Plunket Shield Cricket

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 42, 19 February 1938, Page 7

Plunket Shield Cricket

Final Match of the Season AUCKLAND TV9Q FOB 70 Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The first day’s play in the final Plunket Shield cricket match of tne season between Auckland and Wellington, which commenced at the Basin Reserve to-day, was confined to two hours. Following several days* steady rain, the wicket was in a sodden state when inspected by the captains in the morning, which was dull and overcast, with a slight drizxle. The weather inter cleared, and after three inspections it was decided to commence at 4 o'clock. Lamason won the toss and put Auckland in to bat. At stumps the northerners had lost two wickets for 7d runs.

A good crowd was present, indicating the widespread interest iu the match. It is generally recognised that nothing short of a miracle can deprive Auckland oi the shield, but the first appear-

ance in Wellington this season of several of the outstanding performers with the New Zealand team on its tour of England, such as Cowie and Wallace (Auckland) and Moloney (Wellington) had been eagerly awaited by local cricketing enthusiasts. There was little of note in to-day’s cricket. When Whitelaw and Postlcs settled down to slow, but steady, scoring, it appeared as if Lamason had misjudged the condition of the wicket. An odd ball ‘‘got up,” but otherwise the pitch appeared easy. Astute changes in the bowling, however, brought successes, Whitelaw and Mills being dismissed. The former was shaping with the greatest confidence when he mistimed a hook shot, his first faulty stroke, and an appeal for leg before wicket was sustained. He batted 79 minutes for 32, which included four fours and two threes.

The dismissal of Mills was a surprise. He made no attempt to play the first ball Pritchard sent down, moving across the wicket to cover up, but was clean bowled. The only bowling he faced prior to this was that of Lamason, off whom he collected three gift fours. The change from medium to fast bowling when Pritchard came on, was the apparent cause of the mistake.

Matheson and Postles played out time. The latter was once or twice uncomfortable to “yorkers” from Parsloe and Pritchard, but otherwise was untroubled, scoring in his customary slow but sure manner. The Wellington attack was well handled. Blundell was a model of consistency and accuracy, sending dowu seven maidens in II overs for 11 runs, of which eight came from successive boundaries in tfie Parsloe found the approach, to Ik© wicket troublesome and bowled several no balls, off some of which the batsmen scored. He was not only straight up and down, but swung down some “yorkers, ’* which nearly skittled Postles. Donnelly showed the benefit of his English Experience - , spinning the ball away from the batsmen and varying his flight and pace like an old hand. He sent down nine overs for 11 runs and took one wicket. Coming on late, Pritchard proved one of the most hostile of the Wellington bowlers, mustering plenty of pace nn<? maintaining a good length. Scores:— AUCKLAND. First Innings. Whitelaw, lbw, b Donnelly 32 Postles, not out 21 Mills, b Pritchard 12 Matheson, not out 2 Extras 3 Total for two wickets •• •• 7C