CRICKET

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 11, 8 March 1930, Page 6

CRICKET

THE PLUNKET SHIELD AUCKLAND BATTING WELL. WEIR'S SPLENDID DISPLAY. AUCKLAND, March 7. After losing two wickets for eight runs in the deciding cricket match for the Plunkct Shield, the Auckland eleven, holders of the trophy, made a splendid recovery and wound up the day with 432 runs on for the loss of nine wickets. The day was saved for Auckland by G. L, Weir, who by the soundest of defence, set out to wear tiic Wellington bowling down, which ho u. i to such purpose that the later batsmen took heavy toll of the tired trundlers. Weir went on to compile a solid score of 140. With the exception of Mills and Anthony all the northern batsmen con. tributod useful scores and the two colts, McCoy and Matheson, put the seal on a really good batting display by adding exactly one hundred runs for the ninth wicket.

The Wellington bowling was distinctly good right up to the tea adjournment, but heavy toll was taken of it in the last two hours. The two country representatives, Massey and Gallichan, carried off the honours and both got through the day's hard work with distinct credit

The wicket was firm and the outfield provided fast travelling. Bright sunshine prevailed throughout the day. Auckland won the toss and batted. Description of the Play. Mills and Anthony opened Auckland's innings at 11.5 a.m. McGirr started bowling from the Newton end and with the fifth ball of the over clean bowled Mills with a slow swinger. G. L. Weir, who did so well in the fourth test at Auckland, followed. Rollings took up the attack at the other end, but after sending down one over was replaced by Massey. The day was going disastrously for Auckland, as with 8 runs on the slate, the result of five overs, Anthony popped one from Massey into Cameron's hamb close in at square leg. McGirr had taken one for none and Massey one for two.

Gillespie came out to stop the rot end a period of slow play saw 14 come up for 25 minutes' play. Henderson tore took the ball from McGill whose five overs had resulted in one • wicket, [for three runs. Half an hour saw 20 [up. Both men sparkled up and doubled Me score with confident strokes. Masf sey gave way' to Galiichan. With tha ! total at 54 Gillespie, who had scored 26, i was bOw.6'3 by Galiichan with one that ittad.o pace off the pitch. VVenslcy, the Sussex professional, ! followed, and the total was taken to 04. The Auckland coach reached 2(5 in 22 minutes and then hit one from Galiichan into Lowry's hands a't mid-oft. Allcott, the Auckland captain, joined Weir, who was 31, and brought the , hundred up after 100 minutes' play by slamming one from Galiichan to the sight screen. The luncheon adjournment was taken with the score standing at 122 for the los? of four wickets, Weir being 44 and Allcott 10. On resuming Maszey and M.Ynrr took up the attack. Weir reached his »>alf-ccntury with a powerful off drive, oft' McGirr which wont through both Cameron and Boss. At 150, which had taken .145 minutes, Galiichan took the ball from Massey. At 158 Henderson relieved McGirr, wh 0 had bowled fourteen overs for 20 runs and _ a wicket. The Auckland captain twice got Henderson away to square leg for four, reaih'ng the forties. This was the end of him, however, as Galhchaii beat aim badly with one winch whipped back at pace from the oft. Elliott partnered Weir, who was G;>, and McLeod had a try in place of Hendersom Weir reached 70 by stepping out and hitting McLeod to tho long-on boundary. At 190 Koss came on m Galiichan's place The Manawatu lefthander had bowled remarkably well Elliott, brought 200 up for 195 minutes play by snicking Holhngs through the slins for four. Massey relieved Bom and McGirr took the ball from HoiUDgS " Weir Beaches Century. Buns were now coming fast. la Mnssey's next over Weir swung one fotheVe at square leg, reachxngtke nineties. Another foul to McGirr made Weir 9.9, «{ ft his century with a single to mid on £ the next ball. He had been at the wic kets for 190 minutss. The Aucklanders were now aggr«a .iveMaSsev came on at the southern end and at once had Elliott caught in the slips. He had helped Weir to put on 08 for the sixth wtfket. Eadeley, the Waikato rj^JJ*™' was too hot to hold. . -. "The score stood at 204 for si? wickets at the tea adjournment, Wcu uc ino- 122 and Badeley 4. in B x--. noUioTinri find McLcOQ On resuming, Gallicnan aim took up the bowling. At 293 Massey > l r. U K ~, iT anA rnt.„ Da j r went on relieved McLieod. me pan steadily and 300 appeared after -Ot minutes' play . Departure of Weir. At 4 30 Weir's long innings of 251 minutes came to an end. With his score at 140 he was cleverly taken on the loir side by James behind the wickets, off Massey. His sound defence had redeemed the Auckland innings. He «l«l not give a solitary chance during Ins long stay at the crease. McCoy arrived to sec Badeley bang one from Galiichan to the pickets at square leg. .The bloom had now been taken off" the bowling and runs were coming fast. After reaching 32 Badeley returned one to Ross. 'Matheson came next. The two Aug* land colts carried on in resolute fashion and soon ran the score to 370. _ The •bowlers were getting tired, Galiichan starting upon his fortieth over. At 5.30, to relieve his trundlers, Lowry i took the ball himself, but 10 camo from

the first two overs lie sent down. The 400 was hoisted for 0'25 minutes' play. The colts went on serenely, not only playing the tired bowlers with confidence, but punishing them freely. Matheson appeared to be content with hi,s score as lie returned one to Massey.

Hunt, the last man, joined McCoy, wiio was 07, and the pair played out the, remainder of the few minutes until stumps were drawn, when the score stood at 432 for the loss of nine wickctc. McCoy had been at the wickets for ninety minutes for his 08 not out, which included seven boundary strokes. (Scores are as follow:—Auckland. First Innings. J. E. Mills, b McGirr ..• 0 A. Anthony, c Cameron, b Massey 5 G. L. Weir, e James, b Massey .. 140 O. W. F, Allcott, b Gallicnan .. 41 \V. L. Elliott, c Hollings, b Massey -J 11. D. Gillespie, b Gallichan .... 20 L. A. B. Badeley, c a:id b Boss .. '<>-; A. WcTisley, c Lowry, b Gallichan 20 A. W. McCoy, not out .. OS A. M. Matheson, e and >., Massey 47 H. Hunt, not, out 0 Extras 17 Total, nine wickets for .. 432 Fall of wickets: One for "; two for S: three for ;">4; four for 93; five for 170; six for 238; seven for 301; eight for 331; nine for 431. Bowling: McGirr took one for 37; Hollings, none for 25; Massey, four for 80; Henderson, none for 55; Gallichan, three for 101; McLood, none for 55; I Boss, one for 50; Lowry,' none for 23.