Batsmen Open Slowly In Plunket Cricket

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 13

Batsmen Open Slowly In Plunket Cricket

WELLINGTON V. OTAGO BADCOCK IN GOOD FORM Press Association DUNEDIN, Friday. The Plunket Shield game between Otago and Wellington was begun on the Cai'isbrook ground today. The visitors batted first and when stumps were drawn the score was -S3 runs for nine wickets. Light rain fell during the greater part of the day, with a heavy fall in the afternoon, which caused an adjournment for an hour and a-lialf. Alloo lost the toss, and Lowry, the Wellington captain, elected to bat. The wicket -was easy and conditions of play fairly good. McGirr played a line innings for 73, but he should have been disposed of when he was 35. Tie was sound and correct and sometimes showed flashes of forceful play that were a delight to watch. The best display of the day was that of Badcock, who compiled 63 in 73 minutes. He scored all round the wicket and his timing was perfect. The best bowler of the day was Lomin, who proved a tower of strength to the home side, taking four wickets for 61 runs. Baker and Foley opened for Wellington, Baker facing Dunning, whose fourth ball was snicked into Tonight’s hands in the slips for an easy catch. 4—l —4. llolliiigs was the next man in and the score crept up to 30 after 40 minutes’ play. Maiden overs were frequent. Hollings pulled a ball to leg, but slipped and dislodged the bail. The umpire gave him out as a result of an appeal, but after some conversation between the umpire and players the batsman was allowed to remain. He had knocked the bail off after completion of the stroke. Foley fell to the slow bowler Moloney a few minutes later, being bowled after he had been at the wickets for SO minutes for 15 runs. Lowry joined Hollings and Lemin replaced Moloney. His first ball was played on to the wicket off the pad by Hollings, who had batted 90 minutes for 46 —an impressive innings. Three wickets were down for 76. LEMIN BOWLS WELL Light rain began to fall and sawdust was needed by the bowlers. Just as the century appeared on the board Lowry put his leg in front of a ball from Lemin and was given out, lbw. 100—4—17. Lemin had taken two wickets for 17. When the adjournment was taken Cameron, who followed Hollings, was 13. McGirr joined Cameron and hit three boundaries in his first over. The first ball of Lemin’s next over took the fifth wicket, Cameron playing the ball into the slips, where Limes took a good catch. 123 —5 —17. At about 2.15 p.m. a further adjournment was taken on account of rain, play being held up until 3.45. Ward, who had replaced Cameron, scored only six, and Lemin's tally was four wickets for 35 runs.

Lamason partnered McGirr, who was shaping exceedingly well. McGirr was 35 when he played Lemin into the slips.- Knight got his hand on to the ball, but could not hold it. Both batsmen appeared to be well set when Dunning bowled Lamason with a fine ball. 176 —7 —14. Badcock was applauded when lie went to the wickets, and quickly reached double figures. McGirr was 62 when lie pulled a ball hard round to square leg, where Groves missed a hard catch. Both batsmen were now giving a good display of steady cricket. McGirr’s fine : nnings came to an end when Badcock played a ball from Alloo to McMillan. McGirr ran, but Badcock sent him back, and McMullan’s shot hit the wickets before McGirr could get right back. 235 8—73. Newman joined Badcock, who reached his half-century after 65 minutes’ batting by pulling Elmes to the fence. A little later he lifted Dunning to the off. where Moloney took a fine catch. 276—9—62. Henderson, the last man in, played out time. Cavanagh missed a good chance to dispose of Newman off the last ball of the day. When stumps were drawn the score was 283 for nine wickets.

TEAM FOR ENGLAND CRITICS OF AUSTRALIANS LONDON, Thursday. Colonel Trevor, writing in the ’Daily Telegraph” of the Australian cricket test team for England, says: "There is every reason to believe that the six best batsmen in the team rank as the best run-getters Australia has ever produced. The bowling, however, is not deadly. I shall be surprised if Grimmett does not do as well as anyone.” The “Daily Chronicle” says it regards Woodfull as a good choice for captain. “The Times” says the team is a wonderfully strong batting side, efficient in fielding, and somewhat doubtful in bowling. There is nothing to suggest invincibility, or cause extra heart beats among the Englishmen. A Sydney message says the newspapers all over the country are still asking why Ryder wais omitted from the Australian cricket team. At the same time they applaud the appointment of Woodfull as captain. Ryder, in an interview at Brisbane, said he would not comment on his exclusion. He simply vrished the team good luck on the tour. He would not confirm or deny that he had received an offer from an English newspaper to write comments on the games in England. A STRONG SIDE Auckland will have a severe test of its strength at cricket when it commences its match with A. H. Gilligan's English XI. at Eden Park on Friday next. The hopes of Aucklanders will be raised by the news that the strongest side is now available, and should put up a creditable performance against the visitors. AHcott and McCcy, who were unable to play in the Plunket Shield matches, are now included and Fin.ayson’s return tc form fully justifies his selection. With Wensley, AJlcott, Matheson and Finlayson as principal bowlers, and Weir, Anthony and Elliott as useful change men, the attack possesses plenty of variety and resource to keep the brilliant Englishmen from taking liberties or digging in for keeps. As wicketkeeper Rowntree is still without a peer in the Dominion, and the fielding capacity of the Aucklander.‘* is sound without being brilliant, although both Gillespie and Allcott are fully up to test cricket standard in the field.

In batting Auckland is strong on form, and the medium-fast to fast stuff of the English quartet—Xichols Allom, Worthington and Barratt should hold no terrors for them, even though the local batsmen have not much experience of the high-flier type of tearaway bowler. Bowley’s wiles are well known to the Aucklanders, but Woolley may have them guessing with his innocent looking lobs. With an easy v/icket everything points to a no-decision game in the three days’ match, but on form Auckland should be able to hold its own and. perhaps, effect a surprise if the wicket proves suitable to the local bowlers.