CRICKET NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 13

CRICKET NOTES.

BLUNT'S fine achievement. double century scorers. presentation to rowntree. "Jhc magnificent score of 338 not out compile by R. 0. Blunt, in tlio Canter-bury-Otago Plunkct Shield match just com pletcd is easily a record for Flunket ghield games, and'it may stand for many rears. The double century mark has been passed by several provincial batsmen, but this is the first third century total. This is tho third occasion upon which Blunt has compiled more than 200 in firstclass matches, his other innings being 221 for Otago against Canterbury in 1928, an d 225 against the Gentlemen of England in the recent tour of the New Zealand team. The previous highest score in Plunkct ghield cricket stood to the credit of S. q Smith, of Auckland, who made 256 against Canterbury in 1920. Seven double centuries have been scored in Shield games, six of them since the 1924-25 season. Previously S. G. Smith Stood alone with 256, but in the 1925-26 geason double-centirry scores were obtained bv A. Cox, Canterbury, B. J. Kortlang, Wellington, and J. S. Hiddleston, Wellington, the last-named securing two such Bcores. The list of scores in excess of 200 is as follows: — 356, not out.—R. C. Blunt (Otago) v. Canterbury, 1931-32. 256 —S. G. Smith,(Auckland), v. Canterbury, 1920-21. 221.—15. G. Blunt (Otago), v. Canterbury, 1928-29. 214, not out.—B. J. Kcrtlarg (Wellington), v. Auckland, 1925-26. 212. J. S. Hiddleston (Wellington), v. Canterbury,-1925-26. 204. J. S. Hiddleston (Wellington), v. Auckland, 1925-26. 204—A. Cox (Canterbury), v. Otago, 1925-26. Otago's Big Totals. It will be noticed that four of these scores have been made against Canterbury. Two were compiled against Auckland, both in the same season, while Otago has one against it. Otago's total oi 589 in the match with Canterbury completed yesterday falls but 13 runs short of the record for Plunket Shield matches established by the same province against Canterbuv in 1928-29. The total of 602 runs for eight wickets, declared, included 11. C. Blunt's score of 221.

The action of the Wellington Association in presenting li. W. Bowntree, the Auckland wicket-keeper, with a case of pipes at the conclusion of the AucklandWellington match on Monday will find considerable appreciation throughout the Dominion Bowntree has been Auckland's wicket-keeper for a. number of years, and during that time lias become much esteemed by players and public alike. Rgwn'ree has served Auckland well, as a glance at his performances will show, and his brilliance behind the stumps has prompted critics at various times to place him among the world's best. A similar presentation was made to R own tree by the' Otago Association in 1929 at the conclusion of the AucklandOtago contest. Rowntree was at his best during this match, taking three catches and stumping three batsmen. Thirds Test Match. The third test match between the touring South African cricketers and Australia will commence at Melbourne tomorrow. South Africa failed to show to advantage in - the preceding tests, suffering defeat by an innings and 163 runs in the first, instance and an innings and 155 runs in the second match. However, the visitors are becoming more familiar with Australian conditions and batting and bowling with every match played, and it is anticipated they will give a better account of themselves in this test. The Australian eleven is a strong one, but it would fall considerably nearer to the standard of its opponents without that brilliant batsman Bradman, who, in

the two test matches played already, has proved a source of infinite worry to the South African bowlers. In the first match Bradman compiled 226, surpassing Victor Trumper's record score against the South Africans of 214, made at Adelaide In 1910-11. Bradman followed with 219 against the South Africans in the New South Wales match and then compiled 112 in the second test. It will be interesting to see if the New South Wales wonder batsman can in this match increase his total of double centuries in first-class matches, which now stands at 14. Bradman's List.

Bradman's list of double centuries is as follows:—452 not out v. Queensland, 340 and 220 v. Victoria, 254 v. South Australia, 254, 334 and 232 v. England, 226 and 219 v. South Africa, 223 v. West Indies, 225 in Australian eleven trial, 206 v. Worcestershire, 252 not out v. Surrey, 205 v. Kent.

t In view of the impending tour of the I Dominion by the South Africans, their performances are being watched with gicat § interest in New Zealand. Except in a | few instances the Springboks have shown | very little consistent form in batting, i although they are reputed to have two 1 or three really first-class bowlers. I When the New Zealand cricketers were I in England one or two leading English sports writers opened their commentary on the visitors by stating that, while the New Zealanders had shown splendid xmI provement since their previous visit in • 1927, the Dominion players themselves 1 would be the first to deprecate the asser- | tion that they were up to the standard | of the South Africans. While New Zea--1 land enthusiasts accepted this statement | without demur, the corning matches with the South Africans should prove wnclliei such criticism was justified. I BIG BOWLING CARNIVAL. ARRANGEMENTS IN SYDNEY. ' The New South Wales Bowling Associa--8 tion will hold a big carnival in || celebration of the official opening of the v : Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is confiH dently anticipated that the carnival will If be the biggest -ever held in Australia, H and competitors will include players from If all Australian States, New Zealand, Great Sj Britain, Canada, United States, South Africa and Fiji. H Play will commence on Monday, March jfe 21, two days after the official opening of tlie bridge, with a rinks competition, which-will be played in sections. In - this event each rink will play nine games, ||; ®ach day for three days, the secf: tion winners will then play off. There will also be a singles tournato be called the Harbour Bridge P "ingles, to follow the links play. Trophies |: will bo presented in accordance with the scale obtaining for Australian chaniKjlpionships, and * special medals are H "fling struck in commemoration of the P; historic occasion. A special souvenir is k also being prepared to be presented to jjh-**ch competitor. It is expected that the dominations will be around the 2000 mark.