PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20509, 10 March 1930, Page 13

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH.

WELLINGTON OUT FOR 283.

century by McLEOD

AUCKLAND BATTING AGAIN.

34 RUNS SCORED WITHOUT LOSS.

[Bl' TELEGRArH. —ATHLETIC REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Saturday.

The final Plunket Shield cricket match, between Auckland and Wellington, was resumed to-day at the Basin Reserve, in fine weather. The state of tho game at the end of tho day was decidedly in favour/ of Auckland, which has a first innings lead of 150, and in tho second innings has scored 34, without loss. With two days to go, and providing the weather keeps "fine, Auckland has excellent prospects of retaining tho Shield. Wellington's early batsmen failed badly, six'wickets being down foi\4l. A very fine recovery was then made, the innings closing for 283. McLeod, the ex-Auckland representative, scored a century, and received able assistance from Gallichan, James, and Massey. The Auckland bowlers held the upper hand in the morning's play. They wero assisted greatly by fino work by Hunt, behind wickets, the Ponsonby/ representative accounting for three wickets iu tho morning, and another immediately after lunch. McCoy and Hunt resumed Auckland's innings, which, however, ended in the second over, when Hunt was struck by a fast' one from Henderson, and retired hurt. The only addition to Auckland's total was a no-ball, which Henderson bowled. Lowry and Foley opened Wellington's innings, but before a run had been scored Foley was caught behind tho wickets by Hunt, off Matheson. The total was only 7 when Lowry shared a similar fate, the Wellington captain having scored six of them. Hollings and Ross advanced the score to 28, when Hollings patted one back to Matheson, whose average at this stage was f.hree for 11. After bowling twelve oversi Matheson gave way to Anthony, who met with immediate success. Ross tried to hit one to leg, but got under it and Wensley ran across from first slip and caught the ball behind the wicketkeeper. Cameron was stumped by Hunt, making Anthony's average two for 3. Six Wickets for 40. The score at the luncheon adjournment was five for 40, which was a debacle from Wellington's point of view. Moreover it had taken 95 minutes to make the runs. McGirr "accompanied McLeod to the wickets after lunch, but the former left without scoring, being caught behind the wicket off Allcott. This was Hunt's fourth /victim. McLeod and Gallichan then became associated in a useful partnership, scoring a few'boundaries with good driving and cutting. With 80 on the board, McCoy was put on in place of Anthony, ten coming off the over, including two bounddaries. The slow bowler did not strike a length for a start. The century was posted after 135 minutes' play. McLeod and Gallichan were not only holding up the attack, but were scoring freely, and tunning smartly between the wickets. They were keeping fairly level, _ and reached the thirties practically simultaneously: Gallichan then lost his wicket. He rjin out to play a ball from McCoy, missed it on the full, and was bowled. The partnership was a most useful one of 70. James settled dcivn slowly. Matheson bowled again when the board showed 120, replacing McCoy, whose six overs had cost 29 runs, McLeod skied Matheson's fourth ball high over tho heads of the slips. Wensley had replaced Allcott, who had bowled 12 overs for 24 runs. McLeod went steadily along towards his half- • century, which he reached after 95 minutes' batting. The score kept mounting up, and 150 was posted after 185 minutes' play. McLeod iand James were still together at the afternoon tea adjournment when the score was 179 for seven wickets (McLeod 61, James 35). The adjournment proved fatal to James, who added only tw r o before touching a swinger from Elliott, being smartly caught at first slip by Weir. Massey was fortunate early in snicking Wensley between Weir and Elliott in the slips. McLeod settled into his stride again, and scored chiefly with cuts and glide 3 behind the / wicket. He moved steadily toward his century, every scoring stroke being applauded. With the score- at 250. McLeod ,reached the coveted three figures with a sweet glance to the leg boundary off Anthony. The ex-Aucklander was accorded a great ovation. Ho had been hatting for three and a-quarter hours. ' McLeod Caught by Weir. Massey meantime had been batting very soundly and making good scoring shots. He was now in the thirties. McLeod,, and Massey ran many short singles and this nearly brought about their undoing. Massey played a ball from Anthony to the off. Weir fielded smartly and threw the ball to Hunt, but McLeod got the umpire's decision. It was a close call. McLeod went next ball, however, hitting Anthony into the safe hands of Weir at deep square leg._ Seven runs were required to save tho follow-on when Henderson, the last man, came'.in. Massey then commenced to^ hit out. He drove one from Anthony into ♦ lie deep field, where Elliott raced in and made a gallant effort to get under the hall, just touching it with his right hand. Ir. the next over Massey was caught and howled, Allcott effecting a fine one-hand catch. Auckland's Second Venture. Wellington was exactly "150 runs behind and / Could liaVo been compelled to bat agaip had Allcott wished. The Auckland captain, however, had no desire to bat on tho wicket in the fourth innincs. and consequently sent Mills and Anthony to the wickets. There wero 17 minutes remaining for play. ' Anthony faced McGirr, whose fourth delivery rose sharply, struck tho hatsman on the hand, and the ball went high to leg. James raced toward if, but failed, in his dive to get under it. Henderson bowled from the other end. Runs came freely and Ross was tried at Henderson's end. A separation was not effected, the score at stumps being 34. McGirr howled four overs for 15 runs, Henderson, two for 10; and Ross, one for •8. Details of the scores are, Auckland's first innings total being one more than at the drawing of stumps on Friday:— 'WELLINGTON.—First Innings. Foley, c Hunt, b Matheson . . . . 0 Lowry, c Hunt, b Matheson . . 6 Hollings, c and b Matheson .. 16 Boss, c Wensley, b Anthony . . H Cameron, st Hunt, b Anthony . . 5 McLeod, c Weir, b Anthony . . 102 McGirr, c Hunt, b Allcott .. • • 0 Gallichan, b McCoy . . . . . « 34 James,- c Weir, b Elliott .* • 37 Massey, n and b Allcott ..■ r49 Henderson, not out .. ». • 1 . Extras . . . * e •-® 22 Total . . .. ;. .. 283 Bowling.—Matheson, three for 56; Wensley, none for 48; Anthony, three for 43; Allcott. two for 52; Elliott, one for ''33; McCoy, one for 27. Fall of Wickets.—One for 0, two for 7, three for 28, four for 37. five for 40, six for 41, seven for 111, eight for 191. nine for / 277, ten for 283. Auckland, First Innings . . • 433 Second Innings. Anthony, not out . . ..- .» 12 Mills, not. out . . . . . • y . 20 Extras . . . . .. » • 2 Total for no wickets ?*, ** 34