CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22228, 4 January 1936, Page 8

CRICKET

PLUNKET SHIELD AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY HOME TEAM IN GOOD POSITION [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 3. In spite of the fact that it scored £74 for five wickets and appeared likely to compile a large first innings total, Canterbury collapsed when play was resumed to-day in the Plunket Shield match against Auckland at Eden Park. The Auckland bowlers were dominant from the start, and Canterbury’s innings realised only 322 runs. Auckland did not appear to have been set a particularly hard task when it commenced its first innings on a perfect wicket, but the loss of two valuable wickets for_ 17 runs placed the side in a bad position. A brilliant display, however, by Wallace, the Auckland colt, retrieved the situation. In company with Hook, who also gave a very solid display for 45 not out, Wallace provided a splendid exhibition of allround batting in scoring 85, and at the drawing of stumps Auckland was in a strong position, _ having _ scored 248 for five wickets, with Vivian, Townsend, Cowie, and Hayward to follow. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, was an interested spectator during the afternoon. At the afternoon tea adjournment he was introduced to the members of both teams on the field, and shook hands with the players. That the Canterbury team has a batting tail was shown when the remaining five added only 48 runs. A free display was given by Cobden, who used his feet and drove with advantage. Vivian, the Auckland captain, bowled nine more overs for 23 runs. Townsend took three wickets in 3.3 overs at a cost of only 3 runs, and he had the batsmen troubled. Cowie, whom none of the batsmen played with confidence, again bowled without luck. Mills and Postles opened for Auckland, and the former started confidently, but was fortunate to be dropped in the slips by Bellamy off Roberts with his score at 6. After this let-off Roberts endeavoured to trap Mills again, but the batsman was on his guard. Mills, however, was kept subdued for practically the remainder of his innings until Merritt bowled him with a “wrong ’un ” just after the tea adjournment. Mills was in for 171 minutes and hit two 4’s. Postles, after sending a full toss from Cromb to the boundary, fell next ball to a shorter and faster delivery, spooning a catch to short square leg. Weir never appeared too comfortable facing Roberts, the bowler beating him all the way before he had scored. With Mills and Whitelaw associated, Auckland was in a bad position, and the batsmen took no risks. Consequently the scoring rate was just as slow as that of Canterbury on the previous day! Whitelaw, although appearing. troubled by Merritt early in his innings, settled down confidently and was batting well when he.fell to a nice catch from a full toss from Cromb. His 35 occupied 93 minutes. He hit two 4’s and the only 6 of the match off a no-ball from Merritt. The partnership yielded a very valuable 64 runs. With the advent of the colt Wallace, the batting was brightened and the scoring rate quickened again. Starting with the greatest confidence, Wallace gave a splendid all-round exhibition, timing and placing his shots beautifully. He was unlucky to be run out from a brilliant piece of fielding by Cobden off a hard scoring shot. Wallace has further justified his inclusion in a New Zealand team. The most pleasing feature was the stand made by the two colts, Wallace and Hook. Although the latter, lacked the scoring strokes of his partner, he, nevertheless, played a very solid innings, and later 011 took full toll of the tired attack. Hook was unbeaten with 45, and the partnership added 85 runs, Wallace being responsible for most of them.

Roberts was easily the most impressive of the Canterbury bowlers, especially early in the day, when he made the ball move late in a disconcerting manner to the batsmen. His first 15 overs cost only 13 runs. In all he bowled 29 overs (15 maidens) for 32 runs and one wicket. Cromb mixed his deliveries well, but with the exception of his faster ball failed to make pace off the wicket. He also bowled 29 overs (nine maidens) for 67 runs and two wickets. Graham was very consistent, but at no stage appeared dangerous. In 22 overs (three maidens) he failed to take a wicket at a cost of 27 runs. Except on a few occasions Merritt, the slow spin bowler, failed to trouble the batsmen. After maintaining a better length than usual towards the end of the day he became erratic, and the batsmen were enabled to score freely off him. He bowled 29 overs (five maidens) for 87 runs and one wicket. One of (he finest displays of ground fielding seen_ at Eden Park for many years was given by the Canterbury team-. The spectators showed full appreciation of the clean handling and accurate returning to the wickets. Many scoring shots were nullified by keen anticipation. Cromb handled his attack and placed his field to great advantage. It was a wise move on his part not to use a new ball nearing the close of the day’s play. Details;— CANTERBURY.

AUCKLAND. —First Innings.— J. E. Mills b Merritt ... 42 A. J. Postles c, Cobden b Cromb ... 8 G. L. Weir b Roberts 0 P. E. Whitelaw c O’Brien b Cromb 35 W. M. Wallace run but 85 G. Hook not out ... 45 A. M. Matheson not out 19 Extras 14 Total for five wickets ... 248

First Innings, J. L. Kerr b Vivian 62 F. W. Bellamy c and b Vivian ... 31 W. A. Hadlee c Vivian b Townsend 19 I. B. Cromb c Hayward b Cowie ... 70 A. W. Roberts Ibw b Vivian ... 50 F. P. O’Brien st Hayward b Vivian 31 A. P. Cobden c W bit el aw b Vivian 38 L. A. Butterfield not out 8 W. E. Merritt c Wbitelaw b Townsend 0 C. K, Jackman c Vivian b Townsend 0 M. Graham b Townsend 2 Extras 11 Total 322 —Bowling Analysis.— 0. M. R. W, Cowie 32 7 65 1 Matlicson 29 11 41 0 Townsend 42.3 10 80 4, Postles 4 (J 6 0 Vivian 56 13 98 5 [Weir 6 1 21 0