BIG CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18521, 29 December 1931, Page 8

BIG CRICKET.

THE PLUNKET SHIELD. WELLINGTON BEATS AUCKLAND. BY SIX WICKETS. (Dy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Auckland was continued to-day. . Wellington’s Locond Innings. Dempster .executed some pretty placements, while Dustin did not appear troubled. Fifty was brought up in 28 minutes. Dustin immediately survived an appeal for leg-before by Mallieson. With his score at 33, Dempster gave a chance off Vivian to Lyon in the slips, the fieldsman dropping the chance. The hundred was brought up alter 70 minutes’ play. Dumpster lost his wicket leg-before to Vivian. 119 —1—67.

Hepburn left after scoring a single, being clean bowled by Cleverley. 120—2—1.

Dustin reached 50 in 100 minutes. He then lost McGirr who was caught and bowled by NVeir. 1443—15. Dustin, 52, and Lambert 5, were together at the tea adjournment, the score being 151 for three wickets. • Twenty-eight runs were still required to win. Lambert hit out, but this proved his downfall as he was clean bowled by Weir. 170—4—19. ‘Dustin and Crook made- the necessary runs, the match ending at 4.30 pun. The runs took 125 minutes to compile. . Details are as follows: — AUCKLAND. First Innings 164 Second innings 285 WELLINGTON. First Innings 271 Second Innings. C. S. Dempster, lbw, b Vivian . 67 W. Dustin, not out 63 \V. Hepburn, b Cleverley I. H. M. McGirr, c and b Weir .. 15 11. N. Lambert, b Weir 19 R. Crook, not out 4 Extras 13 Total for four wickets ... 182 Bowling.

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. OTAGO’S SECOND INNINGS. GREAT BATTING RECOVERY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. In the Plunket Shield match to-day Utago made one of the greatest batting recoveries ever known in New Zealand cricket. The side began the day with a deficit of over 300 runs, but piled up the magnificent score of 555 runs for nine wickets, leaving Canterbury a formidable task on the fourth day to escape defeat. A Record Score.

The chief contributor to Otago’s line total was R. C. Blunt, who was unbeaten when slumps were drawn with his 'score at 313. This already constitutes a Plunket Shield record score, and good judges who saw him to-day declare that his batting was the llnest ever seen at Lancaster Park. It was Blunt’s most brilliant achievement in a brilliant cricket career. Going in at 11.50, with the score at one for 49, lie saw 300 runs added to the total. He produced scoring strokes which surprised even his greatest admirers, lie lifted two or three balls into the deep held when it was safe to do so, but olherwisc his runs came from shots along the carpet in front of and behind Ihe wicket, both oil the off and leg sides. His off-driving was especially well executed with effortless ease and his timing of strokes on Ihe leg side was uncanny. Blunt, gave a chance at 127 and was actually caught off a no-ball, but there was no other blemish in his long innings. Badenek, who opened with Cherry, also scored a meritorious century, hut Ids effort was overshadowed hy Blunt's brilliance. Next in order of merit must he accounted Hip effort of Hawksvvorth, who kept his wicket up while Blunt scored until the partnership had added 130 runs.

fif the Canterbury howlers Burrows was Hie steadiest, keeping a good length with few loose halls. cronib howled well early, but later lost both speed and length. The ground Melding was far below Otago's display on Saturday.

0. M. R. w. a. L Weir 9 2 22 O ii. G Vivian ... 19.5 .'1 75 1 L>. u Cleverley . . 7 1 30 1 A. M Matheson 5 0 18 0 T. L yon 0 10 0 A. \\ . McCoy 2 0 Ji 0