BATSMEN MAKE POOR SHOWING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18646, 27 December 1928, Page 5

BATSMEN MAKE POOR SHOWING.

CANTERBURY FOLLOWON IN PLUNKET SHIELD.

The second day of play in the Plunket Shield cricket match between Canterbury and Auckland at Lancaster Park has left Canterbury in a bad position, and they may have difficulty to avoid an innings defeat. The match was begun on Christmas Day. when Auckland made 264 for five wicket' Yesterday they increased their first innings total to 330, and Canterbury made the poor score of 153. This left the visitors with a first innings lead of 177, and, following on, Canterbury, in their second innings, had lost two wickets for 12 runs at stumps, which were drawn ten minutes before tit ».e on account of failing light. When play was resiimed at It am. yesterday, the weather was dull and threatening, and there w r as only a small attendance of spectators. It increased considerably after lunch. The weather also improved after the luncheon adjournment, and the sun shone out. Later heavy clouds again obscured the sky, but no rain fell.

In spite of the rain which had fallen overnight, the wicket yesterday was fairly hard and appeared to be in favour of the batsmen. The remaining Auckland men, however, did not make a very impressive showing. Gillespie added only 10 to his overnight score of 65, and his batting was not so impressive as on the first day. Whitelaw, the other not out, batsman increased his score from 21 to 2S. Of the remainder of the team, E. Horspool (30) was the only one to reach double figures. His, however, was a slow and careful knock. Cunningham, who failed to take a wicket on Tuesday, was easily the most successful bowler for Canterbury yesterday, capturing four of the five wickets that fell. He took three in his last two overs, and finished up with an average of four for 48. The Canterbury innings opened poorly. There were only 20 runs on the board when the second wicket fell. Brosnahan and Page made a fair stand for the third wicket, which fell at 63, an addition of 43 runs. After this, however, the best stand was for the sixth wicket, for which Newman and Merritt put on 27. Page, who made 44, -was top scorer for Canterbury. He batted well and showed more enterprise than most bf the other batsmen. Newman, who made 31, played correct, but not enterprising, cricket. He did not attack the bowling with any degree of vigour, except in the final stages of his innings, but, if he had done so earlier, especially -when he was partnered by Page Canterbury might have made a better showing. Merritt, who made 19, batted vigorously. The first ball be received from Bowley he hit for a six, the first and, so far, the only one of the match. The crowd applauded with great delight. E. Brosnahan played a slow' knock for 14, and Craw'ford made 10. The other Canterbury batsmen did not reach double figures. Dunning bowled well for Auckland, taking five wickets for 44 runs. Bowley also did well, his four wdekets costing only 38 runs. His slow deliveries, full of guile, troubled several of the Canterbury batsmen. Although he did not take any wickets, Allcott, the Auckland captain, was remarkably successful in keeping down the runs. Off his twenty-one overs, Canterbury scored only the same number of runs. Ten of his overs were maidens. The Auckland fielding was good and keen. No chances were missed, and the ground fielding was accurate. Canterbury made, in their second innings, an even worse beginning than they did in their first. The innings began at 5.30 p.m. in rather poor light, and, w'hen stumps were drawn twenty minutes later, they had lost two wickets for 12 runs. Weir took both for 9 runs. The match will be continued at 11 a.m. to-day. On Tuesday Auckland in their first innings made 264 for five wickets. The innings was continued yesterday by Gillespie (65) and Whitelaw' (21). Cun-

ningham took the first over, bowling from the north end to Whitelaw. Cunningham had a single knocked off his first over. Newman bowled from the south end. Whitelaw scored a four and a single off Newman and this brought 270 up. Cunningham’s second over was a maiden to Whitelaw. The grass was still wet and sawdust was called for in Newman’s second over. WHITELAW BOWLED. Cunningham secured his first victim of the match when he bowled Whitelaw with the second ball of his third over. The total was then 274. Whitelaw and Gillespie had added 87 for the sixth wicket. Whitelaw had batted nicely for a total of 28. 274—0—28. Horspool joined Gillespie, who was batting quietly. Cunningham was bowling better than he did the previous day. Only one run was scored off his first four overs yesterday morning and he had taken one wicket. Cunningham’s fifth and sixth overs were also maidens. It was slow cricket, especially as Newman at the other end was also proving difficult to score off. Only 13 runs were added for half an hour’s play. There were some ironical cheers when Gillespie registered a single in Cunningham’s seventh over. CROWD GROW SARCASTIC. With the total 279 Merritt took over from Cunningham at the north end. The cautious tactics of the batsmen appeared to annoy some of the bankers, and there were some amusing remarks, strongly flavoured wit& s*rMerritt and Newman continued to keep the batsmen subdued. The Canterbury fielding was keen. Horspool opened his score w r ith a run of six singles and then he hit Merritt for two. A couple of balls later, however, Gillespie was stumped by Burns, off i Merritt. Gillespie made 75. He batted well on Tuesday, but he scored very slowly yesterday rhurnmg, when he never seemed very comfortable. Yes terday morning he added 10 in 55 minutes. In all he was at the wickets for 145 minutes. 291—7-—75.

Player went in. Read replaced Newman at the south end. Ilorspool took 45 minutes to reach double figures and only 30 runs were added in the first hour of batting yesterday morning. The first boundary of the morning was scored by Ilorspool, off Read. This brought 300 up after 275 minutes’ play. Next over Horspool drove Merritt to the pickets and reached 20. The total stood at 308 when Cunningham was given a turn at the south end, in place of Read. With the addition of six runs Page took over from Merritt at the other end. HORSPOOL HURT. With the score 316 . Horspool was hit by a rising ball and had to retire. He received a nasty blow on the upper lip. Dunning came in. After making a single Dunning appeared to give a chance in the slips, but the ball beat both Page and Hamilton. The rate of scoring continued to be slow, though it was a bit faster than earlier in the day. CUNNINGHAM CLEANS UP “TAIL.” The score was 326 when Player was smartly caught in slips by Hamilton off Cunningham. 326—8—S. . Horspool came back to continue his, innings, but after making three he went the same way as Plaj-er, and nine wickets were down tor 330 runs. 330 — 9—30. Rowntree was last man in, but before he had scored he went lbw to Cunningham, who had taken the last three, wickets in a couple of overs. Cunningham finished up with four wickets for 48 runs. The innings had lasted 298 minutes. CANTERBURY’S FIRST INNINGS. Canterbury opened their first innings at 1.8 p.m. Crawford and Brosnahan went in. Dunning opened the attack, bowling from the north end to Crawford, who scored a couple round to leg off the first delivery. Player bowled from the other end. His first over was a maiden to Crawford. Brosnahan opened his account with a single off Dunning. Player’s second over was also a maiden. The luncheon adjournment was then taken, with the score silt for no wickets. When play was resumed after lunch the crowd had grown considerably. Dunning bowled from the north end to Crawford. A single to Crawford was all that came off Dunning’s first over after lunch. Plaver took up the attack from the other end. Crawford again made one. The first four of the innings came when Crawford sent Dunning to the leg boundary. This made the batsman 10. Off the first ball of

Dunning's next over Crawford was smartly caught by Whitelaw at point. 12—1—10. Roberts came in and opened with a single off Dunning. The rate of scoring was slow, the batsmen playing with caution. Player especially kept them quiet. Player had only One run scored off 'his first six overs. Brosnahan took 25 minutes to score three runs. Player's of maiden overs was broken when Brosnahan scored a single off his seventh. Then Roberts drove Player for a single and this brought 20 up after 33 minutes' play. A little later Roberts tapped one back to Dunning, who took an eas' r catch. 20—2—3. Page was next. Things were not looking too healthy for Canterbury. At this stage the sun shone out. and the wicket was a drying one. Page brought 30 up by driving Dunning nicely to the on for three. Brosnahan was 10. The innings had been in progress forty-five minutes. The batsmen were running well between the wickets and they were applauded for several short runs. A three off Player made Page's total 10. The score was 39 when Allcott replaced Player at the south end. Off his second delivery Page scored a nice couple through the slips, bringing 40 up. HALF CENTURY. Page opened his shoulders to Dunning, and in one over hit him for a four, a two and a single. Then Brosnahan scored a single, which brought the half century up after 58 minutes. The last ball of Dunning’s over Page nearly played on to his wicket. Next over Brosnahan, who had made 13, survived an appeal for caught at the wickets off Allcott. , Weir replaced Dunning at the pavilion end. In Weir’s second over Page drove him nicely for four. Allcott, who was bowling steadily, sent down his third maiden in succession, Brosnahan playing him. A single to Page in Allcott’s next over brought 60 up. Page scored a single off Weir. The batsmen failed to run a possible two, and next ball Weir clean bowled Brosnahan. the ball catching the off pin. Brosnahan had played 77 minutes for only 14. 63—3—14. Page and Brosnahan added 43 for the third wicket. Newman filled the breach. A pretty two to Newman in Weir’s next over opened the account of the Canterbury coach. Next over Page came near to being stumped by Rowntree off Allcott. A single to Newman off Weir brought 70 up and next ball Page drove hard for four making his total 40. The Canterbury captain had been batting for about an hour. Allcott was proving difficult to score off. His first eleven overs yielded only eight runs for Canterbury. PAGE STUMPED. With the total 85 Bowfey was put on in place of Weir at the north end. His first over w-as a maiden to Newman. The total was 88 when Page stepped out to one from Bowley, missed the ball and was smartly stumped by Rowntree. Page had played a useful knock for 44. He hit three fours. 88—4—44. Hamilton joined Newman, who had scored 10. The score at the tea adjournment was 93 for four wickets. After tea, Allcott bowled from the south end. Hamilton scored a single off him. Bowley was the other bowler. Off Bowlev’s third delivery after tea Hamilton played the ball on to his wickets. 94—5—4. A BRIGHT INCIDENT. Merritt came in and he roused thunderous applause by pulling the first ball received from Bowley over the leg boundary for six, the first of the match. [This brought the century up after 130 mr-iutes’ play. It was one of the events of the match. Merritt livened things up and quickly ran into double figures. The deliveries .of Bowley seemed to suit him. Merritt made the total 120 by driving Bowley for four. A single off Bowley and Merritt had caught up to Newman’s score of 19.

With the total 121 Dunning went on again, replacing Allcott at the south end. Allcott had bowled twenty-one overs tor only 21 runs. With his first delivery Dunning bowled Merritt, who had made 19 in half an hour. 121—6 19.

A COLLAPSE. Evans went in, but, before he had scored, he was caught by Mills oft Dunning, who had taken four wickets for 31 runs. 125—7—0. Read joined Newman, who was playing a very patient innings, but, with the advent of the newcomers he forced the pace, and he quickly ran into his thirties, after taking 75 minutes to make 20. Read scored his first boundary. by putting Dunning nicely to leg for four. This brought 140 up. Next over Newman went Ibw to Bowley. The Canterbury coach had been batting for 87 minutes. lie played a correct but, except for patches, not a spectacular innings. 143-—B—3l. Burns was next but he soon lost Read, who was caught by Postles off Dunning. 147 —9 —6. Postles took a brilliant catch. Cunningham was last man in. The innings closed at 5.15 p.m. for 153. Burns was caught and bowled by Bowley, who took a good catch with one hand. The innings had occupied 188 minutes. CANTERBURY FOLLOW ON. Canterbury followed on, Brosnahan and Crawford opening the home side’s second innings at 5.30 p.m. Player opened the attack from the south end and Weir bowled from the north. At 5.35 p.m. Canterbury appealed against the light, but the appeal was not sustained. Crawford scored a couple of twos round to leg off Weir, but off the fifth ball of the over he was smartly caught in slips by Dunning. 12— I—4.1 —4. Roberts w'as next. Player, who had bowled a couple of overs, was replaced by Dunning at the south end. Last ball of his second over Dunning unsuccessfully appealed for lbw against Brosnahan. Next over Roberts, who never had appeared comfortable, was clean bowled by Weir for a “duck.” 12—2— O. Page went in, but, owing to failing light, stumps -were drawn a couple of balls later at 5.50 p.m. AUCKLAND. First Innings. J. E. Mills, 1411 b Read 7 E. H. Bowley, 21322112421141412141 b Newman 40 A. J. Postles, 11214111111114 c Newman b Merritt 21 G. L. Weir, 1111112121121443 b Newman 27 C. F. Allcott, 241141424414411423 1111114111144 b Page 60 H. D. Gillespie, 11121112141142414 11114133114114113131111111, std Burns b Merritt 75 P. E. Whitelaw. 2311121111211111 1411, b Cunningham '• 28 E. Horspool, 11111121111114411111 21, c Hamilton b Cunningham 30 A. S. Player, 11111111, c Hamilton b Cunningham 8 J. A. Dunning, 113111, not out . . 8 R. W. Rowntree, lbw b Cunningham 0 Byes. 14411 11 Leg byes, 11111 l 6 Total 330 BOWLING ANALYSIS.

Fall of wickets—:One for 15, two for 74, three for 78, four for 159, five for 187,. six for 274, eight for 326, nine for 330, ten for 330. CANTERBURY. . First Innings. tfC. G. Crawford, 22114, c Whitelaw

b Dunning 10 A. W. Roberts, , 111, c and b Dunning 3 E. Brosnahan, 111122111111, b Weir 14 M. L. Page. 113113121421141121111 2431, st Rowntr.ee b Bowley .. 44 J. Newman. 11121211111311114142, lbw b Bowley .............. 31 I. M. Hamilton, 11,11, b Bowley .... 4 W. E. Merritt, 611221141, b Dunning 19 C. E. Evans, c Stills b Dunning .... 0 R. Read, 24, c Postles b Dunning 6 R. C. Burns, 41, c and. b Bowley .. 5 W. Cunningham, 14, not out ' 5 Leg-byes, ‘ 1211131 * ! 1!!!!!!!! i! . 10 Total ...‘ 153 Bowling Analysis.

Fall, of wickets—One for 10, two for 20, three for 63, four for 88, five for 94, six for 121, seven for 125, eight for 143, nine for 147, ten for 153. Second Innings. C. G. Crawford, 22, c Dunning b Weir 4 E. Brosnahan, 41, not out 5 A. W. Roberts, b Weir 0 M. L. Page, not out 0 Byes, 3 5 Total for two wickets .... 12

Read .... Overs Mdns. Runs .27 3 79 Wkts. 1 Cunningham . 24.4 8 48 4 Merritt . 26 1 94 2 Newman . 33 8 59 2 Page „ . 12 1 33 1

Dunning Overs. .... 16 Mdns. 1 Rns. Wkts. 44 5 Plaver . . .... 10 14 — Allcott .... 21 10 21 — Weir .... 10 1 24 1 Bowley .... 13.2 2 38 4