CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14566, 31 December 1910, Page 4

CRICKET.

THE PLUNKET shield.

I THE PLAY AND PLAYISRS. j

TflS defence of tho Plunket Shield has resulted in many keen struggles, but I doubt, if a more interesting or exciting match has boon played than the recent one between Wellington and Auckland. It was rather one of interesting situations than cricket, and right up to the last half-hour's play tho result was open. Sonic contend that Wellington was unlucky not to win the shield, but. it must be remembered that the interest in the match was engendered by the failure in the first innings of Auckland s admittedly strong batting side, therefore the team needed only to display true form in the second innings to win.

■ The batting' of tin? Wellington team was not convincing in either innings. Blaekinnings in Wellington's first venture was marred by chances, while the other loading batsmen, Gihbcs and Monaglnin, wore also lucky. The former gave a very j cramped display. In the second innings Mahony played good cricket for his runs, and Gibbos stored moro freely than in the first innings. Hie key, who went for the Auckland bowling at, a critical stage, gave the liveliest batting display of the match, and in view of the circumstances his innings was of much merit. The failure of Midlane j iuid Rrice in hoth innings probably roblx'd tho public of some good sound battingThe style of tho Auckland batsmen who made (jecem tot'ils was in sharp distinction to that of the visitors, the runs Ivcing made by correct, crisp strokes, and hardly tho .seinblatico of a chance was given in either innings. Sale's baiting was a treat to watch in both innings, and ho was never ill at ease. He looked somewhat surprised when given out leg-before-wicket in the first innings; 53 and 38 are a good brace of scores in such a match. Anthony was cramped during his long innings for 31, and never displayed his Usual club freedom of scoring. Brooke-Smith, who stopped the rot in tho first innings, and was largely instrumental in winning the match in tho second, gave two very fine exhibitions with the bat. Ho scored freely all round tho wicket in both innings, and treated the bowling with the utmost confidence. Some of his hooks to log were very nicely executed. Ilis totals of 33 and 72 not out give him the high average of 105 for the match. In Auckland's second innings the failure of Anthony and Pearson mado matters look serious. The latter was extremely unlucky to be caught by the lengthy Brice, who effected a brilliant catch. The public has yet to sec Fearson bat in big cricket, but they may lie sure of a good score from him Ik l fore the season is out. A l,vitsman who can score a century and over 1000 runs in a season in County cricket is quite equal (<> Now Zealand interprovincial representative play. Besides Brooke-Smith and Sale, tho Auckland captain (L. G. Hem us) played a good innings iu Auckland's second attempt, his total of 43 being made when runs were badly needed. Although he restrained himself in this effort, he made some fine scoring strokes, his stylish batting being freely applauded. Sneddon, who made Brooke-Smith's big score possible, batted with considerable confidence on the third day, and had bad luck in losing his wicket when the score , stood at seven off tho total. Tho batting of Sale, Hem us, Haddcn, Brooke-Smith, and i Sneddon in Auckland's second innings showed what the side was capable of in the run-getting line.

Saunders, the ex-Australian representative, was tho best performer in the bowling department. He has a peculiar delivery, which at. times goes perilously near a throw. His manner of delivery is of the cross-country style. Ho approaches tho wickets in a series of kangaroo hops at an angle of 45 degrees, coming up to the stumps between the umpire and tho wickets. A left-hander bowling round the wickets, he usually bowls leg breaks, which turn back on to the off stump. It is no wonder the four batsmen who were given out. leg-before-wicket to him doubted the decision. When ho was aided on Monday by a strong cross wind, which swerved tho ball in. he was almost unplayable, and although Pearson's bowling figures were l>etter for tho first innings, Saunders's was tin; finer performance. Pearson Itowled veil against Wellington, and his average of six wickets for 54 runs was a good performance 011 a batsman's wicket. Ho has a very ca.->y delivery, and bowls a medium-paced ball, which turns a little from tho off. Kerr, over whose inclusion in tho Auckland team thero was so much controversy, gave necessary variety to the local attack, and at no time was liberty taken with him. He kept a good length, and got a, lot of work 011 the ball. Hadden came off in the second innings, his deliveries seeming to have more pace in them than those from Findlay, tho Wellington fast, bowler. Olliff and Howden also bowled well, better than their averages indicate. Gibbes was the most successful Wellington bowler next to Saunders. Hickey bowled well at one stage, and held up the batsmen, but the local batsmen seemed to like Findlay's fast deliveries, and Monaghan was also treated with disrespect. The fielding on both sides was good; in fact, the feature of the third day's play up to a certain point was the keenness and cleverness of the Wellington fieldsmen. Midlane, (Jibbes, and Brice being the most conspicuous. The Auckland field was placed better than blie Wellington men, good work being done by Sale, while .Hemus mado a brilliant catch in tho field. Schmoll, the Wellington wicketkceper, gavo tho better display behind the stumps, Hayward not being so clean in holding. The wicket, which is made of Mahurangi soil, a slate-coloured material which sets like asphalt, lasted well, and played almost as true in tho last hour as on the opening day. One serious defect in tho lay-out of tho field was carrying the boundary line over the bank under the scoring-board. This was a penalty to the players who mado strokes to this part of the ground. The play of the team certainly justified tho selectors' choice, and although many comments have been made on tho personnel of the team, one can hardly point to a failure in the local eleven. Tho batsmen, with the exception of Pearson, whoso claim for inclusion cannot be denied, mado runs m either innings, while the howlers all took wickets. The bowling department did so well that the changes were not called on. The only ixxssible alteration that might bo mado is the substitution of Robinson for Hayward. The latter, however, deserves credit for a good performance. The difference in the drawing power of closely contested cricket and football matches, was clearly evidenced last Tuesday. Several football seasons ago, when it was thought the Wellington representative Rugby football team would wrest the R-ui-furly shield from Auckland, the local Rugby Union handled an £800 gate. On Tuesday when everyone was discussing tho possibility of the Wellington cricket representatives winning the Plunket shield after an exciting finish, the gate only realised £105.

BARRING PR OFESSIONALS. [BY TELEGRAPH,PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Duxediv, Friday. At a special meeting of the Otago Cricket Association this afternoon, it was resolved that the Otago delegates to the New Zealand Association bo instructed .0 vote in favour of the motion to be bro" ;ht up in conference that the profession,.! players shall bo excluded from taking part in Plunket shield matches.

NOTES AND COMMENT'S. The Auckland Cricket Association's championship fixtures will be resumed next Saturday. Eden District Cricket Club will pay a visit to Howick 011 Tuesday next, leaving No, 2 .Tettv- by the steamer Hi re re at 9.45 a.m. The following :.s the team:J. Alexander, M. Alexander. L. C. Bennett. A. Brown, A. E. Clark, W. Francis. A. .Tonkin, .1. B. Kyd, R. McLauchlaii. P. S. Philpott, L. Taylor, and K. Bennett. All Eden players who are in town are requested to practise at Eden Park this afternoon, in view of tho resumption of tho championship matches on Saturday next. The Wellington Cricket Association's representative teams will arrive at Auckland by to-morrow morning's Main Trunk oxpress. They will commence their matches against the Auckland Wednesday Association's teams on Monday morning, at eleven o'clock, at Eden J'ark.

A match between Ponsonby and Nomads will be played at the Domain 011 Tuesday, starting at. 10 o'clock. Ponsbhby will be represented by the following:—F. A. Pearson, E V. Sale. 11. Gordon, W. Robinson, K. McCoy, P. C. White, R. Y. Collins, C. Edmund, (J. H. Plummor, C. A. Sneddon, W. McMath; emergency, S. White. A matfli will be commcweil at the Domain to-day, at. two o'clock, between a Wnikato eleven and a team of Auckland "colts,' assist by the English professionals, Ward and Shaddock. The Waikato cloven inuludcs Dr. Howden, of Cambridge, and other leading Waikato players, and some good cricket is sure to be witnessed. The match will bo continued on Monday. M. A. Noble is leading in the Sydney grade batting averages to date with 103.66 for five innings, twicc not out. Iyemnus, of Balmaiti, is running second with 83.50, Buckle (Clebe) third with 80.50, Folkard (li.'.lniain) next with 77.26, and Wation (lilebo) fifth with 74.66. The four leading bowlers arc Macartney (Gordon), 10.86 for 36 wickets; .1. Smith (liurwood), 11.06 for 16 wickets; Scot (Peiersham), 11.20 for 20 wickets; and U. B. Minnett, (University), 11.80, also for 20 wickets. The Marylebone C.C. team for the West Indies will leave England the first week in January, ;uul will lie away alxjut throe months. A. F. Somerset (Sussex), who will lx* accompanied by his son—a young player of promise—will act -.is captain, and among (hone who have arranged to join the combination arc A. C. Johnston (Hampshire), S. (!. Smith (Noriliampi,ons!iire)--who is an ex-West Indian—and L. 11. W. Troughton (Kent), whilst the three professionals will be J. W. Hear lie (Middlesex). G. J. Thompson (XoitlKimptonsliire), and G. Brown (Hampshire). A popular and substantial figure in Major Ben. .J. Wardill is going out of active work in Australian cricket, alter 31 years as secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club. It i'iipears that, a couplo of years ago he was in a tramway accident, and never compls lely recovered therefrom. He is 68 years of age. His well-rounded figure and happy face will bo mis-ed by members of ho Melbourne Club Ground. Ho has a loveablo disposition. Australian teams in England and English elevens in Australia liavo been from time to tint" managed by him. Git .Monday a team from Auckland tried conclusions with a Ruakaka cricket eleven drav. ,1 from that district and Orierahi. The country eleven won on the first innings, it being a one-day's match. A dance in the evening followed. The Auckland Grammar School boys are to be heartily congratulated (sa.ys "Scoring 80-trd" in the Canterbury Times) 011 their meritorious win over the Christchruch Boys High School for the Heathcoto Williams shield. It will he remembered that last year the Boys' High School made a great uphill fight and pulled the match out, of the fire, winning by five wickets. This year tho Auckland lx>ys reversed tho order of things. The game was full of changes. Despite an excellent start, for the first wicket Auckland did not get going till several wickets were down, when they pulled themselves together, and finally reached 213. The batting throughout, was stylish, and several of the batsmen showed scoring strokes all round the wicket, giving evidence of careful coaching. The High- School made a bad start, losing five wickets for 63. Th 1 local boys batting was cramped as compared with their opponents, especially at the beginning.