THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19857, 30 January 1928, Page 8

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

It is not common to count a trophy as lost befoi;e the match which linally decides the issue is over. Yet, though the Auckland-Wellington game is not finished, there is little risk in hailing Wellington as the side winning the Plunket Shield this year. If Auckland could even manage to win the match—not by any means a probable contingency, even allowing for the traditional "glorious uncertainty" of cricket—the success would have to be much more substantial than is conceivable for the trophy to be retained. It can be handed over to Wellington quite cheerfully. The quickened interest in cricket which has been noticeable in recent seasons, partly because the results of sound coaching are beginning to be manifest, partly because of New Zealand's unexpectedly successful experience among the English counties, has not yet aroused such a pitch of feeling over possession of the Plunket Shield as is shown about other trophies in other sports. If it never appears in cricket it will be the better for cricket. The more the interprovincial trophy changes hands the better for the game. Under present rules it has to be defended ■- against all comers every season. So the interprovincial matches are regularly provided for without the need for challenge and acceptance. Last year Auckland, this year Wellington, next year somebody else—this would bo the best fate the Plunket Shield could have.