CRICKET NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19218, 6 January 1926, Page 12

CRICKET NOTES.

PLAY IN THE SHIELD MATCH, j i AUCKLAND'S FIRST VICTORY.! PROSPECTS OF THE TEAMS. AUCKLAND'S BOWLING WEAKNESS The annual competition for the Plunkct Shield, the symbol of inter-provincial cricket supremacy, is now well under way. To date Otago and Canterbury have both played two matches, while Auckland and Wellington have played one each. Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury have all won a match. In addition Canterbury has lost one, while Otago have been unsuccessful in both their games, i From this it would appear that Auckland I and Wellington will be tho chief contestants in the end. I Auckland's victory against Otago was ■well-merited, but the weakness in bowling was badly shown up. In the first innings, Player had a strong cross wind 1-o help him and he swerved dangerously. Some of his deliveries were almost unplayable. The greatest danger in them lay in tho fact that he swerved at the end of the flight and not right through it. None of the slow bowlers, of whom there were plenty in tho Auckland side, ■was successful, although Smith required watching in Otago's first innings. Saunders, who earned his place as a bowler, was given very little to do in the first innings and in the second had the misfortune to have several catches dropped off him. Next to Player, Simpson was really the most useful of the Auckland bowlers. He dismissed McMullen for small scores in botli innings, and on Monday morning was bowling particularly well, making a good deal of pace off the wicket. He gives the impression that he would bo at his best if he were to bo bowled for about four overs at a time and then rested. Review of the Batting. Auckland's batting in the first inning!? was of a most unenterprising type. Horspool, Smith and Mills all obtained good scores, but the batting was painfully slow. Mills lived up to his club reputa,tion of being a bright and polished bat. He should be one of Auckland's regular opening batsmen for some time now. The Otago bowling during Auckland's first innings was very solid. Particularly with Torrance could no liberties be taken, and | he gave a very fine display of steady bowling. In the second innings the visiting team was feeling the effect of three days' hard play and the bowling suffered in consequence. Smith and Snedden took advantage of this and played in startling contrast to their, first efforts. Snedden played exactly the type of innings that was ■wanted. He scored quickly without taking any undua risks and obtained a wellmerited century. His cover drives and leg shots were as pretty as they were effective. Smith gave a very good display in compiling 63. The Otago team was_not the province's strongest side, but it put up an' exceedingly creditable fight. The second innings, in which 472 was scored,, was a splendid effort, chiefly distinguished by two great partnerships. Blamires and Zimmerman were effective in staving off the innings defeat while' Galland and Knight made it appear that thero was even a possibility of vietorv. Blamires and Knight both "gave sound displays, although neither provided any sensational . batting. Good Work by Galland. Galland's innings, which realised the first century of the game, was most valuable, and he showed that he had not lost any of his old aggressive tactics. Anything loose sent down to him was despatched straight to the boundary. Zimmerman is one of the most promising colts in the team. He made his runs well, although his style is a trifle clumsy, and he shows distinct promise as a bowler. His work in the field was also good. Another player who shows promise is Douglas, the slow bowler, whilo Cherry, another young member of the team, should make a finished batsman. This was tho first time that No. 1 ■wicket at Eden Park had been played on this season, and it stood the three and a-half days' play well. It showed a tendency to wear on Monday evening, but this was practically its only fault. Canterbury Match Prospects. The general opinion of the members of the Otago team is that Auckland should experience no difficulty in defeating Canterbury next week-end. The team's batting has been strengthened by the inclusion of Qerrard, but the bowling will Rot bo at full strength until the return of Allcott from Australia. The Canterbury team is strong, but six of tho best players are absent with tho New Zealand team. A good game should result, however, and interest vr'U centre ip the appearance of Cox, whoso score of 204 against Otago marked him as one of the most promising young batsmen in the Dominion. It will jbe interesting to compare him with Mills. The overwhelming defeat of Canterbury by Wellington cannot be taken as any Criterion of its/ true form. The homo team had all the luck, batting first, on a good wicket, while Canterbury went in under most treacherous conditions. The Wellington bowlers had even more of a day out than the batsmen, with the result that Wellington won by an innings and 332 runs. Badcocki who has not been outstanding in club cricket this season, jumped right into the limelight when the wicket suited him and took ten wickets lor 60 runs. Match With Wellington. As an exhibition of batting the game between Auckland and Wellington to be played in Wellington toward tho end of this month should be well worth witnessing. Both teams are very strong in batting, and Auckland will probably have Dacre, Allcott and Gillespio to improve them still further in this department, If conditions favour batting, Wellington's bowling should not bo exceptionally dangerous and the scoring may even be expected to pass that of the memorable 3923 Ecamo in Wellington when a total of 1531 runs was scored. Wellington won j the game by 365 runs, and at present it | seems as if their chances arc the brighter for this year. They will have the added, advantage of playing the game on their home ground. This fact should also play an important part in tho match against Otago which will commence in Dunedin on January 22. Wellington will have their strongest team in the field, but Otago will be reinforced by the inclusion of Dickonson and Shepherd, and should have every chance of victory. The cry in Auckland cricket at present is for good young bowlers but very few seem to be forthcoming. Simpson with practice and coaching should develop into a eood fast bowler for at present he is well worth his place in the representative team. Tho only slow bowler who has any claims for inclusion is Johnson of North Shore, He would have benefited much by a game against either Otago or Cfinterbory, but. tho Wellington match would probably be too importr*it as a trial for him. Butler, who now plays for Eden, is a youne slow bowler who ran he expected to do well in the future \vh ; l.-> Mon'f, who will probably play for North Shore after the holidays, is a fast bowler with all the necessary qualifications.