PLUNKET SHIELD

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 6

PLUNKET SHIELD

PRECARIOUS POSITION CANTERBURY BATTING CROMB'S BRILLIANT DISPLAY(By Teiegraph--Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday Tense interest was manifest in the last day’s play in the Plunket Shield match, Auckland v. Canterbury. With five runs h"h-nd in the first innings and six wickets down for 117 in the second innings, Canterbury is in a precarious position and Threatened with an outright defeat. A lot depended on how long the not-out batsmen, Menzies (18) and Cromb (8) could stand up against the strong and varied attack that had proved so devastating late on Saturday afternoon. In Vivian's first over Menzies had a narrow escape from being run out. The bowler fumbled a fast return from Sneddon at point and the batsmen just scrambled into safety.

Matheson was again fielding despite a finger injury received yesterday. In Cowie’s first over Cromb was applauded for slashing a shot for four to the long leg boundary. The batsmen plodded on carefully and found Cowie much easier than formerly. His first five overs cost 16 runs whereas Vivian’s first five cost only four. Matheson replaced Cowie but the nuns continued to come steadily. The 150 mark came up in just under four hours’ batting. Valuable Partnership Ends Some of the brightest batting of the match followed as Cromb hit fours off both Matheson and Cowie and capped it with a fast-run four with a great long on shot. Canterbury’s stocks began to rise high and after the partnership had added 80 Matheson succeeded in dislodging Menzies lbw. Cromb brought 180 up with a beau-tifully-executed on drive for four off Weir. When the wicket-keeper Webb joined Cromb the runs continued to come freely. Cromb was batting at the top of his form, revealing clever Judgment running between the wickets. One hundred appeared after 282 minutes, the fastest scoring of the match. Just on the luncheon adjournment Matheson scattered Webb's stumps. Scores:— CANTERBURY First innings 254 Second Innings Hadlee, st Jackman, b Vivian .. 21 Bellamy, b Cowie 10 Stokes,' b Cowie 3 Kerr, b Matheson 22 Donnelly, c Maiheson, b Vivian i Roberts, b Cowie 2 6 Menzies, lbw, b Matheson . . . . 33 Webb, b Matheson 7 Cromb (in) 77 Davis in) 2 Extras . . .. 12 Total for eight wickets .. 214 Bowling.—Cowie took three wickets for 29 runs, Vivian two for 31. Matheson one for 40, Weir none for 9. AUCKLAND. —First Innings Whitelaw, lbw, b Bellamy .. 36 Postles, c Mulcock, b Donnelly .. 21 Wallace, b Donnelly 105 Scott, c Bellamy, b Roberts .. 9 Vivian, c and b Roberts . . .. 6 Weir, run out 23 Pearson, lbw, b Roberts . . .. 5 Matheson, lbw. b Roberts . . 33 Jackman, run out 0 Cowie, run out 0 Snedden, not out 0 Extras 21

Total .. 259 Bowling.—Roberts took four wickets for 49 runs, Donnelly two for 69, Bellamy one for 52, Davis none for 40, Mulcock none for 23, Cromb none for 3. YESTERDAY’S PLAY (By Telegraph — Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday A seventh-wicket stand by W. M. Wallace and A. M. Matheson, which took the score from 162 to 254. equal to Canterbury’s first innifigs total, was the main factor in giving 'Auckland a lead of five runs on the first innings in the Plunket Shield match between these two provinces, which was continued to-day at Lancaster Park. The last three wickets fell for five runs in an exciting finish to the innings. Then Canterbury’s loss of four wickets for 40 runs -gave further interest to the day’s play, in which the scoring rate was again slow. At stumps Canterbury had lost six wickets for JIT runs and Auckland is in a good position for an outright win. Overnight rain had made the wicket dead and consequently of no assistance to the bowlers, but the weather was ideal for cricket and drew the biggest crowd that has attended so far. The cate takings for the first, two davs were £207 which, with to-day's figure of £l7O. makes a total ol' £377 for the three days. “ PRICE’S ” “ PRICE’S Fruit. •• PRICE’S ” Fruit Extracts. •• PRICE S ” re." making Cordials. •• price s ” — aii the popular flavours. “PRICE'S’’ —l - bottle makes 3 gallons. PRICE’S "—Orange is unrivalled. “ PRICE'S ” —Also Lemon. Raspberry and “ PRICE’S ” Lime—Ask for “ PRICE’S.”