AUCKLAND’S FINE RECOVERY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18761, 27 December 1930, Page 17

AUCKLAND’S FINE RECOVERY.

Canterbury Outplayed.

PROMISING FORM REVEALED. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, December 26. By dismissing a strong Auckland side for the meagre total of 164 yesterday, Canterbury had set the stage for a big first innings lead, but the setting went wrong to-day, and the Aucklanders gave a very fine display of out cricket, with result that theii deficit on the first innings was only 05 After all, even this total Canterbury were decidedly lucky to get, foi although the northerners gave a fine display of fielding, some of their catches were dropped, which proved exceedingly costly.

Canterbury'© Patchy Batting. When the northerners went in the second time, they further improved the early recovery, by making 180 for the loss of only two wickets. There was thus no exercise for Canterbury’s poor total. They were supposed to be exceptionally strong in batting, but it must be admitted that several men who were expected to make scores, not only failed to make runs, but never looked like making them. The bowling was right on top, and at no period of the innings did a big total appear likely.

Hamilton played the soundest cricket on the side, and he put on runs at good rate and by beautiful scoring shots. Kerr (the West Christchurch crack) played much more restricted cricket, than on the previous day. His defence was very sound, but he paid the penalty—after leaving the fast off stuff alone for some time—of having a crack at one. In top-scor-ing. Jacobs must be adjudged very lucky. When his score stood at nine he was twice missed in the slips, and neither was a difficult catch as slip catches go. After this, however, he played attractive cricket, his scoring strokes being well timed, and well executed. Next to Hamilton, Lester showed more batting confidence than anyone on the side. He played the bowling very correctly, and for the most part his scoring strokes were distinctly good. Auckland’s Fine Attack. How' far Canterbury’s weak batting was attributable to the good bowling, it is difficult to say, for sometimes weak and timid batting makes bowling look much better than it really is. Certainly the Auckland attack looked first class. Wensley (professional) kept an immaculate length, and was always on the wicket, and varied his deliveries so cleverly, that he had most of the batsmen completely tied up. Cleverley filled the roll of fast bowler very capably. Far more so than did Matheson. He had a lot of pace, but kept an excellent length, and was never easy to score off. The Auckland fielding was first class throughout. Bright Batting. Auckland's second innings showed lip the mediocrity of Canterbury’s fowling, but it must be admitted that the Northerners batting was of a high class. In Mills, Weir and Vivian, they have three batsmen, who should be a certainty for the English trip. Mills played the soundest cricket imaginable for 66. His batting against Merritt's slows was an object lesson, for he played the good length balls with absolute confidence, and with fine footwork, made many of them the occasion for scoring snots. Weir was equally sound, and gave an exhibition of correct batting, that reminded one of Dempster. Much the same may be said of Vivian, his batting in every particular having fully justified the high praise given him by the Auckland critics. Canterbury’s bowling in Auckland’s second innings wilted under the fine batting of the Aucklanders, and towards the end of the day it was very frayed. Following are the scores:—

Total 229 .. Bowling.—A. M. Matheson, one for 55; A. F. Wensley, five for 86; D Cleverley, four for 58; C. F. W. Allcott none for 3.

AUCKLAND. First innings 164 Second Innings. A. Postles, c Dorreen, b Lester 13 J. E. Mills, b Cromb 68 O. L. Weir, not out . 44 H. G. Vivian, not out ... 45 Extras Total for two wickets 180 CANTERBURY. First Innings. J. L. Kerr, c McCoy, b Cleverlev 29 J. M. Hamilton, b Wensley ... A. W. Roberts, b Cleverley 17 J. Jacobs, c and b Matheson 52 R- O. Talbot, c Weir, b Wensley 1 X. B. Cromb, lbw„ b Wensley M. L. Page, c Gillespie, b Cleverlev J2 S. G. Lester, std. Hunt, b Wenslev 35 W. E. Merritt, b Wensley N. Dorreen, c Weir, b Cleverley 4 J. T. Burrows, not out . » Extras