ATTRACTIVE CRICKET

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12650, 10 January 1927, Page 9

ATTRACTIVE CRICKET

GOOD BATTING DISPLAY IN AUCKLAND-WELLINGTON MATCH

NORTHERNERS DISMISSED FOR 307 RUNS LOCAL TEAM PASS FOURTH CENTURY WITH LOSS SEVEN WICKETS

The weather conditions on Saturday were almost perfect for outdoor games. The cricket match between • Auckland and Wellington was continued at the Basin Reserve. The visitors compiled 307 in their first innings, and Wellington have lost seven wickets for 435.

Wellington’s batting strength was again demonstrated at the Basin He* serve on Saturday, when the special match against Auckland was continued, on a fast wicket and in bright sunshine. * Auckland, with seven wickets down for 244* runs, concluded their first innings, the last wicket falling at 307. Wellington occupied the crease for the rest of the day, running up 435 for seven wickets in just over five hours. McGirr (76), James (74), Orr (68), and Kortlang (52) all gave attractive and enterprising displays. A unique feature of Wellington's innings was that, with the exceptions of D. C. Collins (18) and Lambert (22), ail the. batsmen w ho went to the crease contributed 30 and over. Auckland's attack generally lacked sting. Player and Wilson fared best of the eight northerners who shared the bowling. Bowley was not given a turn with the ball. Auckland allowed few catches to go astray, but their ground fielding? was often faulty. Wilson was conspicuous for holding a couple of great catches. POSTLES AND MATHESON RESUME Auckland had put on 244 for seven wickets when stumps were drawn on Friday. The undefeated batsmen, Postlee (50) and Matheson (45) resumed to the bowling of Massey and McGirr. Matheson was not long in continuing his forcing tactics, off-driving Massey to the pickets on a couple of occasions. The University colt's half-century appeared after 68 minutes at the crease, and gave way to the 60 mark in quick time. The northerners took a risk with a short run, with the result that, on account of an overthrow, Postles added 5 to his tally. After the partnership had yielded 126 Matheson fell a victim to Massey. The colt had delighted with a forcing knock of 64, compiled in an hour and a quarter, which included 10 boundaries. 277—8—64. Scott was the newcomer, and Mitchell replaced McGirr. The Hawke's Bay man was not long in striking success. Scott opened with a single, then skied the slow bowler to leg, where Lambert made a quick recovery from slipping, to hold the catch. 280 — 9 —l. POSTLES BOWLED Wilson, the last man, joined Postles, who was carrying on steadily and scoring 'wall off anything loose. Wilson drove both Massey and Mitchell to the pickets, hnd Auckland's third century was hoisted after just over four hours' baiting. However, with the total at 307, Postle's stubborn innings came to an end, Masse? breaking through hie defence. Postles had batted for 135 minutes. He had top-scored with 76, including, a 5 and 6 boundaries. Wilson remained undefeated with 17 to his credit. Massey came off with the best bowling figures. 307—10—76. WELLINGTON AT THE WICKETS Collins and Orr opened Wellington's first innings, Matheson and Player being entrusted with the attack. Bright batting was the order from the outset, and Orr was soon in the twenties* mainly by, stylish cover-driving and well-placed shots through the slips. Collins, despite the fact that he was lacking practice, was very confident, and was after runs. Both batsmen succeeded in getting through the field to the boundary at fairly frequent intervals; and Matheson was treated with scanty respect. Just short of the half-century Wilson replaced the colt at the northern end. Wilson (medium-pace) failed to get a length at the outset, but nevertheless succeeded in bagging Collins's wicket. The Wellington captain mishit the short delivery into Gillespie's safe hands at cover. 49—1—18. FAST SCORING CONTINUES Kortlang filled the vacancy, and immediately sent 50 up with a powerful drive to the on. The innings had been in progress for 30 minutes, and Orr proceeded to make runs at every available opportunity, disclosing a stylish equipment of strokes. Kortlang was severe on any loose stuff, and soon reached double figures. Dacre took the ball from Player at 71, and succeeded in temporarily pulling up the rate of scoring. Orr gained his half-century bv cutting Wilson to the pickets. The Wanganui man had been at the crease for 50 minutes. Cooper tried hie luck in place of Wilson at 86, but had little effect upon the batsmen. When the luncheon adjournment came the telegraph showed: 95—Orr 55, Korttand 20. ORR GOES AFTER LUNCH Cooper 'took up the attack after the resumption, Kortlang bagging a couple and a single before the field changed over. Smeeton had replaced Scott behind the wickets, and the latter took ‘the ball at the southern end. Although a reputed fast bowler, Scott trundled at scarcely medium pace, but commanded respect until Orr drove him prettily past cover for 3. The Wanganui man continued to score brilliantly through the slips, and ran past the 60 mark. Scott's fourth over was accompanied by success, Orr making his first real mistake, and presenting Mills at midon with an acceptable catch. The Wanganui man had given a free and stylish display, stamping himself as a good batsman. Hie off-driving apd cutting had been particularly sweet and crisp, while his strokes were invariably cleverly placed. Hie 68 had been gathered all round the wicket in about an -hour and a half, and included seven boundaries 125—2—68. LOWRY GETS A SIXER Lowry, the newcomer, opened... in. finished style by turning Scott to, leg for a couple, followed by a drive off the same bowler to the off pickets. The ex-Cam-bridge man reached double figures auspiciously by hooking a 6hort ball, from Scott clean over the ropes. Kortlang used the rest of the over to advantage by bringing off a couple, of pretty , shots through the slips, and'l2 was realised off the over. The 150 mark was»left behind, and a few runs later Player bowled in place of Scott, and with the addition of 10 runs, Wilson, who before lunch had been getting a fair amount of pace up, replaced Cooper. Kortlang, who had been temporarily hanging fire in the late forties, made no mistake in pulling an overtoiled one from Player to the ropes. Kortlang's half-century was greeted with applause, but the Thorndon man had* made his final scoring stroke. Facing Wilson, he tapped the ball half way down the wicket, and the bowler reached there in time , to gather in a great diving left-handed | catch. Kortlang had played a characteristic innings, his attractive work on the on being a feature. 171—3—52. LAMBERT IN BRILLIANT MOOD Lambert joined Lowry, who was battjng is free and attractive fashion. He

contributed 30 in fast time. Lambert hooked Player to tlio ropes in brilliant style at the outlet. Dacre brought Matheson back in place or Wilson at 184, and Lambert, after havTng glanced Player through the slips to the fence, beautifully square-cut the colt—a boundary all the way. Lambert, since his advent, had been particularly attractive Within a few runs of tlio double century, Lowry's bright career came to an end, the Hawke's Bay man getting in front to a good-length ball from Player. 197—4—36. James joined Lambert, who ‘ brought 200 up by repeating his favourite squarecut stroke at the expense of Matheson. James opened with a couple of boundaries, then Lambert fell to a great overhead catch by Wilson at mid-off, off Player. The Old Boys' player's sojourn at the crease had been productive of sparkling cricket. 212—5—22. LIVELY RUN STEALING McGirr and James became associated and indulged in some lively short-run stealing. Cooper took the ball from Matheson, and should have had James sent back almost immediately. The young 'keeper danced down the wicket to hit the slow trundier, missed—and was yards out. However, Smeeton failed to gather in the ball, and the easiest of stumping chances went astray. James was verging on the reckless, but lifted Scott, who had replacea Player, nicely over Mills’s head to the on ropes. McGirr, laying on the wood, dispatched Cooper to-the fence twice in one over, and followed by brilliantly square-cut-ting Scott. Postles at point was conspicuous for fine ground fielding. . McGirr was relishing Cooper's well-tossed-up stuff, and drove tlio slow man to the boundary twice in succession. His total rose to SO, five boundaries being included in his tally. When the . tea adjournment came the telegraph showed 258, McGirr being 31 not out and James 23 not out. SPARKLING PARTNERSHIP Player and Matheson, the northern stock howlers, took ut> the attack after the resumption, but McGirr and James both continued in free mood. Audacious running for short ones continued a feature of tue partnership, and was a treat to watch. Auckland were missing Rowntree behind the sticks. McGirr slowed up temporarily, r ,but James was right after runs, scoring briskly all round the wicket. The 3QQI mark was left behind, both batsmen running almost level in the middle forties. A couple of stolen runs, and then James sweetly cut Wilson, who had replaced Matheson, through the slips. His total was 50, and Aucklands' total was passed a couple of minutes later. McGirr's halfcentury was also safe, through the agency of a 8 off Scott. James had bagged seven boundaries and McGirr five at this 'stage. Once past the fifty mark McGirr gave a. slight fireworks display, dispatching Wilson to the pickets twice, in succession. and then brilliantly square-cutting Scott —three ’boundaries off three balls. With thfe f tTdftal; fit 335, Scott took over the gloves from- Cooper took the ball" from Wilson, and McGirr, after landing an upprish stroke safe, drove the slow man straight back to the fence- Dacre tried his luck at the southern end, and waa instrumental in dissolving the breezy and lucrative partnership, McGirr falling to a catch by Scott behind the wicket®. McGirr had given ' ; asi exhilarating display of aggressive batting, and showed a. return to his top form. The partnership had been productive of 134. 346—6—76JAMES SENT BACK Hollings arrived to see James run safely past the €0 mark. Carrying on eerenelv James enterted the seventies, while Hollings, 'after taking no chances at the outset, opened out prettily to Cooper, and reached double figures mainly by off-driving. Smeeton was given a turn, with the ball at 380, and succeeded in putting "finis" to James's merry career, the '"keeper" getting in front to a straight one. Apart from giving a "gift" stumping chance early James had played a chanceless innings. 381—7—74. HOLLINGS AND CHRISTOPHER* SON Christopherson filled the vacancy, and was lucky not to be 6©nt back with only a single to his credit. He cocked one from Cooper a few yards to the off, but the field was just too far out to accept the catch. Hollingfi reached twenty by placing Smeeton for a treble through a gap on the on. Player came back at the southern end with the near approach of the fourth century, but Christopherson put the issue beyond doubt with a couple of fine square-cuts, one a boundary, and became the ninth Wellington man to score double figures. Dacre took a turn at the northern end* but brought Matheson back after an over. The light was now none too good, but both batsmen, after somewhat shaky starts, were going along confidently. Auckland were suffering from the effects from their solid hours in the field. Mills sent down an over of slow stuff, from which Hollings utilised his off-driving to advantage, Christopherson dispatched Cooper to the pickets twice in succession. Stumps * were drawn with the total at 435 for seven wickets. The match will be continued to-day. Details:—

AUCKLAND.—First Innings. J£. >H. Bowley, e Hollings, b'Mitchell 13 J.JL Mills, b McGirr 29 I. .K. Cooper, b Hollings 21 H. 12. Gillespie, lbw b Mitchell 18 A. S. Player, b Hollings 15 C. C. Dacre, c Collins, o Massey 28 A.S. Postles, b Massey ; 76 W. Smeeton, b Massey 11 A. M. Matheson. b Massey 84 A. Scott, c Lambert, b Mitchell 1 H. Wilson, not out 17 Extras (byes 8, log byes 5, widos 1) 14 Total 307 Fall of wickets. —One for 32, two for 67, three for 71> four for 98, five for .120, six for 137, seven for 151, eight for 277, nine for 230, ten for 307.

WELLINGTON.—First Innings. D. C. Collins, c Gillespie, b Wilson 18 G. Orr, c Mills, h Scott 68 B. J, Kortlang, c and b Wilson 52 T. C. Lowry , lbw b Player 3G H. N. Eambert, c Wilson,, b Player... 22 K. James, lbw b Smeefcon 74 H. M. MoGirr, o Scott, b Dacre 76 A. M. Hollings, not out 34 W. J. P. Cbrifitopherson. not out ... 33 Fbctras (byes 18, leg byes 4) 22 Total for seven wicket# 435 JTali si

125, threo for 171, four for 197, fivo for 212, six for 346, seven for 381.

PROVINCIAL GAMES ; PLAY IN THE WAIRARAPA. (Sepecial to “[Times.") MASTEKTON, January 8., The Wairarapa senior championship matches were resumed this afternoon after the holidays. Playing against Carterton, Old Bovs made 170 (Gee 45, Ihbotson 33, McGregor 27, Law 35). Carterton have lost four wickets for -360 runs (Phelps 21, Whitburn 22. Tuekling 58, not out, Denbee 12).. WANGANUI RESULTS Per Press Association. WANGANUI, January 9, The senior cricket competition was continued oh Saturday, when Old Boys made 309 for nine wickets (McAneny, not out 54- Dempster 30, Hutchison 30, Barton 28, King 28, London 27)iin their match with Wanganui. United hare scored 346 (W. G. Williams 148,. Wood 102, Stevens 55). while Marists have registered 39 for four wickets.. MATCHES IN DUNEDIN FIRST GRADE GAMES. Per Press Association. DUNEBIN, January 9. The first grade cricket matches were reoumed on Saturday afternoon, when the weather was showery and the grounds soft before the conclusion '» f play. Albion met Carisbrook, and ran up S. total of 189 runs for two wickets (Blamires 75 not out, and Shepherd 59 not .out). Dickinson took one wicket for 49 runs, and Blunt one for 74. In the Dunedin and Grange match, Phmedin had lost four wickets for 141 when ctumps were drawn. Strang was top scorer with 87. MERCANTILE CRICKET LEAGUE In a match between Customs Agents and Mills, the former seared 12*2 (Stratton 49, Galvin 25, Thomas 19) and Mills 61 (Evans 25). Bowling for the winners Cotterill took five wickets and Jennings three. Tarrant (five) and Didsbury (throe) bowled best for the losers. On Newtown Park, Stewarts 260‘ (Devonport 137 not out, Forbes 79, Bradley 19) defeated Electric Light B 134 (Johnston 58 and Sinclair IS). For the former Devonport took four wickets for 30 and Kait three for 30. Fitzgerald and Faulks shared the howling honours for the vanquished, taking three wickets for 24 find three for 33 respectively. P. and T. Stores and Vacuum Oil Co. clashed on Kiibirnie reserve, when the former scored 122 for five wickets as against their opponents* Itl. Principal scorers for the lasers were Person 44 not out, Atkinson and Monton 18 each. For Stores, Kelly took six wickets for 33, including the hat trick, while Mack dismissed two of the opposition for the loss of 18 runs.

Todd Motor Co. 116 for five wickets (Russell 36 not out, D. Blcwett 36 and Day 24) defeated Smith and Smith 161 (Roberts 31, Webb 13, Carter IS and Chisholm 11). For the winners Russell took five wickets for 36, Gray two for 16, and Day three for 36, while for the losers Carter and Roberts bowled best. Gollins scored 174 (Falconer 62, Walker 34, Olilvee 22, Allison 16) and Dalgotys 31 (Bewa 11). For Gollins Stead took eight wickets for 12 runs. Pastimes 197 for seven wickets (Pringle 47 retired, Helliwell 32, Greig 23, Saliihsori 19, Paterson 16, Toms 15. Rooney 12,' Wylie 22 not Out) defeated Harbour Board 113 (Alexander 39, O’Brien 23, Boxall 11). Bowling for Pastimes Helliwell. took' four wickets for 26 runs, Wylie two for 26 and Robinson two for 36. For) Harbour Board Beveridge took two for 42 and O'Brien two for 56. Y.M.C.A. ."A” team secured a threepoint win over Johnsonville, Y.M.C.A. 275 (S. Hawker 86, W. Hawker 78, J. Peddie 36, E. Robinson 17 not out, Siversen 12, Hylton 10), Johnsonville 197 (E. Neal 48 not. out, J. Mills 42,. L. London 30)-,. Bowling for Y.M.C.A. R. Matthew took three wickets foR 36 runs, Hylton three for 48 and E. Robinson two for 11. For, Johnsonville London took six wickets for 51 runs.

BOWLIjfo ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. McGirr 1 4 Mitchell 13 1 82 3 Ilolling.s 13 1 51 2 Lambert 2 0 26 0 Collings 10 5 0

BOWLING ANALYSIS, 0. M. R. w. Matheson 14 1 70 0 •>9 •J 90 2 Wilson — 48 Dacre 2 20 1 Cooper 2 97 i Scott 0 eo 1 Smecton ... 0 12 1 Mills 0 6 0