CRICKET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 30, 22 January 1929, Page 5

CRICKET

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON. NORTHERNERS REQUIRE 260 TO WIN. [Per Press Association.! Auckland, Jan. 22. The last stage of the Plunket Shield match, Auckland v. Wellington, commenced at Eden Park thia morning, Auckland requiring 260 runs to win. The hard wicket, although fast was crumbling and a vagrant cross wind was right into the hands of the seam specialists. Milla and Postles, the not-out men, opens ed confidently to the bowling of MeGirr and Henderson, Milla placing the former prettily through the covers for three while Postle’s back cut-one for two. Henderson began to rock them in at top speed from the terrace end. There was a united appeal from the field when Postles touched one with the edge of his bat to send it into the safe hands of Jamea at short stop. Postles was in possession 42 minutes for his contribution—B6 —2—9. Weir was next. Mills reached 50 with a ball deflected to fine leg, the result of 85 minutes’ batting. Placing beautifully Mills turned Henderson into the gap for two, following it with a single. On the leg side. Mills was getting most of the bowling and the crowd enthused when he swept McGirr to the fence. Weir survived an l.b.w. appeal before he got going opening with a push for a single, the century came up in 100 minutes. Rotherham came oh at the top end to be nicely singled by Mills. The Englishman disclosed a fair turn of speed, and Weir could not connect with the rest of the over. The first ball of Henderson’s next over kept low add flashed into Milla ’a off stump. The left-hander had been in 1 hour 50 minutes. He had played with that skill and grace which caused the English critics to liken him to Palariet.—, 109—3—65. GILLESPIE’S STAY IS SHORT. Gillespie came but, to the dismay of the crowd, poked one into McGirr’a hands at silly cover without scoring. The game had now definitely swung in Wellington’s favour. Allcott came next. Weir survived an appeal for l.b.w. from the fieldsmen. It was slow batting; even Allcott was playing with ultra care, giving the full face of the bat to everything. Lambert came on at the terrace end and tossed up slow ones with unmistakable spin. Allcott hooked one neatly to the fence. With a deejiset field Lambert was tossing up some very tempting stuff. Weir reached double figures with a nice off shot for two. , SCORING PAINFULLY SLOW Facing Rotherham Allcott had an escape. He edged one fast and low into the slips, where Foley failed to grasp it. Scoring was painfully slow. Lowry replaced Rotherham and nearly got Weir’s scalp, James diving in the wrong direction. One hundred and forty was scored in 160 minutes. Henderson now bowled at the terrace end and got an l.b.w. appeal against Allcott. Henderson was whipping in so sharply from the pitch that the batsmen found it difficult to time him. Weir reached twenty in Ihr. 35mins. The best feature of the game was the ground fielding. Worker, on the off, picking up brilliantly and returning accurately. Allcott brought 160 up with a single. The pair had put on 50 in 90 minutes’ play by solid batting. Lambert replaced Lowry and Allcott turned his third ball neatly for two. At lunch the score was 165 for four wickets. Details:—

WELLINGTON. First Innings / ~.. 403 Second Innings .. 241 AUCKLAND. First Innings w.. 311 Second Innings. Bowley, b McGirr 28 Mills, b Henderson 65 Postles. c James, b Henderson 9 Gillespie, c McGirr, b Henderson 0 Weir, not out 25 Allcott. not out 3° Extras 3 Total for 4 wickets 165