THE PLUNKET SHIELD

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 51

THE PLUNKET SHIELD

AUCKLAND WINS BY THREE WICKETS. AUCKLAND, January 25. One of the most exciting matches that has ever been played in Auckland was concluded to-day when Auckland defeated Wellington by three wickets, and thus won the Plunket Shield, which it lost to Canterbury in the 1921-22 season. Canterbury and Auckland have now won the shield seven times each. There were about 2000 spectators to see the end of the match, which has aroused great public interest. The wicket was bad, and the ball kept very low, but after 40 minutes’ play, crammed full’ of excitement for both players and spectators, ■» Bowley banged a ball to the rails for four, purtin<r Auckland ahead and making his own score 95. Auckland hud three wickets in hand at the conclusion. of the match. . . Excitement was intense as Anthony opened to Badcock and clicked the first three balls. The fieldsmen were waiting with hands outstretched, keyed up to concert pitch. The fourth ball Anthony drove through covers for three, and the crowd roared. Further applause came when Bowlev forced one round to leg for three, and only 27 were needed for victory. 4V ith every ba.ll that was bowled the excitement of the crowd increased, and another roar went up when in the next over from Henderson a ball shot through past James for three byes. Then both batsmen forced Badcock past Lowry at short leg for singles. The score mounted steadily. Anthony played some good shots behind the wicket, while Bowley flashed out with his forcing back shot. Brilliant fielding stopped several good shot until Bowley, playing back to Henderson, scored off two successive balls. Both batsmen were playing with amazing coolness —Bowley as it he were just opening an innings and there were nine wickets to follow his. Another ball passed James, going to the boundary four four byes, and then Bowley, with his beautiful leg shot, sent Henderson away for two. The pair had put on 20 runs m as many minutes. Wellingtons fighting chance appeared to be slip- mg, and in an endeavour to snatch the game out ot the fire, Brice come on to bowl in place of Henderson. His. length was erratic, and the batsmen got singles through to cover

both turned him to leg, Anthony for a single and Bowley tor two, while the crowd roared its applause. Bowley repeated the shot for a single, and on y five runs were needed. Then came Auc -- land’s first disaster of the day. A ball from Brice' kept low, struck Anthonj s pads, and went on to his wicket, terminating a solid innings. The pent-up excitement of the spectators was let loose, and they applauded Anthony for his fighting effort, and then Player stepped from the pavilion. Anthony had been bowled 'by the last ball of an over, and Bowley faced Badcock. There 'ollowed a pregnant over. Realising that Bowley was set, and that Player had yet to play himself in, Badcock exerted every ounce of nerve and energy to prevent the coach trom scoring. He sent down an exciting maiden, Bowley watching the ball carefully on the off, but refusing to be caught in any trap. Then Player faced Brice and the crowd wondered if he could stay there. The North Shore player was equal to the occasion, and played out a maiden with the assurance of a champion. Bowley broke the monotony by getting Badcock to leg for a single, and getting two early in 'Brice’s next over it was in this that the end came. The third ball was overpitched, and Bowley made no mistake with it. Getting right over the ball, and using every bit of his strength, he played it hard past point. While the fieldsmen were watching it lie tucked his bat under his arm and ran oft. He knew it was a boundary, and that it had won Auckland the great match. Following are the scores: — WELLINGTON.

First innings 1“* Second innings •• 323 AUCKLAND. First innings 307 Second Innings. Bowley, not out 95 Mills, c James, b Brice ........ 27 Snedden, c James, b Lambert .... 7 Cooper, c and b Lambert 12 Gillespie, lbw, b Badcock 13 Dacre,. b Henderson 6 Alcott, b Badcock 6 Anthony, b Brice .. .. 13 Player; not out .. .. 0 Extras .. 23 Total for seven wickets .. .. 201

Bowling Analysis.—Lambert, 4 overs, 2 wickets, 18 runs; Brice, 12.3 overs, 3 maidens, 2 wickets, 33 runs; Badcock, 19 overs, 4 maidens, 2 wickets, 36 runs; Henderson, 18 overs, 3 maidens, 1 wicket, 59 runs; Hiddleston, 1 over, 7 runs; M'Girr, 7 overs, 2 maidens, 25 runs. PLUNKET SHIELD HOLDERS. The following is the list of winners of the Plunket Shield since the contest began in 1906:— 1906- —Canterbury 1918-19 —Wellington 1907- —Auckland and Canterbury 1908- —Auckland 1919-20—Auckland 1909- —Auckland 1920-21—Wellington 1910- —Canterbury 1921-22 —Auckland 1911- —Auckland 1922-23 —Canterbury 1912- —Canterbury 1923-24—W ellington 1913- Canterbury 1924-25—Otago 1914- —Canterbury 1925-26—Wellington 1916-18 —No matches 1926-27—Auckland played. DISAPPOINTED SPECTATORS. AUCKLAND, January 25. There was no Plunket Shield to hand to Auckland to-day. Some 2000 spectators gathered to see the customary handing over of the trophy after the match, but Wellington did- not bring it north. It will now have to be sent by post. WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND AVERAGES. WELLINGTON, January 26. In view of the selection of the New Zealand team for England the Wellington and Auckland averages in the Plunket Shield matches played this season make interesting reading. They are as follow:

WELLINGTON’S FELICITATIONS. WELLINGTON, January ’ 26. The Wellington Cricket Association has telegraphed the Auckland Association congratulating the northerners on their brilliant win in the Plunket Shield match. CANTERBURY v. OTAGO. CHRISTCHURCH, January 27. The Canterbury cricket team to play Otago will bep—Talbot, Merrett, Page, Boon, Oliver, Crawford, Hamilton, Cox, Evans, Cunningham, Nixon, Read. The following players are requested to attend practice on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings each week at the Carisbrook Ground in view of the Otago v. Canterbury and Otago v.. Melbourne Cricket Club matches:— Blamires, Shepherd, Duncan, Blair, Vorrath (Albion); Torrance, Cherry, Strang, M'Gregor (Dunedin); Blunt, Dickinson, Douglas, Gourley, Green (Carisbrook); Knight, Alloo, M’Mullan, Conradi, Elmcs (Grange)

TOUR OF ENGLAND. POSTPONEMENT OF SELECTION. CHRISTCHURCH, January 24. The Selection Committee of the New Zealand cricket team to tour England has telegraphed to the Management Committee of the New Zealai I Cricket Council asking that the selection of the first eight men to tour be postponed instead of being made after the present Auckland-Welling-ton Plunket Shield match. The Management Committee has telegraphed the following reply:—“The committee accedes to your request to delay the selection of the first eight. As the Wellington match against the Melbourne Cricket Club does not take place until February 25 we do not 'ihink that you can delay the final selection later than the Auckland-Mel-bourne match (February 7). This also gives you the Canterbury-Otago match. Wire selectors’ opinion.”

COACHING BY BOWLEY. AUCKLAND, January 25. The question of re-engaging E. H. Bowley, the Sussex professional cricketer, for a further term as coach for the Auckland players was briefly touched upon at a meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association. The matter was deferred for further consideration at next week’- meeting. Satisfaction was expressed at the work Bowley has done since arriving in Auckland in November. It was stated that Bowley would have to be in England early in May in order to play in the county matches, and hi# tentative plan was to leave by the Tainui on March 9. . *

A suggestion was made, however, that arrangements might be made whereby Bowley could travel with the New Zealand team to England. It is understood the t-am will leave by the Tahiti on March 29, and Bowley, it is stated, had expressed his willingness to do all he could in the way of coaching on board if his services were required. The suggestion was favourably received by the members, and Mr N. C. Snedden was deputed to write to Mr D.. Reese, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, with a view to arrangements being made to utilise Bowley’s services with the New Zealand team on the voyage. It was also decided to recognise in a tangible form Bowley’s fine performance in the Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Wellington. HAWKE CUP MATCH. CHRISTCHURCH, January 27. The next Hawke Cup match has been fixed for February 4 and 5 between Taranaki and Poverty Bay. Taranaki has expressed the wish that this be the last match it be called upon to play this season. THE M.C.C. TEAM IN INDIA. DELHI, January 24. The Marylebone team, playing the Madras Presidency, scored 361 runs. Parsons made 62. completing his 1000 runs for the tour. He is the third player to -do so. January 26. Marylebone won the third match against Madras Presidency, scoring 361 in the first innings and 233 for seven wickets in the second (Sandham 82). Madras Presidency scored 256 in the first innings and 127 in the second. Tate took four wickets for 22.

VICTORIA DEFEATS TASMANIA. •! MELBOURNE, January 27. The match between Victoria and Tasmania ended in a victory for Victoria by an innings and 78 runs, Tasmania scoring 252 and 222 in successive strikes. PONSFORD REMAINS IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, January 26. Ponsford has accepted a position as a member of the commercial staff and cricket writer on the Melbourne Herald, and has refused the offer to return to England to play for Lancashire. BAN ON PONSFORD RAISED. MELBOURNE, January 28. The Victorian Cricket Association has lifted the ban on Ponsford, and has granted him permission to play for his z club in competition matches. NEW SOUTH WALES DEFEATS VICTORIA. SYDNEY, January 28. The Sheffield Shield match resulted in a win for- New South Wales by an innings and 253 runs. Victoria in the first innings was dismissed for 35 runs. Davie (10 not out) was the only batsman to. roach double figures. M'Namee took seven wickets for 21 runs, and Macartney three for 10. Following on, Victoria made 181 (Hendry 28, Baring 35, Liddicutt 55). Macartney took two for 14, M'Namce three for 41, Everett two foi?' 45, and Fox two for 17. ■Victoria resumed its first innings this - morning on a tricky wicket, and the bats- • men were hopelessly at sea against Macartney and M'Namee. The latter s figures for the morning were six for 10. Both bowled superbly, taking full advantage of tbeir opportunities. Victoria's second strike was more lively. Hendry, Baring, and Liddicutt I indulged in some hard hitting.

PLAYERS ON TOUR. MELBOURNE, January 28. The Board of Cricket Control has decided in future to make every touring player sign a contract that lie will not return to play with an English team within two years. SATURDAY’S MATCHES. The First Grade cricket matches were continued on Saturday in fine weather. A weakened Grange team caused a surprise by defeating Carisbrook, Knight scoring. 88, Elmcs 52 and Rush 43. Albion easily beat Dunedin. Blamires played a fine innings for 95, and Caskie (66 not out), Blair (59) and Binney (52) also batted well.. In the Third Grade match between_ Carisbrook and Grange, Groves, a Carisbrook player, scored 121 not out. R. Silver, a Third Grade Albion player, made. 106 not cut against Old Boys. This is his second century in three consecutive innings. CARISBROOK v. GRANGE.

The match between Carisbrook and Grange which was commenced the previous Saturday was continued on Saturday. Scores: —- GRANGE. ! First Innings. Knight, lbw, b Dickinson .. 88 Stiglich, b Dickinson 0 Conradi, b Blunt ... •. JJ Chadwick, c Austin, b Blunt .. .. 1” Walker, c Lynch, b Blunt 0 Rush, lbw, b Dickinson 48 Elmos, b Blunt .. •. 52 Brown, b Blunt .. 5 Hanau, b Dickinson 15 Titchener, st Esquilant, b Douglas .. 10 Paul, not out .. 0 Extras 40 Total 275 Bowling Analysis.—Dickinson, 163 balls, two maidens, 94 runs, four wickets; Blunt, 152 balls, two maidens, 100 runs, five wickets; M'Gavin, 32 balls, 27 runs, no wickets; Douglas, 39 balls, 14 runs, one wicket. CARISBROOK. First innings 254 Second Innings. Gourley, run out 39 Holden, b Elmes ... 8 Lynch, b Knight 33 Blunt, c Knight, b Elmes .. • •. • • 27 Dickinson, c Titchener, b Conradi .. 41 Douglas, not out 24 Esquilant, not out 3 Extras • • IS Total (for five wickets) .. 190.

Bowling Analysis.—Elmes, 88 balls, 55 runs, two wickets; Conradi, 80 balls, 56 runs, one wicket; Walker, 16 balls, 14 runs; Rush, 32 balls, 15 runs; Knight, 4’o balls, 35 runs, one wicket. ALBION v. DUNEDIN. The match between Albion and Dunedin, which was concluded on the Oval on Saturday, resulted in a two-point win for the former team. Scores: — DUNEDIN. First innings 206 ALBION. First Innings. Binney, c Anderson, b M'Gregor .. 52 Blair, b Torrance 59 Duncan, lbw, b Torrance 0 Barron, c N. Gherry, b Torrance ..' 0 Blamires, lbw, b Cavanagh 95 Caskie, not out 66 Vorrath, c Torrance, b Cavanagh .. 32 Extras 9 Total (for six wickets) .. 313 Bowling Analysis.—Torrance, 240 balls, 11 maidens, 59 runs, three wickets; M'Gregor, 176 balls, four maidens, 73 runs, one wicket; King. 64 balls, 43 runs; Ander.son, 48 balls 33 runs; N. Cherry, 16 balls, 23 runs; Cavanagh, 48 balls, 44 runs, two wickets; Symonds, 40 balls, 20 runs. AUCKLAND MATCHES. AUCKLAND, January 30. The all-day cricket matches yesterday -resulted as follows:— Grafton 242 (Alcott 74, Horspool 31) beat University 186 (Ralfe 69, Wells 51). Bowling for University, Barnes took five for 27; and for Grafton, Alcott five for 63. North Shore 193 (Monteith 43, Player 42) beat Y.M.C.A. 109 (Otter 29, Bowley 16). Bowling for Y.M.C.A., Bowley took . five for 69; and for North Shore, Coates six for 51. Ponsonby (playing three men short) 309 (Taylor 149, M'Leod 51) beat North Shore B (playing two men short) 283 (Webb 99). Bowling for Ponsonby, Snedden took six for 100, and for North Shore B, Monk four for 63. Parnell 230 (Anthony 93) drew with : Eden 177 for eight (Mills 41). Bowling ' for Eden, A. Weir-took five for 32, and • for Parnell, Anthony four for 53.

WELLINGTON GAMES. _ r WELLINGTON, January 30. - , ,V-AkC.A., 24A and 119 for eight wickets (declared), beat Wellington, 177 (Airey 87) and 50 for one wicket. • Institute, 296, beat Kilburnie, 134 and 406 for five wickets declared, (Badcock 101 and Christopherson 153). Midland, 384 (Turvey 96. D. Patrick 69, Donoghue 50). beat Petone. For Petone, Finlayson took 6 for 87 Hutt, 292, beat Old Boys, 103. All the . above were three-point wins. In inior cricket B. R. Keenan scored . 224 for Karori, and Hanna, for Wellington, took eight for 89. Karori won by an innings and 269 runs. CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, January 29. The last series of the first round of the ' senior cricket matches was commenced today in dull weather on dry wickets. Old Boys, playing Linwood, scored 234 (Nixon 59, Armstrong 47, Kenned- 48). : Bowling for Linwood, Read took two . wickets for 81, Kennedy two for 36, Orchard four for 17, Yates two for 50. Linwood have five down for 170 (Boon 75 and Condli’Te 54). •* West Christchurch won the toss from - Oljd Collegians and scored 419 (Booth 67, Hayes 61, Cocks 60, Findlay 74 T. Cond- - Jiffe 65, Blank 31). St. Albans were all disposed of by East Christchurch for 134 (Sandman 69 and Green 27). Bowling for East Christchurch M'Ewen took two for 55, Gregory .ie for 21, Hood two for 22. East Christchurch lost seven wickets for 122 (Brown, not out, - 51 >’ Sydenham failed facing the Riccarton . attack and were all out for 178 (Oliver 42, Patrick 44). Bowling for Riccarton Powell ‘ took four wickets for 46, Rix three for 43, Evans two for 34. Riccarton scored 176 for the loss of six wickets (Roberts, not out, 74, Powell 39).

MELBOURNE CLUB v. AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. January 30. The following players have been chosen , to represent Auckland against the Melbourne Club cricket team on Friday. Saturday, and Monday next: —C. F. W*. Alcott, A. Anthony, E. 11. Bowley, I. VV. Ct per, C. C. Dacre, R. E. Frater, H. D. Gillespie, A. M. Mathewson. A. S. Player, A. J. Postles, and R. W. Rowntree. The reserves will be V. C. Butler and L. T. J. Monteith. J. Mills was not available, and his place has been taken by Frater, who was twelfth man previously. A. J. Postles replaces N. C. Sneddeq. MATCHES AT INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL, January 29. Saturday’s games were played in very warm weather. Much interest was at- ' tached to the Union-Invercargill game, as this was the first meeting of ..these two teams, and neither had lost a match. ' Union batted first and compiled 152 (Dixon 48, Fogo 24 not out, Hamilton 23, Grant ■=l7). At one stage Union had lost two wickets for 11 runs and later had nine . down for ' 103,' but an admirable lastwicket stand by Grant and Fogo was responsible for putting on another 49 runs. Gbodsir bowled consistently for Invercargill, securing six wickets for 42. Invercargill commenced well,'putting on 72 for the first three wickets. The colts, Lee, Southern, and Francis, with 24, 21, and 19 respectively, being responsible for the good start. The next three wickets, however, fell cheaply, and at the drawing of f stumps Invercargill had 89 on for the loss of six wickets. Fogo for Union took four wickets for 26, Smith one for 13, and Dixon one for 33. In tlie' Marist-Appleby game Marist were . .quickly disposed of for 110 (Craig 27 not out; Brown 15). Shirreffs displayed good form with the ball, and secured five for 40. Poole took three for 28 and Johnstone two for 19. Appleby made a feeble reply, being all out for 85 (Poole 18, : Shirley 16, Groves 15). Nesbit for Marist ~ took five wickets, for 37 runs, and Duthie three for nine. Before time was called ’Marist had put on 25 (Duthie 22 not - *ut) for the loss of one wicket.

BOYS’ MATCHES. OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, January 28. The two matches between the senior and junior teams representin'- the Otago Boys’ Cricket Association and the Canterbury Boy’s Leauge were commenced at Hagley Park to-day on perfect wickets. The weather was ideal, the heat of the sun being temp’-.cd with a cool breeze. SENIOR MATCH. In the senior match Otago won the toss and batted. . The scoring was rather slow, and the running between, the wickets rather patchy at first, many runs being lost. Later this fault was overcome, and the good total of ■ 299 was recorded. Constable batted very solidly for his runs, and Parsons showed good form, his batting being much brighter. Aitken gave a crisp display, but the remainder of the team lacked aggression. The perfect wicket favoured the batsmen, but the Canterbury bowling appeared to lack any real sting. Canterbury opened in a rather poor light, but the batsmen showed fair form, and when stumps were drawn had lost two wickets for 51 runs. January 30. The matches between Otago and Canterbury were continued to-day in fine weather. The wickets were still in firstclass condition, favouring the batsmen rather than the bowlers. In the under 16 match to-day Canterbury carried their total to 178, French being the chief contributor with a very vigorous 57. Ellis also batted attractively for 39, and M'Laughlin’s 31 was very carefully compiled. Parsons’s work in the field was outstanding. The bowlers were not handled too well. Canterbury followed on, and as a whole showed better form, although they were assisted by a weakening in the Otago fielding. At time they had lost six wickets for 208 runs, and the game was drawn. French, who was again top scorer with 58, played a- very forceful innings, but King, who scored 42, showed better strokes. Scores:— OTAGO.—First Innings. Conradi, c and b Ellis 28 Hardman, c French, b King 5 Holden, c and b M'Menamin 22 Russell, c French, b Ellis 3 Constable, c_ Ellis, b. M'Kernan .' 72 Mount, c King, b M'Kernan 28 Parsons, c Barnett, b M'Menamin ... 55 Garden, c Ellis, b Collins .. 2 Aitken, not out ... 38 Edwards, b Ellis 9 Torrance, c Riddle, b Ellis 0 Extras 37 Total 299 Bowling Analysis.— M'Kernan. 2 for 34, Ellis 4 for 37, King 1 for 25. M'Menamin 2 for 54, Riddle none for 21, Grimmer 1 for 7, Barnett none for 18, M'Laughlin none for 18, Collins 1 for 3, Fitzsimmons none for 10, French none for 35. CANTERBURY.—First Innings. Ellis, b Torrance 39 King, b Mouat 20 Riddle, b Garden 7 M'Laughlin, b Garden .. 31 Barnett, e Parsons, b Mount .... 2 Fitzsimmons, b Conradi 5 French, b Conradi .. .. . . 57 M'Kernan, b Constable 1 Collins, lbw, b Garden 4 M'Menamim, c Russell, b Constable .. 1 Grimmer, not out 0 Extras .. .. .. 11 Total .. 'l7B

Bowling Analysis.—Russell, none for 9; Garden, 3 for 38; .Parsons, none for 27; Mouat, 2 for 29;-- Aitken, none for 5; Constable, 2 for 8; Torrance, 1 for 1; Conradi, 2 for 45; Holden, none for 9. Second Innings. Ellis, c Holden, b Garden 6 King, c Holden, b Torrance 42 Riddle, c Aitken, b Holden 'l4 M'Laughlin, c Parsons, b Holden .. 0 Barnett, e Aitken, b Holden 23 French, b Aitken 58 Fitzsimmons, not out .. .’ 28 Grimmer, not out 24 Extras 13 Total for six wickets 208 Bowling Analysis.—Aitken, 1 for 17; Garden, 1 for 21; Constable, none for 12; Conradi, none for 15; Parsons, none for 13; Mouat, none for 7; Torrance, 1 for 26; Holden, 3 for 10; Hardman, none for 14. JUNIOR MATCH. In the junior match play was much brighter, and although Canterbury had two wickets down for one run, the later batsmen did better, the innings totalling 230. Watson and Rimmer both batted attractively for Canterbury, The wickets were well shared amongst the Otago bowlers. Otago lost Leader at 11, but then H. Cameron and Groves became associated in a partnership which added 93 runs. Although Bell batted nicely the innings closed for 190. Canterbury started their second innings i:i a bad light, and at the call of time had lost two wickets for 17. In their second innings Canterbury did not show particularly good batting form, and were all out for 133 runs. Grenfell and Peake batted nicely for Canterbury. , Groves bowled exceedingly well for Otago, keeping a fine length throughout. He bowled 15 overs, including four maidens, and took four wickets for 33 runs. Chettlcburgh was not bowled very much, but he also trundled well, and mixed his break with discretion. Groves was a decided success as captain.

Requiring 169 to win, Otago opened rather cautiously, but after they had lost Bell at 37, Leader and Groves settled down to their work, and although after these two batsmen and H, Cameron had been dismissed the rate of scoring slowed down, steady play enabled Otago topass the Canterbury total with three wickets in hand. Groves’s innings was a very interesting one, and full - of good cricket. His total included nine fours and one six, and he was mainly responsible for the Otago victory. His display very favourably impressed the large number of spectators assembled to witness the games. The style of Bell, Leader, and J. Caffieron also was very attractive.

CANTERBURY.—First Innings. Peake, b Leader 0 Gray, b Manson 1 Watson, 0 Chettleburgh, b Tobin ... 61 Grenfell, o Manson, b Chettleburgh ... 38 M'Rae, c Tobin, b Chettleburgh 1 O’Brien, b Manson ...- 14 Rimmer, c Manson, b Edgar 60 Puddle, c Pine, b Groves 14 Leverett, b Edgar 11 Lee, c and b Groves 8 M'Nish, not out 0 Extras 22 „ ..Total 230 Bowling Analysis.—Leader, one for 41; Manson, two for 39; J. Cameron, none for 8; Cusack, none for 16; Tobin, one for 22; Greves, two for 30; Chettleburgh, two for 30; Edgar, two for 21. OTAGO.—First Innings. Leader, b Leverett 10 H. Cameron, run out 37 Groves, c Leverett, b Gray 48 Chettleburgh, b Gray ... 5 Cusack, run out ... ’... 4 Tobin, b O’Brien 4 Bell, not out 20 Manson, c Grenfell, b O’Brien 1 Cameron, c Peake, b O'Brien 20 Pyne, o Peake, b O’Brien 0 Edgar, c M'Rae, b O’Brien 13 Extras 19 Total 190 Bowling Analysis.—M‘Rae/none for 33; Leverett, one for 15; Rimmer, none for 33; Gray, two for 18; O'Brien, five for 58; M'Nish, none for 14. CANTERBURY. —Second Innings. Second Innings. Gray, run out 9 Peake, c Cusack, b Manson 27 Watson, c Chettleburgh. b Groves ... 0 Grenfell, c 11. Cameron, b Groves .. 30 M'Rae, c Manson b Groves ... 8 Rimmer, lbw, b Chettleburgh 18 O’Brien, b Groves 1 Puddle, c Tobin, b Chettleburgh ... 17 Leverett, b Leader ... 5 Lee, not out 0 M'Nish, st Pyne, b Chettleburgh ... 0 Extras ... .. 13 Total 128 Bowling Analysis.—Edgar none for 45, Groves four for 33. Manson one for 26, Leader one for none, Chettleburgh three for 11. OTAGO. Second Innings. Bell, c Grenfell, b O’Brien 22 Leader, b Puddle ... 27 Groves, run out ... 60 H. Cameron, b Leverett ... v 2 J. Cameron, c O’Brien, b Watson ... 18 Edgar, c Rimmer, b Watson ...’ ... 8 Cusack, c Rimmer, b Watson 7 Chettleburghf not out 8 Tobin; not out 10 Extras ... ; 11 Total (for seven wickets) ... 173 Bowling Analysis.—M'Rae none for 25, Rimmer none for 14, Leverett one for 20, Peake none for 21 O’Brien one for 20, Puddle one for 8, Gray none for 7, Grenfell none for 10. M'Nish none for 1, Watson three fov 28. GRADE MATCHES IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, January 30. Playing for Balmain against Paddington, Berry made 168. For Glebe against St. George Gray made 99 not out. For Gordon against Mosman Sullivan made 97. Bowling for Western Suburbs against Randwick, Parnell took five for 28. TWO CENTURIES IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, January 30. For Fitzroy against Carlton Lansdown made 104, and for Prahran against Melbourne Thomson made 101.

MELBOURNE TEAM’S TOUR. THE ITINERARY ANNOUNCED. CHRISTCHURCH, January 29. The Melbourne cricket team’s itinerary is as follows: — February I.—Arrive at Auckland. February 4,5, and 7. —First match v Auckland, at Auckland. February 8 and 9. —v. 'Waikato, at Hamilton. February 11 and 12.—v. Hawke’s Bay, at Napier. February 15 and 16. —v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. February 18 and 19. —v. Taranaki, at New Plymouth. February 22 and 23.—v. Manawatu, at Palmerston North. February 25, 26, and 28. —v. Wellington, at Wellington. March 1 and 2. —v. South Canterbury, at. Timaru. March 4,5, and 7. —v. Canterbury, at Christchurch. March 9 and 10. —v. Southland, at Invercargill. March 11, 12, and 14.—v. Otago, at Dunedin. March 18, 19, 21, and 22.—First test v. New Zealand, at Christchurch. Marcli 25, 26, and'27.—Second test v. New Zealand, at Wellington. March 29. —New Zealand team departs for England by the Tahiti. March 31. —Melbourne team departs for Sydney. OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the committee of the Otago Cricket Association was held on the evening of January 24. The president (Mr L. Joel) occupied the chair. A vote of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mr Charles Corbett (a well-known Albion senior player, who had represented Otago against Southland on two occasions). Votes of sympathy were also passed with Mr G. G. Austin (whose wife had recently died) and Mr W. Holden (whose father had recently died). It was decided to\ grant sgns towards the cost of sending the two boys’ teams to Christchurch on February 27. TEAM’S EXPENSES. Some discussion took place on the question of paying part of the expenses of a Second Grade Otago team to go to Invercargill to play a Second Grade team. Mr J. J. Clark moved that the association pay 25s a head for the expenses of the trip. ■ Mr A. ResHeaux wanted to know the object of sending a Second Grade team. The Chairman: To improve their play. On the suggestion of Mr F. Binney, it

was decided to alter the motion to read that the association pay the train fare of each member of the team. —This motion was carried. The Chairman: Well, now, what about the team for Oamaru? This team, he said, was to be a senior team. It was suggested that the same terms should apply to the players to go to Oamaru. Mr A. Martin: I think it is a downright shame when we have come to this pass in cricket when we have got to pay men to go away to play a game of cricket. I must enter my protest. It was decided to pay the train fares to Oamaru for a two days’ match on March 23 and 24, provided that a good team was prepared to make the trip. OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. The Secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Association telegraphed that his committee hal agreed on February 4 as the date for the Plunket Shield match with Otago at Dunedin.—Noted. It was decided that the selectors be asked to pick 18 men to go into practice for the match. —Messrs Blamires, Blunt, and Torrance were appointed to have charge of the practices. MELBOURNE TEAM’S VISIT. The New Zealand Cricket Council wrote stating that a three days’ match had been arranged between the Melbourne team and an Otago team. The dates for the match were March 11, 12, and 14. —Noted. The Secretary of the council also advised that two tests had been decided on with the Melbourne team—one at Christchurch and one at Wellington, both at the end of the tour of the visiting team. The Otago Association has to provide a guarantee of £3OO, subject to an arrangement for a refund on the same lines as for pre vious tours. Mr Clark said he understood that the test matches came into the agreement regarding the refund. The Chairman said that the receipts from the test matches went to the council. Mr Clark held that the test matches should bear a certain ratio of the expenses. Mr Clark said he thought they should lodge a protest against not getting a test match in Otago. Members of the New Zealand Council had promised faithfully year after year that a test match would be given to Otago. They had had only one test match in Dunedin ever since the New Zealand Council had been formed, and he thought he was right in saying that up to the time of that test Otago had topped the gate receipts for such matches. It seemed to him that some system should be adopted under which a test match should be played in Dunedin and Wellington in one year, and the next in Christchurch and Auckland. That would be one in the North Island and one in the South Island. It was absolutely unfair to cricketers, and also to the followers of the game, that owing to geographical conditions the claims of Otago and Auckland should be ignored. He thought they would be lacking in their duty if they did not protest strongly against the arrangement, as members of the council had promised them that Otago would get a test match. Every time a test match had come along the bait had been held out that some other time a test would be given to Otago. It was not fair to ignore the claims of Auckland and Otago year after year. The council was going the best way to prevent cricket progressing in New Zealand. The Chairman said he agreed that Otago should have a test match, as had been promised. Still, he had no doubt that the council had considerable-difficulty in the little time at its disposal in arranging its itinerary. As • the letter from the council had stated there were trotting and galloping meetings to be considered, and also the Duke of York’s visit. He had himself felt very dubious about asking for a test match, because it would have to follow shortly after- the match with Otago on March 11, 12, and 14. There would only be two Saturdays to hold a test after these dates. He thought that a test under these circumstances would interfere with the takings from the Otago match. The council might turn round and offer them a test match, and they might lose £5O. Mr Clark: Not a bit of it. The Chairman added that he was quite prepared to support a protest. Otago was not being treated fairly, as these tours were arranged without consulting them at all. If Otago had refused the dates of March 11, 12, and 14, he did not know what would have happened. He did not suppose they could have offered them any other dates.

Mr Clark said that theoretically the chairman’s argument was correct, but in practice it did not work out. The gate receipts at two big football matches were not affected by them being played on consecutive Saturdays. Mr Rowland said he thought the association should take a broader view of the position. The council wanted to save as much money .. as possible in view of the tour of the New Zealand team Home, and by playing the matches on this occasion at Wellington and Christchurch they were saving travelling expenses. Had things been normal he believed that Otago would have got a test match. Mr Clark moved—“ That this association exprossess its great regret that the council has not allotted a test match to Otago, as it had promised that Otago would have a .test match.” It was stated in answer to a question bv Mr Crosby Morris that the promise of a test match in Otago had been an official promise. Mr Martin seconded the motion. There was no doubt that Otago had been promised a test match. Probably, however, there was no possibility now of securing a test match for Otago. Mr J. Robson said if" the council had explained that there were extraordinary circumstances this year there could not have been any objection to Otago being overlooked.—(“Hear, hear.”) The Rev. E. 0 Blamires said no doubt gieat interest was shown in the game in Wellington and Christchurch, and they got the plums, and Auckland and Otago was left very frequently with the remainder. He' thought that the best centres for gates was Auckland, which had got the population. He thought that a wide vision and a long look would show the need for considering the claims of Auckland and also of Otago from time to time. The motion was put and carried, Mr Rowland dissenting.

AUCKLAND v. OTAGO TAKINGS, The Secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson) said that the gross receipts from the AucklandOtago match was £285. The Otago Association received £7l 7s 9d, the Auckland Association £32 19s lOd, the New Zea» land Council £5 9s 10d, and the Otaga Rugby Union £7l 7s 6d. It was stated that some £lOO should be obtained for Otago from the match against Wellington at Wellington. WELLINGTON v. OTAGO. It was decided to send letters of thanks to Mr Alex. Regan and Mr Reg. Newson for courtesies extended to the Ota"-o team which went to Wellington at Christmas time. It was also decided to. write and thank the Wellington Association for the kindness shown to the Otago team.

WELLINGTON. Batting. Igs. J s .0. H.S. Rns. Avge. T. C. Lowry . 4 0 110 257 64.25 K. C. James . 4 2 107* 254 63.50 J. S. Hiddleston 6 0 121 310 51.66 F. T. Badcock . 6 0 155 306 51.00 W. S. Brice .. . 6 1 70 175 35.00 B. J. Kortlang . 6 0 60 201 35.00 R. de R. Worker 6 0 73 186 31.00 A. M. Rollings . 6 1 65 97 19.40 M. Henderson . 4 2 18* 35 17.50 H. M. Lambert . 6 0 49 103 17.16 H. M: M'Girr . 6 0 41 68 11.33 C. S. Dempster . 4 0 13 37 9.25 Bowling. O. R. W. Avge. H. M. Lambert 21 74 5 14.80 M. xienderson 67.5 209 12 17.41 F. T. Badcock 127 300 17 17.64 H. M. M'Girr 105.5 307 13 23.61 58.3 189 7. 27.00 J. S. Hiddleston .. 20 58 2 29.00 A. M. Rollings 17 57 — — AUCKLAND. Batting. Igs. N.O. H.S. Rns. Avge. E. H. Bowley .. 6 1 95* 258 51.60 A. S. Plaver .. 5 3 36 92 46.00 J. E. Mills .. .. 6 0 63 237 39.50 C. C. Dacre .. . . 6 0 109 233 38.83 H. D. Gillespie . . 6 0 54 169 28.16 R. E. Frater . . 4 1 51* 78 26.00 J. W. Cooper . . 6 0 66 154 25.66 C. F. Alcott .. . . 6 0 87 114 19.00 R. W. Rowntree 4 2 12* 29 14.50 A. M. Matheson .. 4 0 20 29 14.50 A. Anthony .. 2 0 13 18 9.00 J. P. Gerrard . . 2 0 11 17 8.50 H. Wilson .. . . 1 0 0 0 —— Bowling. 0. R. W. Avge. A. - S. Plaver 79.4 204 11 18.54 E. H. Bowley 81.7 328 17 19.29 A. M. Matheson 102 303 14 21.64 C. F. Alcott .. 155.1 299 12 24.91 I. W. Cooper 17 76 1 76.00 H. Wilson 20 0 C. C. Dacre .. 10 30 0 N. C. Snedden 13 57 0 —