BIG BATTING EFFORT SAVES AUCKLAND IN WALKER SHIELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18043, 31 December 1926, Page 1

BIG BATTING EFFORT SAVES AUCKLAND IN WALKER SHIELD.

BRIGHT PARTNERSHIP RAISES SCORE 120. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 31. A sensational touch was given to the progress of the match between Auckland and Wellington yesterday in the Walker Shield competition by a great batting effort by W. liendy. When the match ended in a draw (rain having prevented further play), he had scored 89 out of Auckland's second innings total of 136 for six wickets. The contribution itself was not exceptional as cricket scores go, but the manner of its making and its effect on the fortunes of the Wellington Cricket League team were. Auckland had been set the task of getting 166 to win, and their defeat meant that Wellington would assuredly become the . holders of the trophy, as earlier in the week the Canterbury players had been defeated by Wellington. liendy came in as second wicket and had the unnerving experience of seeing four colleagues collapse before A. Miller's bowling in two overs. “It is all over bar the shouting,” remarked one Auckland supporter, and he meant it. ► The score then read 10—6- -0. Heady, however, was one of the never-say-die spirit. He was playing a lone hand, but at length a kindred spirit came his way. J. Tinkler filled the breach and the fun started. , Miller had been the great “Panjandrum,” before whose slow twists all bowed low, but liendy revolted. He hit one six. then another, and then, just to show that there was no mistake, he hit 21 off Miller’s twelfth over.! Altogether he hit off various bowlers four sixes and nine fours. It was great fun for Aucklanders, and Tinkler added to their joy by keeping the Wellingtonians running after lesser shots. logether they lifted the score from 16 to 13G, and victory for them seemed very near when rain came. It rained •so heavily that, after waiting until a few miputes to six, stumps were lifted and the match declared a drawn game. The fate of the shield will now depend on the outcome of the Auckland v. Canterbury match, played to-day and Saturday.