FINE PARTNERSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20758, 29 December 1930, Page 10

FINE PARTNERSHIP.

VIVIAN'S IMPRESSIVE PLAY.

MATHESON CREATES SURPRISE. CANTERBURY ATTACK BROKEN. (IIV TELEGRAPH. —ATHLETICS REPORTER..) CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. 1 The fine recovery made by Auckland in its second innings came as a welcome reversal of form to that' shown in tho first innings and fully justified tho belief that the team was strong in batting. As was anticipated, Auckland, after its good start, followed up its success to-day, and the majority of the members of the team gave good batting exhibitions. There were times when the spectators barracked the batsmen, Cleverley and Hunt, in holding up their wickets for Matheson, being called at several times. Matheson, who was very slow for a start, also came in for some barrack, but later showed his ability with the bat and scored freely, including a beautiful hit for a six. Weir and Vivian, who batted so well on the previous afternoon, were not troubled by the bowling, and scored with nico shots all round the wicket. Weir was far more aggressive. t,han on tho previous day, and his innings was a fine example of solid defence with clean scoring shots. His driving on either side of the wicket and his cutting and gliding were very neatly executed. On one or two occasions he lifted the ball, but always clear of tho field. Ho was congratulated on all sides on his display. Fine Fighting Batsman.

As in previous matches Weir proved what a fine fighting batsman ho is. Auckland was by no means in a good position \vhen he went to the batting crease. Fifty-two-runs were on the board at that stage and while he was at the wickets 292 runs were added to the total. Weir was in for 230 minutes for his 134 runs and he hit 16 fours.

The fine partnership between Weir and Vivian was responsible for breaking the Canterbury attack, and the batsmen who followed had conditions much easier. Vivian again upheld the reputation which he had in Canterbury before his arrival. Page placed his fieid in an endeavour to bottle up Vivian's boundary strokes, and succeeded to a great extent jn. this direction. On the previous afternoon Vivian had hit seven fours in making 45 and his additional 36 runs to-day included only two boundaries. Nevertheless he played most attractive cricket, placing the ball nicely for twos.and singles.. He is considered in Canterbury to be certain of the tour to England with the New Zealand team. Vivian lost his wicket in attempting .to force a full toss. He was at the wickets for . 129 minutes.

Gillespie started much better than usual and appeared likely to make a good score until, in playing back to a ball well up, he was beaten by the pace off the wicket. The Auckand coach batted very well for his twenty runs. lie appeared unlucky to be given out leg-before to a decision for which the bowler did not appeal. Allcott Strikes Form.

Allcott, who had failed to strike his batting form in club cricket in Auckland, showed he is as reliable as ever in big matches. Commencing quietly, he opened out later, and. at.one time four of. his scoring strokes yielded successive boundaries. Very strong off driving was a feature of his exhibition, although he scored well with back cuts and on shots. Allcott batted for 100 minutes and hit eight fours. The great surprise, more especially to southern enthusiasts, 1 was the score compiled by Matheson. At the start he was slow, but once he was set- lie-gave a good display-of all-round shots. He was a little lucky when in the sixties in giving a couple of chances. • Matheson square cut, drove and hooked fours .in exhilarating style. Cleverley and Hunt did their best to hold their wickets intact in order to allow Matheson to score his century. Matheson was at the wickets for 96 minutes and hit twelve fours and a six. Another six was included in his total owing to a overthrow for four. McCoy's style impressed, and his 21 was made very confidently, his strong cover drives yielding him most of his. runs. Under the oppressive conditions the Canterbury bowlers and fieldsmen experienced a most truing time. They never let up and fielded well throughout, Page and Kerr doing some great work. Credit is due (o Page for the manner in which he handled the bowling and held his young team together. With the Canterbury attack well collared there were many calls round tho ground for Read, whoso omission from the team is causing a lot of criticism. Burrows Bowls Well. Burrows did most of tho bowling for Canterbury and was again steady. He sent down 43.4 overs for two wickets and 89 runs, which works. out at just over two runs per over. This must be considered a fine effort in a score of 637. Talbot, Lester and Cromb also secured two wickets each.

Merritt never looked dangerous and proved very expensive. His bowling, similar to his fielding, seemed to be taken very casually, and-only in two or three overs did he appear to trouble the batsmen at all. With the batsmen going right out Merritt could not find a counter move, and, as he is ko slow, the players had plenty of time to watch him. Merritt is a slower bowler now than a year ago. Canterbury was set a difficult task to compile 473 runs in a fourth innings. It lias made a good start and still has ten wickets in hand. Kerr batted well'again, but Hamilton should have'beCn dismissed. Hunt dropping hinr behind the wickets off Allcott. Canterbury now requires 417 runs to win. .

Monday is the last day of play, and, according io the new system of scoring, if Canterbury plays throughout the day and does not 'make the runs for nn outright win it will secure a. win on (he first innings. There are several Canterbury enthusiasts who consider there is the batting talent in the team to make the necessary runs for an outright win. This seems extremely unlikely against the Auckland attack, and the visiting team is in a good position to win tho match outright. Dorreen, who kept, wickets so well , for Canterbury in Auckland's first innings, was not so impressive to-day. Hunt is suffering from an injured finger caused by a knock from Clcverley.