THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19216, 4 January 1926, Page 10

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

AUCKLAND ALL OUT FOR 333. BETTER SHOWING BY OTAGO. THREE WICKETS DOWN FOR 209. PLAY RESUMES THIS MORNING. Play in the Phinkct Shield match between Auckland and Otago was continued on Saturday morning in fine weather and on an easy wicket. The wind had changed a littlo and did not give the same assistance to the bowlers as on the previous day. There was a moderate attendance. Scoring throughout tho day was slow, particularly in the morning, when it took Auckland two hours to make 81 runs. Toward the end of the day Zimmerman and Blamires were responsible for the brightest batting performance, but even then their play could not be ( called enterprising. Auckland took their over-night score to 333. Smith carried on to 63. He batted vei'y patiently, and although he gave a couple of chances, his .nnings was very sound. Cooper batted well for 26 not out. The feature of the innings was the fine bowling cf Torrance, who sent down 42 overs, of which 11 were maidens, and, took seven wickets for 90 runs. He maintained a steady length throughout and swung tho ball dangerously at times. Otago were 202 behind when they commenced" their second innings, and they mado another bad start, McMullan being dismissed before he had scored. Cherry and Alloo, however, carried on well and improved matters considerably, and then Blamires and Zimmerman became associated in a fino fourth wicket partnership ■which was instrumental in wiping out Auckland's substantial lead. They were both not out when stumps were drawn. With three wickets down for 208, Smith and Anthony resumed Auckland's first innings to the bowling of Torrance and Blamiros. Scoring continued at the samo steady rato of the previous day. At 36 Smith gavo an easy chance to Douglas, but it was not accepted, and shortly bofore ho reached 50 ho planed another 0110 just short of tho same fieldsman. He lost Anthony soon after, Galland accepting a catch behind the wicket off Torrance. Frater joined Smith, "who reached his half-century with a smartly-run single. Thero was no change in the rate of scoring and after an hour's play onlv 37 runs had been added. Conradi then rclioved Blamires and after a while Zimmerman was given his first over in place of Torrance, who had sent down 36 overs for 72 runs. The change proved effective, although it was Conradi who secured the wicket, getting Smith leg before wicket for 63. Tho Auckland captain had made his runs by patient batting. Player was next,' and attempted short runs, Frater being well run out after seve ral narrow escapes. Neither Cooper, tho newcomer, noi: Player would take any risks, and Dougla3, tho slow bowler, camo on in place of Zimmerman. The pace brightened up a littlo for the over, and the score reached 289 when tho luncheon adjournment was taken. Tho morning's ple.y had realised only 81 runs. Innlngiv Closes for 333. Torrance took up the bowling after lunch, after having had his first real rest of tho innings. With his sixth ball he clean bowled Player. Simpson joined Cooper and opened cautiously. The third century was raised when Cooper turned a ball from Cqnradi to kg for a single. After this the' batsmen became a little more enterprising, both reaching the boundary with good off-drives. Simpson, however, became too impetuous, and going out to hit Douglas was smartly stumped by Galland Saunders reached five with a couple of crisp shots off Dougkfs, but the first ball from Torrance swerving in bowled him. Jiountreo was last man and ho scored a two and a four beforo he played Torrance on to his wicket. Tho innings closed for 333, Cooper being not out. with 26. Cherry and McMullan were again dago's- opening batsmen. Cherry scored nine in Simpson's first over, but the I seventh ball got McMullan leg before wicket beforo he had scored. Alloo was next, and' Cherry, who had opened briskly, quietened down a little. Alloo found Simpson difficult to get away, but when he had settled down he scored several on tho leg side. Changes in tho Bowling. With tho score at 37 Smith relieved Player, who bowled at tho other end. This did not bring, any result, and Cooper camo ori instead of him. Cherry and Alloo wore both batting well and earned applause by smart running between tho wicket 3. Cooper, howevur, effected a separation, Cherry being caught behind the wicket 4 for 32. No liberties could bo taken with tho two slow " bowlers, but ' Alloo and Blamires were scoring at tho rato of a run a minute. Horspool was given a try with tho ball just before tho tea adjournment, but was not successful. After tea Player camo on again and in his first over, owing to a mistake in calling, Alloo was run out. Ho had scored 33 by sound cricket. Tho running between the wickets was now faulty, and Zimmerman, tho next man, had a narrow escape from being run out. Tho score mounted steadily and a double change was tried, and Simpson coming on. The century was raised in Smith's first over and both Zimmerman and Blamires scored fairly freely off Simpson. At 117 Saunders' camo on at Smith's end, but the runs continued to come freely,. Zimmerman soon passing his captain's score. Sneaden was <ho sixth Auckland bowler to be igveii a try and his first ovor was a maiden. In Saundor's next. Zimmerman hit one hard to Eors- . pool, but tho fieldsman failed to hold , a hot catch. Blamires' Hall-century. Anthony was then broug.it on in placo of Saunders, but, tlio batsmen were not troubled by the bowling, Zimmerman scoring attractively. Blamires reached 50 with a good oft'-dfive, but several balls in Anthony's next over puzzled him. A fino shot past point by Blamires raised the second century and a single to leg by Zimmarmnn gaw Auckland's first innings' total passe<J. Zimrnormon had quietened down somewhat and when stumps wure drawn with the score at 209, ho was not. out with 75, while Blamires was 63. Following aro tho scores ; OTAGO. ' first innings .. .. .. •• 131 Second Innings. Cherry, c Rountreo b Cooper, .. .. 32 McMullan, lbw., b Simpson, .. .. 0 Ailoo, run out, .. .. .. ..33 Blamires, not out, .. .. ..63 Zimmerman, not out, .. .. ..75 Extras 6 Total Tor three wickets r .. ... 209 AUCKLAND. —First Innings. Horspool; c Blamires, b Torrance .. 64 Mills, c Galland, b Torrance 59 Rntdden, 0 Alloo. b Torranco, . .. 06 fcwith, lbw., t:> Conradi, .. 63 Anthony, c Galland, b Torrance, .. Frater, run out, .. * .. .. )3 Player, b Torrance, 14 /Hooper, not out. . .. .. .. 26 Simpson, !;t. Galland, b Douglas .. 14 Saunders, b Torrance, .. .. .. 5 ißouutroo, I) .Torrance, .. .. 6 fcxtias, .. .. .. .. . 14 Tota 1 r .. 333 Bowling Analysis.—Torrance took seven wickets for 90 runs; Douglas, one for 58; Conradi. one for 85; Zimmerman, nono fov 6; Gidhind, noim for .12: Alloo, none for £7: Blamires, nouc for 42. Play will bo resumed at 11 o'clock (Lhis morning.