PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20779, 23 January 1931, Page 12

PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON.

PLAY COMMENCES TO-DAY.

FAST WICKET PROBABLE.

CLOSE GAME ANTICIPATED

The only Plunket Shield match to be played in Auckland this season will commence at Eden Park this morning between Auckland and Wellington. The visiting team arrived yesterday morning and practised at Eden Park in ths afternoon. Tho team is staying at the Star Hotel. In spite of the heavy rain on Wednesday tho ground was drying fast yesterday and providing no more rain falls tho wicket should bo in fine order to-day. Tho ground had dried so fast yesterday that tho heavy roller was used on the wicket in tho afternoon.

The match to-day will be the last in this season's Plunket Shield series to be played by each province. Both teams defeated Otago outright, but suffered outright defeats at the hands of Canterbury. On paper the teams appear fairly evenly matched #nd a close and interesting match is anticipated. Local Elevon Strengthened.

The Auckland team will be strengthened by the inclusion of Anthony and Finlayson, who were unable to go south with tho louring team. The former is now in his 25th season of representative cricket and is still batting well. Finlayson, an ex-Wellington and New Zealand representative, is one of the best, if not the best, left-hand trundlcrs in New Zealand at the present time. Some new faces will be seen in the Wellington team as several players are making their first appearance in Auckland. C. S. Dempster, the Wellington coach, has failed to produce his best form in big cricket so far, but is liable to make a start at any time. T.owry. McGirr, Lambert, James and ? McLeod arc all well-known in Auckland. Ihe lastnamed will be twelfth man.

A good deal of interest will centre in Blundell, a medium pace right-hand bowler, who to date has taken nine wickets in shield cricket at an average of 26.11. Attention will also be devoted to Crook, a medium fast right-hander, who has taken 10 wickets at ix cost of 22.70 runs apiece, and the left-hander, J. Newman, whose average is nine wickets for 19.22 runs each.

Selecting Dominion Team. Owing to the fact that the selection of the New Zealand team will take place in Auckland and the four selectors, Messrs. W. S. Brice (Wellington), 11. B. Whitta (Canterbury). F Williams (Otago), and N. C. Snedden (Auckland), will be watching the game, more than the usual keen interest which results in tho meeting of the two provinces will bo attached to the match. The hours of plnv are as follows for the four days—to-day, to-morrow, Monday and Tuesday:—il to 1.15, 2to 4, 4.15 to 6, Following are the teams:—

AUCKLAND. 0 F. W. Allcott (Grafton), captain. J. E. Mills (Eden). A. J. Postles (Eden). H. G. Vivian (Parnell). G. L. Weir (Eden). A. H. Anthony (Parnell). A. F. Wenslev (North Shore). C. G. Finlayso'n (Ponsonby). A. M. Matheson (University). D. Oleverley (Ponsonby). 11. Hunt (Ponsonby). Reserves: H. D. Gillespie (Eden), A W. McCoy (Parnell) WELLINGTON. T. C. Lowry (Rangitikei), captain. C. S. Dempster (Institute). D. Cameron (Rangitikei). L. V. Browne (Old Boys). K. C. James (Old Boys). H. M. McGirr (Hutt). H. N. Lambert (Old Boys). R. Crook (Kilbirnie). H. B. Massey (Wairarapa). .T. Newman (Midland). E. D. Blundell (Wellington). Twelfth man: E. G. McLcod (Uni versify. Messrs. K. Cave (Wanganui) and L T. Cobcroft (Wellington) have been se lected as umpires for the match.