AUCKLAND WINS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 8

AUCKLAND WINS

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH CROMB’S SPLENDID SCORE FIRST INNINGS VICTORY (By TelegTapli—Press .Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday A grand innings by I. B. Cromb for 126 not out was a feature of Canterbury's great recovery in the second innings of the Plunket Shield match against Auckland, which was concluded at Lancaster Park to-day. The innings closed for 292, leaving Auckland 2SB to get to secure an outright win. The fall of three wickets for 44 runs greatly improved Canterbury’s chances of a win, but rain again took a hand in the match and severely handicapped bowlers. When play ended Auckland had made 106 runs for the loss of three wickets and so won the match by five runs on the first innings. The weather in the early part of the day was fine and the wicket in good order for batting, but there was only a moderate attendance. Cromb's innings must go down as one of the best seen on Lancaster Park. He has never before scored a century in first-class cricket, although he made 105 against Durham during the New Zealand team’s tour of England in 1931. Durham, however, ranks as a minor county. Canterbury was in a baa position when Cromb went in on Tuesday evening, but he played correct cricket against all the bowlers. By standing out of his crease he made Covvie much easier to play. His on-side shots were particularly good to watch, but his strokes past point and to the covers were no less effective. Two hard chances did not mar his innings, which lasted 201 minutes. Fine Knock by Menzies The fine innings of Menzies must not be overlooked. Going in when live wickets were down for 76, he stayed while more than 100 runs were added. He was overshadowed by Cromb, but he played his part well. He revealed good scoring strokes, but was content to let his partner make the runs. Davis, who made 19, defended stoutly until Cromb had passed his century, but then he opened out, making some fine drives, while Mulcock also had a hit during the short time he was in. Auckland’s bowling looked much less effective than on the previous day. Covvie was not as impressive as in the early part of the innings. He did not bowl at top speed and his 15 overs to-day cost 47 runs for no wickets. Vivian was the best bowler, but even he did not worry Cromb and Menzies—a remark that also applies to MathesoD, who, nevertheless, bowled well in spite of an injured hand. Neither Weir nor Snedden were dangerous. The fielding apart from two* hard chances that were missed was good. Auckland Batsmen Wallace, the century-maker In the first innings, again batted well. He was much faster than in the first innings, when he was fighting for runs. Scott and Vivian also batted well, but they made most of their runs when the greasy ball considerably handicapped the Canterbury bowlers. In the circumstances it is hard to judge the Canterbury bowlers. Before the rain came they had the Auckland batsmen on the defensive. Davis, Roberts and Mulcock all bowled well in the early part of the innings. Scores: — CANTERBURY First innings 254 Second Innings Hadlee, st Jackman, b Vivian .. 21 Bellamy, b Covvie 10 Stokes, b Covvie 3 Kerr, b Matheson 22 Donnelly, c Matheson, b Vivian 1 Roberts, b Cowie 26 Menzies, lbw, b Matheson ... .. 33 Cromb, not out 126 Webb, b Matheson 7 Davis, b Vivian 19 Mulcock, c Weir, b Vivian .. 7 Extras 17 Total .. .. . ■. «c .. 292 Bowling.—Cowie took three wickets for 63 runs, Matheson three for 76, Weir none for 23, Vivian four for S 5, Snedden none for 15. AUCKLAND First innings 259 Second Innings Whitelavv, c Webb, b Davis . . 0 Postles, lbw, b Roberts .. .. 9 Wallace, b Mulcock . . .. % .. 32 Scott, not out 48 Vivian, not out 67 Extras 10 Total for three wickets .. 166 Bowling.—Davis took one wickel for-38 runs, Roberts one for 36, Mulcock one for 43, Bellamy none for 15, Donnelly none for 24. AUCKLANDERS’ TOUR SOUTH CANTERBURY MATCH (By Telegraph—Press Association) TIMARU, Thursday A cricket match, South Canterbury versus Auckland, opened at Fraser Park under favourable weather, the conditions being bright and warm and the wicket in excellent order. The visitors' side is regarded as particularly strong, including Whitelaw, Postles, Wallace, Vivian, Weir and Matthews. The home team won the toss and batted, making a weak start and losing Ileasley before scoring. At noon the score was 2 7 for two wickets Ileasley 0. Dawson i . Kane, run out. 11; Johnstone, b Scott, 7: Smith, b Weir, 33; Lang, b Weir. 1; Purcell, not out,. 1; Wilson, not out. none. Total for seven wickets, 69.