FIGHT FOR RUNS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19824, 29 December 1938, Page 7

FIGHT FOR RUNS

CANTERBURY BATSMEN PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH CRUMB STRIKES FORM BOWLING MASTERED (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day,. Tense interest lias been manifest in the past days’ play in the Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Canterbury. With five runs behind on the first innings and six wickets down for 117 in the second innings, Canterbury is in a precarious position and is threatened with an outright defeat. A lot depended on how long the not out batsmen, Menzies, 18, and Cromb, eight, could stand up against the strong and varied attack that had proved so devastating late on Tuesday afternoon. In Vivian's first over to-day Menzies had a narrow escape from being run out. The bowler fumbled a fast return from Sneddon at point, and the batsman just scrambled into safety. Matheson was again fielding despite the finger injury he received yesterday.

In Cowie’s first over Cromb was applauded for a slashing shot for four to the long leg boundary. The batsmen plodded on carefully and found Cowie much easier than formerly. His first five overs cost 16 runs, whereas Vivian’s first five overs cost only four. Matheson replaced Cowie, but the runs continued to come steadily. The 150 mark came up in just under four hours’ batting. Cromb Steps Out

Some of the brightest batting of the match followed as Cromb hit fours off both Matheson and Cowie, and capped it with a fast-run four with a great long-on shot. Canterbury’s 'stocks began to rise high and, after the partnership had added 80, Matheson succeeded in dislodging Menzies leg before. Cromb brought 180 up with a beautifullyexecuted on-drive for four off Weir. When the wicketkeeper, Webb, joined Cromb, runs continued to come freely. Cromb was batting at the top of his form, revealing clever judgment in running between the wickets. Two hundred appeared after 282 minutes, the fastest scoring of the match. Just on the luncheon adjournment, Matheson scattered Webb’s stumps. Scores: — AUCKLAND First Innings 259 CANTERBURY First innings .. .. • ■ ■ • 254 Second Innings Hadlee, stp Jackman, b Vivian .. 21 Bellamy, b Cowie 10 Stokes, b Cowie 2 Kerr, b Matheson .. .. .. 22 Donnelly, c Matheson, b Vivian .. 1 Roberts, b Cowie 26 Menzies, ibw, b Matheson ~ . - 33 Cromb, not out .. .. .. 77 Webb, b Matheson 7 Davis, not out .. .. • ■ 2 Extras • ■ 12 Total for eight wickets .. 214