THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 12

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

AUCKLAND VERSUS OTAGO. VISITORS AT WICKETS. DAY OF SLOW SCORING. HOME TEAM'S STRONG LEAD. The Plunket Shield match between Ota go and Auckland was commenced at Eden Park yesterday in showery weather. The wicket had been covered overnight nnd so was little affected by the rain. The attendance was small in the morning, but increased during the afternoon, when about 1500 spectators were present.. Throughout the day slow scoring was the rule. The wicket did not assist tho howlers much, but. they made good use nf a fairly strong wind blowing diagonally across the pitch. The bawling of both sides was very sound and did not iis a rule permit ot any liberties being taken. The outfield was slow and very dead and this was a large factor in the •X slow rate of scoring. Otago batted first, but could not make liny effective stand against the Auckland bowling, which was handled very well by S. G. Smith. After a bad opening Galland and Conradi became associated in a good partnership for the seventh wicket, and by sound batting put on 69 runs before a separation was • effected. Galland gave the best display of the innings, attacking the bowling strongly to score 44. He was the. only one to appear at all confident to Player. Conradi's innings was not as free as his partner's and he was frequently at a loss to play both Player and Smith. Howover, his scoro of 33 was a good effort made a time when runs were most needed. Tho Auckland bowling was good throughout, although Smith sent down a pood few loose deliveries, which the batsmen seemed afraid to hit. However, these formed only a small percentage and he showed that he has not lost control of Iris deceptive flight, and break. Player was easily the best of the local bowlers and ho finished with the fine tally of five wickets for 60 runs. Ho made good use of tho wind and varied his deliveries well. The Auckland fielding was good, but Horspool was the only one brilliant in this department. Horspool and Mills gave Auckland a good start, the score being 112 before the former lost his wicket. His scoro of 64 was characterised by his usual dashing leg shots. Otago's total was passed before Mills was dismissed for 59. Ho showed a polished style and made runs h.ll round the, wicket. Sneddcn and Smith carried on well, although tho forI mer was dismissed before tho close of play. Auckland scored 208 for tho loss vi three wickets. Visitors Open Badly. Blarnires won tho toss and sent Cherry and McMullan in to bat, tho former taking ilrst slirike to Simpson, who bowled from the Kingsland end. Player bowled at the other end. The first wicket fell before double figures were reached. In Simpson's aecond over McMullan hooked a ball into Smith's hands. He had scored six out of •a total of seven. Alloo opened crisply tdthough he cut Simpson jusfc over the slips' iheads. Neither batsmen would take chances, and Smith relieved Simpson with the score at 26.

The change proved successful, Alloo hitting out in Smithes second ovor and being caught by Horspool at deep extra cover. Horspool then came into "silly" mid-off, and caught Cherry brilliantly off the next ball.

Gidlancl, the next man, hit Smith for the first four of the match, but Knight ■was bowled off his pads by the first ball of Player's next over. Blamires played the next two from Player carefully, but the fourth ball swerved from tho off and bowled him. Five wickets were down for 43. Thi procession continued, for in Player's naxt over Rountruo neatly caught fi. Duncan behind the wicket. With tho association of Galland and Conradi play brightened. Both men displayed a greater degree of confidence than the others had done, the former scoring with attractive isho.ts, chiefly off Player. However, Conradi was frequently puzzled by Smith, •who was getting a lot of turn on the-ball. A doubol change was tried just before lunch, but was not successful, and the adjournment was taken with six wickets down for 95 runs. After lunch the pair continued to score freely until Conradi was bowled by Player for 33. The partnership had added 69 runs. After another run had been scored Galland put one from Player into the hands of Sneddon in the slip!), and whs out with a forceful 44 to his credit. Torrance and Douglas wero dismissed cheaply, and the innings closed for 131. Auckland's Opening Pair. Horspool and Mills opened Auckland's first innings, two fast-medium bowlers, Torranco and Galland, taking charge of tho Otago attack. Tho batsmen did not take any undue risks, but the score mounted steadily. Blamires relieved Galland and Mills swung him to leg for a perfectly-timed six. Torrance kept sending down a good length ball with which no liberties could be taken, but with the score just short of 50, Douglas replaced him. Horspool welcomed the new bowler with a characteristic six to leg. The batting brightened somewhat, chiefly at tho expense of Douglas, and both batsmen passed the thiry mark. Smart ground-fielding saved many runs. Horspooi reached his half-century with two good fours off Douglas, and ahortly afterwards Mills raised the first century by swinging the alow bowler to tho pavilion fence. Torrance changed ends after the tea adjournment 'atul in his first over, Horspool tipped a hall into the slips where Blamires took a tine catch. He had scored 64 with good shots all round the wicket. Snedden joined Mills, who continued to ,bat attractively and reached 50 with two boundary shots past fine leg. Another leg shot for a single saw Auckland draw level with Otago and then Sneddeu scored another off the next ball Conradi relieved AUoo, but Torranc? continued at the other end. At, this stage lie had sent down 16 overs at a cost of 25 runs. Shortly after he had Mills caught out behind the wicket for 59. Mills had batted splendidly and had hit eight fours and one six Smith joined Snedden and runs continued to come at a steady pace, there being nothing in tho way of sensational scoring. When Sneddon became more confident the scoring brightened a little. At 36 he gave a difficult chance to Alloo and when ho gave another chance off the next ball tho fieldsman made no mistake. Torrance had then sent down 22 overs of which five were maidens and had captured the three wickets at a cost of 46 riihs. Anthony joined Smith and in spite >of a couple of bowling changes, the pair

were still batting when stumps were drawn with the score at 208 for three wickets. Their respective totals were 29 and eight. The game will he continued to-day, play starting at 11 a.m. Following are tlio scores:—• OTAGO.—First Innings. McMullan, c Smith, b Simpson 6 Cherry, c Horspool, b Smith i.„ 7 Alloo, c Horspool, b Smith . 18 Knight, b Player .. .« i.. 4' Galland, c Snedden, b Player (.. 44 Blamirea, b Player .. . • ». 9 S. Duncan, c Rountree, b Player .. 5 Conradi, b Player .. .. .. 33 Torrance, c Smith, b Sneddon «. 1 Zimmerman, not out . ; i. • 9 Douglas, st Rountree, b Snedden .. 0 Extras i... i... i.. 3 Total •• 131 Bowling Analysis.—Player took five wickets for 60 runs; Snedden, two for nine; Smith, two for 29; Simpson, one for 30. AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Horspool, c Blamires, b Torrance ... 64 Mills, c Galland, b Torrance .. 59 Sneddon, c Alloo, b Torrance i.. 36 Smith, not out ; .j k i.. 29 Anthony, not out .. ... i.. 8 Extras r..t e • ..12 Total fcr three wickets .. : i.. 208 WELLINGTON DOING WELL. HIDDLESTON COMPILES 212. McCIRR A FORCEFUL CENTURY. [by tfxegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The Plunlcet Shield match, Wellington v. Canterbury, commenced to-day on the Basin Reserve before a fair attendance. Wellington wort the toss and batted first on a good wicket. Tattersall and Hiddleston opened the innings, but the former went easily and Kortlang filled the gap. The new pair batted slowly, but played solid cricket against accurate bowling and keen fielding. Kortlang, who was much quieter than usual, made 30 before sending one into Talboi's hands. Dempster joined Hiddleston, but was never comfortable, and after making 29 was bowled by Talbot. McGirr came in and play livened up. Hiddleston reached his second century without giving a chance. His total of 212 is his highest score in shield cricket to date. He was caught behind the wickets by Brunton after batting for over four hours. McGirr got a forceful century. When stumps were drawn Wellington had nine wickets down for 494. Details:— WELLINGTON.—First Innings. Tattersall, run out 4 Hiddleston c Brunton, b Sandman .. 212 Kortlang, c Talbot, b Findlay . ~.30 Dempster, b Talbot .. .. t .. 29 McGirr, c McEwin, b Talbot .. . 106 Badcock, b Talbot .. .. <>. 8 Lambert, c Talbot, b Sandman ~. 25 Hendeison, Ibw, b Talbot .. . 14 Barclay, b Talbot .. 2 Banks, not out .» ~. . 30 Brice, not out .. . ~. 17 Extras ~.. ... 17 Total for nine wickets .» .. 494 Bowling Analysis.—Read took no wickets for 128, Findlay one for 91, McEwin none for 74, Sandman two for 76, Talbot five for 105.