CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19831, 29 December 1927, Page 12

CRICKET.

THE WALKER SHIELD.

AUCKLAND'S GOOD CHANCES.

MATCH WITH CANTERBURY

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PREBB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The second round of tho Now Zealand City and Suburban Cricket Association's tournament for the Walker Shield waa continued in sultry weather to-day, when Auckland met Canterbury. The Northerners, who defoated Wellington, tho present holders, on Monday and Tuesday, again demonstrated their superiority by decisively outplaying Canterbury. Canterbury had first use of the wicket, but made a feeble stand acainst R. Burton's slow off-breaks, which accounted for five wickets at a cost of 28 runs. Kerr, a slow left-hander, kept tho other end going steadily, his tally being two wickets for ill. The innings closed for 99 runs, Langford (34) and Stammers (28) being the only batsmen to show a, semblance of form. Tho Aucklanders played much brighter cricket on going to the wickets. A. Gedye and W. Badeley cave the team an excellent start by putting on 77 for the first wickot. Gedyo rattled on 101 in 80 minutes, six sixes and ten fours figuring in his dashing display. The Canterbury bowling was weak, and W. Fletcher, A. Turner and C. Watts also took toll of it before tho innings closed for 262. Gordon and Robertson had to bear tho brunt of the attack, and they plugged away determinedly in the heat, being rewarded with three wickets apiece, while Gray, a one-time Canterbury representative, also did rcspecttably with the ball. With a lcoway of 163 runs to make up, Canterbury again fared badly in their second innings. Langford was again tho only man to show confidonce. When stumps were drawn at 6.30 seven wickets were down for 106 runs. A. Watts, Kerr, Mai'tin and R. Burton came out with lettering bowling figures, but they were lucky. Auckland teems to be assured of tho shield, as Canterbury still require 57 runs to avoid an innings defeat, and have only three wickets in hand. To show how slow tho scoring was in Canterbury's second innings it need only be stated that Besley was at the wic.kots for 70 minutes for bis score of 13 not out. Tho match will be concluded to-morrow morning.