PLUNKET SHIELD

Northern Advocate, 28 December 1934, Page 2

PLUNKET SHIELD

POSITION REVERSED AUCKLAND’S COLLAPSE. CANTERBURY WELL PLACED. [Per Press Association.—Copyright:] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The complexion of the Plunkct Shield cricket match between Canterbury and Auckland was completely changed yesterday. Last evening Canterbury finished an inglorious innings for 230, leaving a deficit of 40 on the first innings. Auckland today were all out for the low score of 187 and Canterbury scored 91 runs for 0 wickets. With a whole day of play, and all wickets in hand, the score of 146 required for an outright win should be an easy task for a strong batting side. The weather was again fine for the game and the wicket, which always gave the appearance of being fiery, was no worse than on the previous day. In fact, the latter part of today’s play suggested that it was better. Auckland’s innings was defensive rathex than spectacular, and to those who like to see fast scoring, the play was dull. The position justified the Northerners in not taking risks if they could get an 8 point win. They still had the first innings lead in hand, but thoroughly good bowling by Canterbury’s apparently weak bowlers wore down even the defensive tactics. Weir Confident.

Weir’s innings was a model of correct and confident defence. He perhaps erred on the side of caution, but this was excusable under the | conditions. The bowling was never j loose during his stay at the wickets, I but he played it with the utmost ease, and never looked like getting out. His scoring strokes, although they did not come very frequently, were all made in masterly style and his batting was a model that young players might well copy. Bush’s innings was not nearly so sound as that of Weir, but it was much more enterprising. His early batting did not look promising for -x score, but his defence, although not stylish, was sound, and as he gained confidence he opened out with some enterprising and powerful scoring shots. His 55 was a welcome addition, when things were not too proming for his side. Whitelaw proved himself the same sound and stylish batsman that his first innings had shown him to be, and Canterbury looked to be decidedly lucky in getting him run out. It was fine work by Cromb that sent him back. Wallace played attractive cricket for his 27, sound defence being judiciously mixed with stylish scoring strokes all round the wicket. Canterbury’s bowling somewhat belied the general impression that it was weak this season. If it did not, they- Auckland batting was pool'. At no stage was the bowling collared and the Northerners played it as though it was first class. Certainly Roberts, and to a lesser degree, Graham and Andrews kept an end going in good style. Roberts’ steadiness is shown by his 28 overs for only 39 x'uns, and there was not a loose period while he had charge. Steady Bowling. Gi'aham was also fairly accurate, but, although he got the bettor figures, he did not bowl so well as Roberts. Andrews was another who sent down a good proportion of different balls, but his length was at times 'erratic. Lester bowled well in the early stages without getting a wicket. His later efforts were not so good. Little fault could be found with Canterbury’s fielding. Oliver, on the boundary, cut off many a four that a less speedy man would have let go to the fence. Allen made a much better showing with the gloves than he had done on the first day.

The most pleasing feature of the day’s play from a Canterbury point of view was the fine stand made, by Bellamy and Kerr in their opening partnership. Realising that there was plenty of time in which to make the required number of runs, they played most patient and careful cricket, Kerr was patchy for a start, but after playing himself in, showed considerable improvement and he made a few scoring strokes that were reminiscent of his old form in past years. Bellamy, on the other hand, was very steady from start to finish. His defence was irreproachable and this was punctuated by some of the finest cover drives that one would wish to see. His fine stand with Kerr, in which they put on 91 in a little more than an hour and a half, turned a fairly even game in a position decidedly in favour of Canterbury. Following are the scores.— AUCKLAND. First Innings 279 Second Innings. Edmonds, b Roberts 2 Whitelaw, run out ' 27 Weir, Ibw., b Roberts 42 Townsend, b Andrews 2 Vivian, c Roberts, b Graham .. 7 Bush, b Roberts 55 Wallace, c Andi'ews, b Graham . 27 Matheson. not out 11 Sale, c Allen, b Andrews 0 Garrard, b Graham 0 Cowie, run out 2 Extras 12 Total 187 Bowling:—Roberts took 3 wickets for 39. Andrews 2 for 43. Lester 0 for 40, Page 0 for 21. Graham 3 for 27. Oliver 0 for 5. CANTERBURY. First Innings 230 Second Innings. Bellamy, not out 37 Kerr, not out 40 Extras 14 Total tor 0 wickets 91 At the luncheon adjournment today Cantei’bury had lost 4 wickets for 199 and only required 38 runs to win.