THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19218, 6 January 1926, Page 6

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS OTAGO. MARGIN OF FIVE WICKETS. SNEDDEN SCORES A CENTURY. VISITORS' PLUCKY FIGHT. After putting up a fine fight against heavy odds Otago were yesterday defeated by Auckland in the Plunket Shield match by five wickets, i The weather was fine and the wicket had improved overnight. Auckland, with two wickets down for 143, still needed 128 for victory. Snedden and Smith found nothing difficult in tho bowling, which was subjected to several changes. Neither looked like going out, until Smith attempted to force the pace and was bowled. Otago made a strenuous effort to minimise defeat if not to avert it. Anthony was dismissed, after playing an uphill gaino for 22, and then Frater, through being too impetuous. Snedden meanwhile had been scoring attractively and with Cooper as partner ho made the winning hit, leaving Auckland the winners by five wickets. Snedden's batting was very fine, and for polish and finesse it was superior to that of Galland. He made his century in quick time and was not afraid to lay the wood on to anything loose. His placing was a feature of his innings. Smith's 56 was in startling contrast to his innings of the previous day , and ho mado his runs freely. The Otago bowling had lost most of its sting. Torrance could not swervo the ball as much as in the first innings, while all the other fast medium bowlers were easy. Douglas and Alloo required watching at times, but they were brought on at the end of the innings, a time when the batsmen would naturally bo cautious. The visitors were very keen in the field and they contested every run. Description of the Play. Snedden and Smith continued Auckland's second innings confidently to the bowling of Blamires and Galland. Both batsmen found gaps in the field on tho leg side and a quick bowling change was tried, Torrance coming on in place of Blamires. The new bowler was treated with respect, but the score mounted steaddy and after 20 minutes play Smith reached his half century. The scoring brightened up and Snedden reached his century with a fine glance to the leg boundary. Smith too, was evidently after tho hundred, for in Torrance's next over he attempted to hit out and was clean bowled for 56. Blamires took over from Galland when Anthony joined Snedden and the fourth new ball of the match was called for when 200 was raised soon afterwards. Extras assisted materially in bringing the score along and at 230 Alloo was given his first over. Conradi at the other end proved easy, and Anthony scored freely off him. Snedden, however, had quietened down considerably but he reached top score of the match by swinging Conradi to the leg boundary. Anthony attempted a big hit in Alloo's next over and Zimmerman took a running catch on the boundary. Four wickets had now fallen for 248. Tho Winning Hit. Douglas was the next bowler to bo tried ' and Frater, the new batsman, had a narrow escape from being stumped off him. Auckland's victory was now well in sight, but Frater was too impatient. He just escaped being run out and then going for a hit oft' Douglas gave Galland an easy catch. Cooper joined Snedden and there followed a period of cautious batting with both bowlers and fieldsmen alert. One run was needed and then Snedden reached tho boundary with a great cover-drive of! Douglas, giving Auckland the match by five wickets. Following are tho scores:— OTAGO. First Innings i. .i r<v n • 131 Second Innings .. .< t ... 472 AUCKLAND. First Innings e> 333 Second Innings. Mills, run out ro: 20 Horspool, b Blamires .> 0 Snedden, not out .. t .. t.. 131 Smith, b Torranco .. .. 56 A nthony, c Zimmerman, b Alloo >22 Frater, c Galland, b Douglas 10 Cooper, not out ~. .. .. 2 Extras >•• < i. c. • 33 Total for five wickets .. 274 Bowling Analysis.—Alloo took one wickets for 15 runs; Douglas, one for 40; Blamires, one for 46; Torrance, one for 69; Zimmerman, none for. 13; Conradi, none for 27; Galland, none for 31.