CANTERBURY-AUCKLAND GAME

Evening Star, Issue 25676, 27 December 1945, Page 3

CANTERBURY-AUCKLAND GAME

THE ISSUE OPEN SOUTHERNERS REQUIRE 205 (8.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 2G. After three days’ plav in the Plunket Shield matcrP against Auckland, Canterbury still requires 205 runs to win, with nine wickets in hand. The play to-day was particularly interesting, and the outcome of the match is very much an open issue. Yesterday Canterbury had scored 208 for five wickets in reply to the Auckland score of 269, but to-day another collapse occurred, and both Butterfield and Sliand, who had given Canterbury i great chance by a fighting partnership of 160, were dismissed without adding many runs to the score. When the last batsmen were at the wickets 37 runs were required to reach the Auckland total.. Britton and Mcßae in a fine partnership, hit off the funs.in quick time. Tt was a fine finish to an innings full of sensations. The wicket, in spite of overnight rain, played quite easily, but a high south-west wind gave many of the batsmen trouble. When Auckland, 12 runs behind, batted again, the wickets ,r ain fell quickly at the start, and the side was all but for 223. Canterbury began the second innings badly, losing its captain, Cromb, for a “duck,” and at stumps had made eight for one wicket. Cleverly was the most successful bowler this morning. He took three wickets, and bowling into a strong wind varied his pace well. Cowie was again dangerous, but his only wicket to-day was obtained when Kent ran up from his position 15 yards behind the batsman to take the ball and stump Buctt The batsman had been taking .crike two feet outside the crease to the ast bowler. Wallace did not bat quite so soundly is in the first innings, but played some lively shots and hit Mcßae for a magnificient 6. Scott was again soundness itself and finished with 45 not out. Cowie took 23 off two overs from T. nirtt and made his 24 in 15 minutes, and later Burke helped Scott to add 54 for the ninth wicket in even time, but the innings closed for 223. Mcßae and Burtt obtained most of the wickets, but the batsmen all looked like getting runs and the score was a disappointingly small one. Canterbury was set 213 to win, and in making eight before stumps lost Cromb, who. was caught off Cowie for a “ duck,” Towards the end of the day the wicket was showing signs of wear and to-morrow a very close and interesting finish should take place. Scores:— AUCKLAND.

First innings 269 Second innings. E. Meuli c Burgess b Scott 8 H. T. Pearsoji c Cromb b Burtt ... 31 F. E. Hemmingson b Butterfield ... 11 W. M. Wallace c Uttlev b Scott ... 32 C. Kerr c Scott b McRae 11 0. C. Cleal c Cromb b Burtt 0 J. Cowie c Burtt b McRae 24 V. J. Scott, not out ... 45 L. Kent b Burtt 16 C. Burke b McRae 23 .1) 0. Cleverly c Britton b McRae 0 Extras 22 Total 223 — Bowling Analysis.— 0. M. R. W. D. A. McRae 26.2 11 50 4 R. H. Scott 21 4 56 2 L. A. Butterfield 13 7 13 1 T. Burtt .22 4 82 3 CANTERBURY. First Innings. T. B. Cromb c Scott b Burke ... 20 K. F. M. Uttley c Hemmingson b Cowie ... : 6 C. V. Walter b Cowie 8 W. McD. Anderson, std Kent b Burke 8 A. Burgess b Cowie 3 L. A. Butterfield c Cowie b Cleverjgy ... 76 It. C. Sliand run out 77 R. H. Scott b Cleverly 1 T. Burtt std Kent b Cowie 6 A. E. L. Britton b Cleverly 18 D, A. McRae not out 27 Extras 35 Total 281 —Bowling Analysis.— , O. M. R. W. . J. Cowie ... 43 16 77 4 C. Burke ... 36 12 68 2 C. Kerr 12 1 27 F. E. Hemmingson 5 2 8 D. C. Cleverly 26.1 9 66 3 Second Innings. Cromb c Cleverly b Cowie ... ... 0 Uttlev not out ... 4 Extras 4 Total (for one wicket) ... 8 —Bowling Analysis.— 0. M. R. W. ,1. Cowie ... 1 1 — 1« D. C. Cleverley 1 — 4 (Continued on page 6.)