CANTERBURY HAVE REGAINED PLACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19270, 6 January 1931, Page 8

CANTERBURY HAVE REGAINED PLACE.

CRICKET.

TOP IN N.Z. CRICKET AFTER A LEAN SPELL.

For nearly eight years, since the 1922-23 season, the light of Canterbury cricket has shone but dimly in Plunket Shield cricket, but it appears that the province have now an excellent chance of getting back to the old position. Up to 1923 Canterbury were one cf the very strongest cricket provinces in the Dominion, having won the Shield more than any other side Since then Canterbury have not found teams able to cope with the growing strength of the Wellington and Auckland sides. Thanks in no small measure to the pc ,: - of selection which, over the last three years, has given the 3’ounger players of the province every opportunity to gain experience, Canterbury have this season a team which have shown themselves to be more than equal to the Wellington and Auckland sides, and now there is only the Otago match to be decided. Points for the Shield. On the present system of awarding points, Canterbury have sixteen points for two straight-out wins, Auckland and Wellington each have eight points fer their wins over Otago, and Otago have none. That means that Canterbury cannot be beaten on points. Should either the Wellington or Auckland sides gain a two-innings win in their match, the next of the series, the winning team will be equal with Canterbury with sixteen points. Canterbury will not require a straight-out win to gain the necessary points. A loss on the first 1 innings means two points, a win on the first innings means four, four points each are given for a tie on the match, two each for a tie on the first Minings, and each get three points each if there is no result after six hours’ play, which means that rain, though fairly continuous, is now likely to rob a side of some points. The Average System. Should Canterbury be beaten straight out, and another team have the same number of points, then the winners will be decided on the net averages. Canterbury are in a fairly good position in this respect, having four wickets in hand against Auckland, and a win by 139 runs against Wellington. On the other hand, both the northern provinces have had decisive wins over Otago, and if the winners in their coming match have a big margin, their net average will be high. The following table shows the holders of the Plunket Shield since it was presented:— 1906- —Canterburv. 1907- —Auckland. 1908- Auckland. 1909- Auckland. 1910- I—Canterburv. 2911-12—Auckland.' 1912- —Canterbury. 1913- —Canterbury. 1914- —Canterbury. 1916-18—No matches played. 1915- —Wellington and Canterbury. 1919- Auckland. 1920- —Wellington. 1921- Auckland. 1922- —Canterburv. 1923- Wellington. 1924- —Otago. 1925- —Wellington. 1926- Auckland. 1927- —Well i ng to n. 3 928*29—Auckland. 1929- Wellington. 1930Auckland have held the Shield on eight occasions, Canterbury on seven - occasions, Wellington on six and Otago ! on one. Chances Against Otago. On performances, it seems unlikely that the Otago team will be able to beat Canterbury. Otago have a fairly good attack, but not good enough to 1 prevent the Wellington and Auckland sides from rattling on good scores in three of the four innings played against Otago. On the other hand, on only one occasion have Otago compiled a reSlly; respectable total. Unless in this game Canterbtiry suffer a complete reversal of form, Otago will have to make a lot of runs to win. With the improvement in the Canterbury attack shown in the last innings of the Wellington game, and the keenness of the side in the field, it seems that the eleven are decidedly the strongest in New Zealand. Cricket is a game which is apt to produce the unexpected and confound all prophets, but it is hard to imagine Canterbury being beaten for the shield on this occasion. In the case of a win, Canterbury will be -equal with Auckland in holding the shield the greatest number of times. Wellington and Auckland meet at Auckland on January 21, and after that the New Zealand team to tour England will be picked. Canterbury and Otago meet at Otago on February 20. so that that game will not affect the selection. In their two fine performances, the members of the Canterbury team have practically won the shield for the province, and have laid claim to a good number of places in the New Zealand side. PAST SHIELD MATCHES. The struggle Canterbury have made to regain cricket prestige is well demonstrated by the following list of results: 1926Canterbury lost to Auckland by five wickets. Canterbury lost to Wellington by Canterburv beat Otago bv 260 runs. 1927Canterbury beat Otago by four wickets. Canterbury beat Auckland by 12 runs. Canterbury lost to Wellington by five wickets. 1928Canterbury lost to Auckland bj’ ten wickets. Canterbury drew with Wellington. Canterbury drew with Otago. 1929Canterbury lost to Wellington by 19 runs. Canterbury lost to Auckland by 91 runs on the first innings. Canterbury beat Otago by an innings and 227 runs. 1930Canterbury beat Auckland by four wickets. Canterbury beat Wellington by 139 runs. (Other cricket reports appear on page 15.)