.— C. S. Dempster c and b Vivian ... 40 1). Cameron c and b Vivian 9 E.‘ TV. Tindill c Weir b Garrard ... 0 M. A. O’Brien b Matheson ... ... 61 K. C. aJmes Ibw b Garrard 15 J. A. R. Blandford b Garrard ... 0 J. R. Lamason b Matheson 53 C. Parsloe Ibw b Garrard ... ... 1 J. Newman not out ... ... 22 I). L. Freeman b Matheson ... 7 E. 1). Blundell c Matheson h Garrard 9 Extras 15

Total 232 —Bowling Analysis — (). M. R. W. Matheson 19 5 43 3 Weir io ;) 24 0 Vivian 33 15 53 2 Garrard 39 10 83 5 Bush ... ... 10 4 14 0