PLUNKET SHIELD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23545, 4 January 1940, Page 5

PLUNKET SHIELD

IMPORTANT MATCH AUCKLAND AND CANTERBURY PLAY COMMENCING TO-MORROW VISITORS' STRONG ELEVEN What is likely to prove the deciding imUcli of the Phmket Shield series for the 19-'39-40 season will be commenced at Eden Park to-morrow and .will continue on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. In this contest Auckland will play Canterbury. The latter holds a lead of two points over Auckland at the moment, having scored a win on the first innings over Otago and an outright win over Wellington. Auckland suffered a first innings defeat against Wellington and registered an .outright win over Otago. Tho position regarding the forthcoming match is particularly interesting. A win of any description will give Canterbury tho shield. On tho other hand, an outright win for Auckland will permit it to retain the trophy, whereas a win lor Auckland on the first innings will make the two provinces even in ket will be awarded to the side having 'th6_. best average performance. ■•'Tho Auckland selector, Mr. H. Duncan, has .choscri the samo team to oppose Canterbury.. as -.thai) which defeated 'Otago during , last- week-end, with tho exception that D, C."deverley' replaces A. M, Matheson, who' is.: not available. J. Cowie had previously notified, tho selector that he would bo. unablo, to play, but ho is now available. H. Harrison,,'.of Eden, was twelfth man for the' OtttgO jpatch, but on this occasion H. G. Walters; of the North Shore Club, is being given the opportunity of gaining the big match atmosphere. This is quito a progressive and encouraging move on the part of tho selector. Mr. Duncan's team for the match against Canterbury is as follows: W. M. Wallace (Parnell), captain. P. E. Whitelaw (Parnell). H. T. Pearson (Middlcmore). J. A. R. Blandford (Middlcmore). V. S. Sale (North Shore). G. L. Weir (Eden). W. N. Carson (Eden). V. J. Scott (Y.M.C.A.) D. C. Cleverley (Middlerpore). C. Brr':e (Grafton). J. Cowie (Grafton). H. G. Walters (North Shore), twelfth man.

CANTERBURY TEAM STRONG ALL ROUND ELEVEN SOME OUTSTANDING BATSMEN The team to represent Canterbury in this year's Plunket Shield series is a strong one, although' there were one or two surprises in the selection, states a Christchurch writer. The biggest was the inclusion of R. C. Webb, as wicketkeeper for the match against Otago. Webb has been in a military camp sinco ihe season opened, and while there is no doubt as to his ability both with the gloves and as a batsman when he is in regular play, it is Questionable whether he should have been included before others who have been playing regularly and who have attended representative practice. Potentially the side is a strong one in batting. Kerr, Mcnzics, Hadlcc, Anderson and Cromh are all in (heir best form with tho bat, but Donnelly failed in the last match after starting the season well. O'Brien, although he has played only one game, thoroughly deserves his place, and , Davis is liable to score well at any time. Mcßae prefers to hit haTd and has made some good scores. Roberts alono has vet to strike form. He, however, has done well in past representative games and he has a happy knapk of rising to a big occasion. As seems to be usual with Canterbury the province has~;nf>'.'fast bowler. so that "the brunt of the, attack will fall on Roberts, Davis and McHae. Of these three Davis has done hest in club games, but Roberts is .'i better bowler than his figures so. far indicate. Mcßae, left-hand, is a steady bowler who is bard to score off. One of .the biggest surprises is the omission <o{ E. Mulcock, who has been Canterbury's most successful stock bowler over tho last few seasons. Mulcock has not been as effective as usual in club games this season, apparently being troubled hy a leg injury. Against West Christ church in the last match, however, lie was right back to his best form, and it is possible that the Canterbury team will regret his absence in their hard matches in the north. For variety, Cromh and Donnelly. .right and left-hand slow bowlers respectively. have both had experience that should enable (hem to take wickets, while, if necessary, O'Brien can take a turn with the hall. On the northern tour Harbidge will get his chance in hig cricket for the first time. His greater experience as a wicket-keeper gains him a place in front of James, ,who, however, is unlucky to miss selection in view of his excellent batting form. The team is as follows: —J. L. Kerr, R. E. ,T. Menzies, M. P. Donnelly, W. McD. Anderson* E. P. O'Brien, W. A. Hadlee, H. Davis. 1. B. Cromb, D. N. Mcßae. A. W. Roberts, B. C. Harbidge. V. Tames, 12th 111 The Canterbury team arrived from Wellington last, evening and is staying at the WaverIcy Hotel. SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION V f • P FOR SATURDAY ' "The Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association "has arranged tho following matches, to bo played next Saturday.— Senior Grade. —Second section: Green Lane v. No. 15, Messrs. H. C. Burr and'i Wl Peebles; Brixton v. Matiukau, Victoria Park No. 7, Messrs. C. Bishop and H. E. Bennett; Harbour Board v. Mount Roskill, Victoria Park No. !), Messrs. L. Marks and J. W. Adahison'; Transport v. Dilworth, Victoria Park No. 10, Messrs. M. V. Smith and D. McDonald. , „ Socond Grade. —Suburbs v. N.Z. Milk Products, Domain No.. 11: R.V. v. Auckland Meat Company, Domain No. 0; New Lynn v. Avondale, Victoria Park No. I*2; Manukau v. Mount Roskill, Victoria Pnrk No. 5. Third Grade. Manukau v. Suburbs, Domain No. f>; Native Department v. Woolworths. Victoria Park No. 3; Glen Eden v. Tui, Victoria Park No. 2; Gillies v. Weddcrburn, Domain No. 7.