THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1349, 29 January 1912, Page 6

THE PLUNKET SHIELD.

I SECOND DAYWELLINGTON'S PROSPECTS DAMAGED. SOME CHEAP WICKETS. v GOOD.PEBFOMIANCE BY GIBBKS. . (Bj Telegraph—Press Asspciatton.) ... '-..- Chrijtchurch, January 2S. The cricket match in which Canterbury are defending tho Plunket Shiolil against Wellington was resumed on .Saturilay in beautiful weather and upon a, wicket that was fast ajid true. There was a fairly good attendance, probably well over 2000 being present. Tho'snm of .£lO5 was taken at tho gates. : Tho Wellington men showed .some improvement on the first day's play, but-their batting, certainly with one exception, was not cood onough (o offer them any hope of winning the Plunkot Shield against bowlers like Bennett, Reese, and Sandman. The Wellington bowling,, hqwever, was very much better and greatly improved work was done in tho field, as compared with the first day. • Gibbes was the , only batsman whose performance could bo termed first-class, and ho.cohiparcd'.very favourably with the best of the Canterbury men. Ho played all the bowling'cohfidently and correctly, was never in trouble, and'scored oft nearly everything not absolutely ..firsMass, by powerful and well-limed strokes. Midlans played a very sound but laboured innings, which, had it not been for Gibbes's spirited batting'at.the other : end, would have been'tedious. He made a few good strokes, but let off a lot of loose'balls, most of which he either missed or mistimed. . Patrick batted solidly, whilst Saunders and Brico made their' runs by taking all the risks. Mahonsy. was lucky in- even getting into double figures, 'and those, who'remember his batting of years ago marvelled at his -retrogression. Bennett was again tho best of the Canterbury bowlers. .He Sept' an excellent length and direction, generally making the ball do a little, and at no time could the .batsmen taken liberties >-ith him. Keose made a loose, start, but after a couple of overs always .had the. batsmen plavins him. Sandman and Hickmott also bowled'well. Carlton was ■ harmless; and only had' five, overs. ' " -. The Canterbury fielding was good, but far from faultless, and some catches were 'dropped that'should have been held. ;■■ In Canterbury's, second innings' several of' tho batsmen , ' . gave bright and forcing- displays, ■ but Patrick was easily th?" best. -His defence was never seriously taxed, ' and Ins scoring strokes were marked by considerable power,' and excellent timing. Ho scored his 44 in forty-five minutes, including' a sixer, right over the heads of the people,'to square leg. Xusk again played aggressive cricket, his. sconne strokes being, faultlessly, executed. He made Saunders look like tho veriest tyro. Both Patrick'and fficlcmott batted well, except for'a short-period; when Saunders had them tied up, and they made their runs bv clean and attractive shots. Sandman hit ferociously.. At. the end of the day he and Patrick put on 42 m twenty-three minutes'.' The Wellington bowling was much batter than on the first day. Brice sent them in fast, and was fairly accurate in leugtli and' direction. He was difficult to .score .off. • Saunders was .expensive during' the earlier part of .the innings, but, later' on, -bowled really well,. keeping a splendid length, and whipping in with an off spin. He certainly had hard luck in only getting one wicket, for he frequently beat the batsmen badly. Patrick bowled well, without any luck, Hut Gibbes and Fenton were expensive in. tho few overs they had. Steady rain fell on Saturday night, which minimised Wellington's already slender chance- of lifting the shield. Midlane (1), and Saunders (4), continued Wellinston's inning?, at 11.30, to the bqwling'of Bennett and Reese. The latter was short in length for a couple of overs, but the batsmen failed to profit by it. After two or three uppish strokes, Saunders put an easy one into W. Carlton's hands at mid-oft.' .2G-3-IG. '

Gibbes filled the gap, and the best batting of the innings ensued, the left-hander at "once dropping into his stride, and trouncing'anything loose. Notwithstanding several changes in the bowling, the runs rhounted at a good rate, Gibbes getting in some beautiful strokes past cover that wero very high-clasa. The century wnii comfortably passed before Hickroott bowled Gibbes, with an off-break that kept low. 110—4—59. Blamires was all at sea to the High School boy, and lifted the last ball of a. weakly-played over to Hayes at mid-off. 110—5—0. Mahoney should have been caught before he had scored, W. Carlton. missing an easy catch at mid-off. again had bad luck, for ho beat the same batsman with a good one, the wicket-keeper letting it go, thinking it would hit the. wicket: With the score at 122, the players went to lunch. On • resuming, Bennett and Reese- again had charge of the bowling, and after some slow play Bennett beat Midlane with a tricky ball. 133—6—35. Brice, who followed, commenced briskly, and lifted one off' Sandman, to long-off, where Norman so far misjudged the catch —already a hot to make it difficult, and he failed to hold the ball.- It made little difference, as, • in the following over, Brice was smartly caught at the wickets. 153—8—12.

Becchey was next, but at once lost Mahoney, vfho'was clean bowledi Patrick was the ingoeay and his partner sent IGO'up with a nice square-cut for four. With half a dozen singles on, Beechey stopped a straight one with hia leg. 184—9—7. Berondsen was last, and Patrick got Sandman to the on for a three and two pairs, but Bennett then got a good one past Berendsen. The ihniugj) thus closed for 173, having , lasted just under,threo hours. . , W'ith a lead-of 104, Canterbury went in a second time, at a quarter past three. As in the first "innings, Lusk and Hayes' were the opening pair. Saunders opened th(>'bowling, from the south end, and raised an. ironical, laugh by appealing -for l.b.w. for a ball that never touched the* batsman's legs, Hayes, playing it. Putrick bowled from the other end. Both batsmen were soon busy, , Lusk in particular being aggressive Saundors. sulfered to the tune, of 29 in fivo overs and Brice, who replaced him, -at. once got Lusk caught'in the slips. 40—1—29. Norman followed and with 13 added, 'Hayes was given out, caught at the wickets, palpably «ui umpire's mistake. 53—2—17. : ' W. Carlton followed and tho score moved stead.ilv along to 70, when Brice, who had changed ends.'got Carlton, l.b.w. 70—3—2. Reese did not alter the score, putting his lirst ball into the hands of Saunders, at slip. Hickmot(?s ap]«a.ranco was hailed with acclamation and ho set up a good partnership with Norman. Gibbes suffered to the extent of 15 in one over and the century went up for :in hour and 25 minutes' play. Then Saunders, going on again, had bnth [ batsmen in trouble, eventually finding Norman's wicket with a good.one. 120— 5—31. With Patrick in, the play livened up again. Fenton went on for the first time at 143, and just"as 150 weut up for Iw'o hours and. 10 minutes' play, lie got Hickmott l.b.w. 150—G—33. Sandman joined Patrick, and tlic-'pair pro'r-;«!ed to give a lively display. For the first time in a representative match Patrick lifted one over the fence, N a magnificent square-leg hit that landed beyond tho embankment. ' Crombio injured his knee in trying to save a four, and retired, Reese fielding for him. Several changes were made in'the bowling, but the batsmoii scored merrily with fine strokes, and when stump's wero drawn the score stood, at 192 for six wickets. Play will be resumed at 11.30 o'clock on Monday morning." Scores :— Canterbury.—First Innings. 277 Canterbury,—Second Innings. H. B. Lnsk, c. Blamires, b. Brice ... 29 W. Hayee, c. Berendsen, b. Brice ... 17 A. Norman, b. Saunders 31 W. Carlton, 1.b.w.. b..Brion ;\. D. Reese, c. Saunders, b. Brice ..,,„ fl R. G. Hickmott, 1.b.w., h. Fcuton 33 W. K. Patrick, not out 4t L. Sandman, not out 20 Extras 15 Totals for six wickets .192 Bowling Analysis. Saunder3 took one wicket for 72 runs; Patrick, hone fur-23; Brice, four for 32; Gibbet, none lor 33; Fenton. one for 17,

Wellington—First Innings. M. ,T. Crombie, b. Bennett t A. J!. Venlon, b. Reese .'. K 1 , . Midhme, b. Bennett IK .1. V. Saunders, c. W. C'arlton, b. Uccm> '. V. Hi \V. rf. Clibbos, b. Hicknmtt a!) 11. 0. Blauiires, p. Haves, b. Hiekmott .11 \V. J;.- Kricb, c. Boxshnll. b. Bennett Y> J. G. Mahqney', b. Sandman ............ 111. K. 'M. Beechey, 1.b.w., b. Sandman 7 li. Patrick,.'not' out ; ■■.:..:. I'i C. V. Berondsen, b. Bennett I Extras .••.....'. » lj> '.'■ Total. ....' '. ••• l<3 ' Bowling Analysis. , . Beiinolt took four wickets for S3.runs; '1 , . Carlton,' none for-.IG: T.. .l!pofo._ Iwo for .'IS; j<. Saudmun, two for ;19; K."G. .llickmofr, two for 24. Hickmott bowled ono no-bull. , AN INSIDE VIEW. MOVE NOT YET QUITE DEAD. A correspondent traycJliu? with the ■Wellington,.team telegraphs to a. fritaid hero that admirable weather condjthns prevailed when play commenced on Saturday, pleasant sunshine being temporal by a iight liTeezo. The wicket was Rood. With Gibbes and Midlano in. anticipations of ii big score were bold, but again the latter batsman failed. Gibbes's innings was free'and crisp, cutting and driving; perfect, until a low ball (jot under his bat. Midlane's inning was marked by caution and soundness. TIo played two hours and n half for thirtyfive, and finally chopped a , ball into his wicket. Blamires was dismissed witli tho [seventh ball of an over, which included a no-ball, and the remaining bats lasted fon about a quarter to. half an, hour each. Wellington's supporters were disappointed, as the score was,not equal to the capabilities of the .team. New houerose with Brieo's success in- capturing -four wickets for cighti with the score at four for 70. Then the breeze , dropped, and his deliveries lost, their dangerous swerve. Canterbury's batting was again shown to bo solid,' Hickmott; Norman, and Patrick succeeding where' others failed. The wea-ther-is now (Saturday evening) overcast. Rain has fallen, and prospects for a goe'd wicket' are uncertain. .r . A BATTING COLLAPSE. BOWLING AND FIELDING . IMPROVED. Q3j Teleerash—Special Correspondent.* Christchurch, January 2§. The Wellington men showed some improvement in tlieir play on Saturday. Their bowling and fielding were a decided improvement, and if Saunders aiid Brice had bowled as well pu Friday the Canterbury score would in all probability. have been much smaller. But it was in , the batting that the northerners"failed, though at ono time, with 100 up for three wickets, and Gibbes and Midlalie both playing confidently, Canterbury's advantage seemed to be seriously assailed. After this, however, ' the Canterbury bowlers easily dominated the position, without even calling up'all their reserves, and the shield'holders were left with a very handy siiTplus of 104. 'Gibbeii was really out on bis own among the Wellington batsmen, and his batting right through would compare very favourably with the best of the Canterbury performers. If was a delightful innings to watch, free from any semblance of laboured strokes. All tho bowling found him doing the right thing and doing it.well. Although there was not a rash stroke in his innings, he yet scored at a- good rate, especially considering the quality of the bowling." He was never in difficulties, and he scored his runs'by masterly strokes all round the wicEet, his shots past forward cover being especially powerful- and well timed. In the end he was.beaten by a good -ball that was' made niore difficult by keeping low. Midlane played a lot of very sound cricket, and did much towards taking tho sting'out of'the bowling, but' he was not in his form'as regards scoring strokes: Unlike Gibbes, he failed to profit by the loose ■ balls that , came his way. and d large proportion of his attempted scoring strokes spent their force in the ground. Patrick shaped like one of the best, for his defence was never at fault, and he made quite good determined strokes, though smart fielding prevented most of them from" gaining more than singles. Brice made some good hits. Sannders was lucky, Mahoney was exceedingly lucky not to be out before he had scored, but he then played steadily until, when he had reached doubles, ho got reckless and paid the penalty. was disappointing. Hickmott had him scratching for a whole over, and the last ball ho lifted tamely to mid-off. .There was sonic excellent battting in Canterbury's second innings, and the score v;ould probably have been much larger but for good bowling throughout by Brice, and, late in the afternoon, by Saunders.

Lusk and Hayes gave Canterbury's eecond .venturo a good start, chiefly through the former trouncing Saunders unmercifully. Brice was doing his part manfully at the other end, and at one time had four wickets for 7. Later on. Saunders went on: a "second time, and seemed a different bowler. Kqeping a splendid .length a.nd very straight, he came quickly with an off-break, and lie had "botli Norman and Hickmqtt in serious' trouble, but after their departure Patrick and Sandman treated both bowlers very disrespectfully—hitting up -15 runs in about twenty 'minutes—although they were still bowling' well. Patrick bowled excellently. At times he had the batsmen in trouble, and more than once beat both the batsmen and the wicket; '

The Wellington fielding was a decided improvement on that of the first day. They all put more energy into their work, and their display compared favourably Itith Canterbury's, which was a bit ,patchy, at any rato on the part of two or three. '

Berendsen was again in fine form with the gloves. A considerable, amount of rain fell on Saturday night, and Wellington's task, which was by no means hopeless, had the wicket remained as goqd as .it had been, mil be doubly difficult on Monday. Indeed the Shield, holders, regard tho match as very sufp, and are lookin?-for-ward with a considerable amount of confidence to their match with .Auckland, which takes, place next Friday week.. .

ENGLISH TOUR. .. BRILLIANT BATTIN'3 AT HOB ART.' ni Telfpranh-rirfM ' Aeaoclation-Copyrlplil (Received January 28, 5.5 p.m.) ■ ■ . . . • Hobart, January 28. Continuing their match ■ against Tasmania, the Englishmen gave a brilliant display of batting. Woolley, in particular, distinguished himself, compiling 305 in 229 minutes. His score included two sixes and 43 .fours. He and Rhodes, in partnership, lifted the score to 200, and Woolley and Hearne together carried, on the score to 254. Woolley's score is a record for the tour, and beats Foster's record of 287, compiled in a Test match at Sydney eight years ago. r " • V England.—First Innings. Kinneir, 1.b.w., b. Paton 2G Rhodes, b.'Martin 102 Hearne, c. Bodhnm, b. Eitham 97 Foster, c. Hudson, b. Carroll 21 Woolley, not out '. 303 Sundries :!3 Total for four wickets 574 Bowling Analysis. Carrqll took one wicket for 83 runs; Windsor, none for 112: Paton. one for 88; Ueddam, one for l>6; M'Kenzie, none for 65; Martin, one for 711; Chancellor, none for 39; Eitham, one for 21. Tasmania.—Second Innings. Hawson, b. Barnes 9 Martin, c. Rhodes, b. Foster 54 Windsor, b. Foster i Hudson, not out , ;,. 35 Sundries , 11 Total for three wicketa 113 Tasmania in ' their first innings inado 124. SHEFFIELD SHIELD. INTER-STATE GAME AT SYDNEY. (Rcc. January '-8, 5.5 p.m.) ; ■ Sydney, January 28. In the final match for tho Sheffield Shield, New South Wales completed their lirst innings for 118 runs MinneU (not out, 216), Cotter (79), and M'Kc'.ir <:!!>) were the chief scorers, Armstrong took

live wickets for 101 runs;, Kyle, two for i(W; Brown, one for lilj; M'Donald, one for 71. Victoria, in their second innings, have lost four wickets'for 13) runs (Korthme 2!). Brown 27 not out, M'Kcuxie 23 not oiit). In their first innings Victoria scored 12! l. ■ ■ • (Hoc. January 29, 0..') a.m.) Sydney, Jauuarr 28. Victoria has lost six wickets' i'or 17G runs—Brown .31, M'lCenzio (not out) 55 Mimictt's play, was brilliant 'a'ml'fuultless,. 1u:197 minutes at the wickets he hit 27. fours and-three sixes. Cotter was in slashing , form., Ho played .')!) minute-: and knocked fi sixes and 5 fours. •"' NOBLE RETIRES. "GIVE THE TOUNGKII MEN A CHANCE.;" (Roc. January 20, 1.1(1 a.m.) . Sydney. January 28. fhn movement to secure N'oblo'sVurrice* for the remaining Test Matches has proved futile. Noble has finally announced ihat his business urrangPinrnts will not permit of him again playing in first-class cricket. Ho added that, there arc many younger men; let the selectors give them a chance. JUNIOR MATCHES. Kilbimio B, 176 (Hills 34, Helliwell 46, Higginbottom 28, Church 15, Pvecroft 15* Cowan 10), beat Thorndon, G2 and 79. For Kilbirnie, Gray (six for JIO), Helliwell (five for 27), <md Church (tiro tor 11) did best with tho ball. Kilbirnje A, 115; (A. -Cunningham 28, Elton 19, J .Russell 18, Gilchrist 12, Murphy 10) and 183 (J. Russell 59, Anderson 52, A. Cunningham 25, not out, Hatchard 15), beat Thorndon, 71 and 145. Y;M.GVA. defeated Catholic Club by 4-t runs". .The former's second imiings closed for 98, O'Donohuo taking , the last two wickets for no runs. Catholic Club, requiring 111 to win, were all disposed of for'7o (O'Donohue 23, M'Grath 14). Fo* the winners, Plant' took four wickets for 37, Scluler two for 3,' and Murphy two for Selwyn. A, 115 aud 15G for four wickets, beat Harbour Board, 7G ami 101. For Selwyn, Bums 12 and'GG (retired), Taylor 11 and 25, not out, Jeifxies 40, Hopkins 28, Bradley 18, Galvin'37, n. Murphv 12 batted best. Burns, threo for 23, Buck, three for 27, and "Walden seven for 19 (including tho "hat trick") were tho best. of tho. bowlers. ..",•••. Catholic Club, 120 (Coleman, 27, not out, Carruthers 24, Bradley 22, Alley 15, Casey 12), defeated Karori 103 (Edwards 31, Atkin 29, not out). For-, the winners, Casey (sevenfor 32) and Carruthers (three for '34), and for the losers, Edwards (three for 20), Atkinlthreo lor"20)", aifd" Cornish (two-for 35), fowled best. •■ .- - MISCELLANEOUS. ' The••γ-acuum Oil Company "defeated A. E." Kernot's eleven at Kolburne Park by li runs.-"Vacuum Oil scored 108 and A. E. Kernot's 94; The" chief scorers for the winners' were: 'Guy 22, Wilson 20, Earnshaw 17, Jardine 15, and Brinson 27; Midlane 20, Mair 15, Simm 11 for the losers. Bowling-for Vacuum Oil, Jardine took, five wickets for 22 rims, and Earnshaw three for 39; aud for Kernot'a, Simm seven for 22. . . Playing at Kelburne Park on Saturday, Kangaroos defeated the Police by five wickets.;- Police; batting first, compiled 184. (Buttea-s 48, Jones 28, Cameron Iff, Thompson, 1C). ..Kangaroos replied with 169 for.the loss of five wickets (Spptswood 67. not out. Miller. 41, Cerutjy 18, Hadfield 18). Miller and Vare bowled best for the winners, and Camieron and Galljigher for the -losers. :." : ". ' ' MATCHES ELSEWHERE, WINS ON THE FIRST INNING'S. (By Teleeraph—Press Association.) Auckland, January 28. Wins on the first innings were tho rule in the sixth round-senior cricket matches which were concluded on Saturday, in excellent weather, and on good wickets. In each ca« the team which won the toss and batted first was beaten, and the scores in the three matches wero much alike. Ponsonby replied to 'Varsity's total of 189 with 282. A. C. Sriedden made 116 with a fiuo display of cricket, nearly all being carpet strokes. Woods made 37, Kavansgh 34, Thompson 27, Wilson 25. Graham, with three wickets for 41, was 'Varsity's most successful bowler. Grafton started" badly against Parnell, who had made 208. The first four wickets went down for 3G runs, but Horspool and Mn.son put on 104 run 3 for the fifth wicket, and M'Cormick and Cullcn added over 100 runs for the ninth wicket, tho innings closing for 294. Horspcol made 73, M'Cormick 69, Mason 58, and Cullen 46. Olliff took five wickets "for .148 runs, and Dorr three for' 64. ' ' North Shore made 270 against Eden's score of 1!)9. Sale made 96, Dacre 43, Howden 29, Farquharsdn 28. In bowling for Eden, L. Taylor took four wickets for 52, and Mills three for 13. Mason haa been added to the Auckland touring team. Dunedin, January 28. There was no play on north ground yesterday afternoon. After waiting an hour it was decided, owing to .the showery weather and the state of tho' ground, to postpone play in'the. matches, "Grange v. Opohoj Carisbroo'k A v." Albion. At the Carisbrook ground play was similarly postponed'in tho match Dunedin v.Carisbrook B. ' '