THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19541, 21 January 1927, Page 12

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

FINAL GAME STARTS TO-DAY. | WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND. KEEN CONTEST ANTICIPATED. A cricket match which promises to provide one of the sternest encounters of recent years and which has probably caused more wide-spread interest than any other game; since the inception of the Plunket Shield competition in 1907, will be commenced at Eden Park at eleven o'clock .this'morning, when Auckland will meet Wellington in the final match of the season. Both teams have defeated Otago and Canterbury by fairly substantial margins this season, although Wellington's performances have been the more meritorious. Wellington holds the shield at present, and the match which starts today will decide which of the two provinces is to hold the trophy during the coming year. Last year Wellington scored a decisive victory over Auckland at the Basin Reserve, winning by 512 runs, but won the shield on averags performances, having lost one game previously to Otago, while Auckland defeated the two southern teams. The Auckland side is naturally keen to turn the tables on its old rivals this year, and as the teams are very evenly matched the contest should bo exceptionally keen. ) The teams are as follow: Wellington.—W. S. Brice (captain), F. T. Badcock, J. S. Hiddleston, M. Henderson, A. M. Hollings, K. C. James, B. J. Kortlang, H. N. Lambert, T. C. Lowry, H. M. McGirr, R. Y. DeR. Worker, with C. S. Dempster twelfth man. Auckland.—C. C. Dacre (captain), C. F. W. Allcott, A. Anthony, E, H. Bowley, I. W. Cooper, H. D. Gillespie, A. M. Matheson, J. E. Mills, A. ; S. Player, R W. Rowntree, N. C.' Snedden, with R. E. Frater as twelfth man. Wellington's Strong Batting. The Wellington team, by its performances this season, is probably the strongest batting combination that has ever represented a New Zealand province. In its J f\vo Plunket Shield matches this season with Otago and Canterbury, the side has scored 1623 runs in four completed innings, and four centuries have been scored by its members. J. S. Hiddleston has scored 121 and 114, F. T. Badcock 155, and K. C. James 107 not out. The South Island teams have scored 822 runs against Wellington this year. The very fact that C. S. Dempster, of Wanganui, has been relegated to the position of twelfth man shows the batting strength of the team. Dempster is among the first flight of Dominion batsmen, always attacking the bowling fearlessly, and he is also a first-class fieldsman. M. Henderson has been included to strengthen the bowling of the team. The whole of the Wellington eleven and Dempster in addition have been nominated for selection in the team to tour England. The Auckland Eepresentatives. The Auckland eleven, with one exception, can be classed as the strongest side that could be fielded against the formidable Wellington team. It is strong in batting, and on the wicket at Eden' Park; should prove somewhat stronger than Wellington in bowling. The wickfit does not play as high as does that at the Basin Reserve, and this may have an effect on the bowling, of McGirr and Henderson. Auckland has more slow bowlers "than Wellington, and more variety in attack. The game will be continued on Saturday and Monday, and then daily until it is finished. Messrs. A. Mullinger and W. A. Duff have been selected to act as umpires for the game. It is interesting to note that Wellington has never yet beaten Auckland in. Auckland in a Plunket Shield match and that Auckland has not beaten Wellington in Wellington since 1919.. Since 1860 a total of 32 matches have been played between Auckland and Wellington representative sides. Of these Auckland has won 18, Wellington 10, and four haVe been drawn. List of Shield-Winners. * The provinces that have held the Plunket! Shield are as follow: . 1907.—Canterbury. 1907-08.—Auckland. 1908-09.—Auckland. 1909-10.—Auckland. 1910-11.—Canterbury. 1911-12.—Auckland. 1912-13.—Canterbury. 1913-14.—Canterbury 1914-15.—Canterbury, 1916-18.—No matches played. • 1918-19.—Wellington and- Canterbury, 1919-20.—Auckland. 1920-21.—Wellington.; ' V, ' 1921-22.—Auckland. 1922-23.—Canterbury, 1923-24.—Wellington, 1924-25.—Otago. • 1925-26.—Wellington. The most successful province has been Canterbury, which has hejd the shield seven times. Auckland has won it six tiniesy four times and Otago once. Therefore, Auckland has to win the present match to equal Canterbury's record. TEAM FOR ENGLAND. CANTERBURY'S ASPIRANTS. FIVE PLAYERS NOMINATED* [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COEEESPONDEKT.] CHRISTGHTJECH. Thursday. The Canterbury Cricket Association has nominated the * following players for places in the New Zealand cricket team which is to tour England:—M. L. Page, W. Cunningham, C. Oliver, R. O. Talbot and C. G. Crawford. Talbot was passed over by the Canterbury selectors for the Auckland and Wellington Plunket Shield matches.