PLUNKET SHIELD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 4

PLUNKET SHIELD

AWARDED TO AUCKLAND. “INJUSTICE TO WELLINGTON/’ Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 28. The New Zealand Cricket Council to-night decided to award >the Plunket Shield to Auckland. Auckland and Wellington each had one win, but Auckland’s nest average was plus 14,9 while that of Wellington was plus 3.07. On the other hand, it was pointed out Wellington suffered an injustice by the average system, having had one win and two draws, while Aucklnnd had one win, one draw and one loss. The council decided to consult the major association asking for any suggestions for alterations of the present system of awarding the shield. . AN ANOMALOUS POSITION. IF AUCKLAND GETS SHIELD. Under the above captions the Auckland Ctar stated on Thursday prior to the New Zealand Cricket Council’s decision regarding the shield: — Of the six matches played for the Plunket Shield this season, four were drawn, this being due to the fact that the rules were amended to provide for a four-day limit to matches- The record of the teams is as follows:

The system which appliesxto the Sheffield Shield competition in Australia provides for the following points being awarded :Win, five points; won on first innings, three points; loss on first innings, one point. If this applied to the Plunket Shield competition in New Zealand, the points this, season would be:—Wellington 9, Auckland 8, Otago 5 and Canterbury 4. In the event of teams being equal in Australia the average system is then applied, and it is this section of the Sheffield Shield rules which is included in the 1 lunket Shield rules. . , The rules of the Plunket Shield provide only for the decision being arrived at on the number of wins by the competing province, and, in the event of two or more provinces having an equal number of wins, that haying the best net average gets the shield. Thus the shield may come .to Auckland but the anomaly would arise that Auckland would be placed above two undefeated sides, despite the fact that one of those sides, Wellington, defeated Auckland.

Wellington ... Won. Lest. 1 0 0 0 Dm. 2 3 1 1 1 Canterbury The averages Auckland ■Wellington 0 1 o for and against are: — For. Agst. 40.05 35.08 38.20 35.08 37.37 41.18 23.34 46.94 The net average are ulus 14.90 plus inus 3.12 3.81 Canterbury 18.60