CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19687, 14 January 1926, Page 8

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD. CANTERBURY v. AUCKLAND VISITORS REQUIRE 33 RUNS. (Pbb United Pekss Association.) AUCKLAND, January 13, One of the keenest cricket struggles ever witnessed in Auckland neared its close today as run bv run the match was fought out keenly. Phe ground during the past few weeks must have been parched, for when the wicket was inspected this morning it was found to be perfectly dry. It subsequently proved to be faster and better than at any time before during the game With the dismissal of Smith at 51 Auckland’s second innings drew rapidly to at close. Neither Simpson nor Scott lasted! long, and when Canterbury commenced their second innings they needed 280 for victory, Auckland’s second venture having realised 237. A bad start was made by Canterbury, the batsmen being over-cautious, _ and with' four of the best men cheaply disposed of Auckland’s prospects were very bright. Then Woods and Brunton, who had been responsible for a good partnership in_ the first innings, again came into the limelight, and after they had improved matters considerably by adding 97 runs another good partnership between Sandman and MTswin gave the visitors hope of victory. _ Innumerable bowling changes were tried in ft vain attempt to break this second partnership, until Anthony dismissed MTSwin leg-before-wicfcet. Sandman continued to bat solidly, but Read went cheaply. Findlay, the last man, played a few balls shakily, and then, as Sandman’s knee injuries were again making themselves felt, stumps were drawn for the day, with the visitors still 33 short of victory.

Sandman's action in not playing’ on may have disastrous results. The Canterbury manager and the Auckland captain were both willing to conclude the match tonight to enable the visitors to leave for the south, but now Sandman and Findlay will have to clay themselves in all over again, and this gives Auckland an appreciable advantage. Sandman was well set, Auckland’s score might easily have been passed. Even now Auckland have not got the game “cut and dried,” for in cricket the unexpected has a knack of happening at. most unwelcome moments. The following are the details of the • scores: AUCKLAND. First innings _ _. 416 Second Innings. Anthony, st Brunton, b Sandman ... 56 Fratcr, c Brunton, b Sandman ... _ 83 .Cooper, b Sandman Horspool, b Read ... _ ... 6 Snedden, b Sandman _ ... 4 Smith, o Brunton, b Read ... ._ ... 51 Mills, b Sandman ... _ ... ~ 7 Player, c M’Evvin, b Talbot Hi Gerrard, not out 25 Simpson, st. Brunton, b Sandman _ 6 Scott, h Sandman ™ 0 Extras _ ... 2b Total 257 Bowling Analysis.—Sandman, seven wickets ifor 99 runs; Read, two for 71; Talbot, one for 37; Findlay, none for 22; M'Ewin, none for 28. CANTERBURY. First innings _423 Second Innings. - t Cox, Ibw, b Player 4 Gregory, b Player b Page, run out ... It Talbot, b Scott _. ... „ t Gasson, st Scott, b Cooper 2;. Woods, b Smith 75 Brunton, o Horspool, b Player 45 Sandman, not out ... 34 M’Ewin, Ibw, b Anthony 21Read, b Anthony ... Findlay, not out c Extras ... i Total (for nine wickets) _ ... 241 NEW ZEALAND TEAM. MATCH IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 13. The New Zealand Cricket Council decided to play a match in Christchurch between the New Zealand touring team ant a New Zealand eleven on January 22, 23, and 25. BOYS’ GAMES.

Unusual interest is being taken in the cricket match commencing tomorrow on the Caledonian Ground between th© Canterbury boys’ representation team and Otago boys. Canterbury are the present holders of the shield. Tlie Otago boys have been practising assiduously and are showing fine form. Local enthusiasts consider their chances ol lifting the shield are bright. This will b* the first boys’ representative match to bplayed in Dunedin.

The have been selected to repreoent Otago: —Seniors: Conradi, Constable. Trevathan, Silver, Breen, Turnbull, Ritchie. Maloney (captain), Dey. Windle, Groves. Howland. Juniors: Chettleburgh, Torrance, Cameron, Cameron, Groves, Leader, Mount, Miller, Stokes, Michie. Hardmann. Duckworth. A practise match between these two teams will take place on the Ova! at 3 p.m., and boys unable to play axe requested to notify the selectors.