ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1662, 31 January 1913, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

CRICKET. CANTERBURY AND AUCKLAND MATCH. SOUTH MEN AHEAD. SANDMAN IN HIS TRUE FORM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, January 30. Tho Plunket Shield match was continued to-day in fine weather, and, on present appearances, it looks as if tho" shield will journey south. . Canterbury, with.five wickets down for 146 runs, continued their innings, Patrick and Hayes (76 not out) carrying tho 6coro to 174 before further wickets fell, Patrick was then l.b.w. to Olliff. 174 —6—21. "■'■

Sandman followed, and at once began to hit. Ho hit his first ball from Olliff out of tli© ground -for six, and followed suit with the first ball of Kerr's next over. Tho third ball of tho over was also a sixer, and the second century was hoisted. Hayes, with his century in view, played steadily, but Sandman- took every risk. He scored 50 in about-20 minutes, hitting four sixes. Ho should havo been stumped by Robinson at 50, but tho wicket-keeper thought that tho ball would hit the wicket). • ( Auckland's bowling was now slack, and the fielding elovcnly; and the fast rate of scoring was 1 maintained. Hayes at last reached his century, taking G2 minutes to scoro 24. Ho was eventually l.b.w. to 'Pay. lor. 300-7-123.

Sandman meanwhilo was hitting freely, but, before running into the nineties, ho gave two chances—both fairlv easy ones. After scoring; 93 he settled down to piny for his hundred, but, in playing back to 'Olliff, he edged the ball into his wicket. 329-8-93. Bennett skied his first ball, Carlton put on 35 for the last wicket.

The wicket was wearing a little towards tho end of the innings, and, when Auckland's second innings was commenced, one or two spots were. noticeable.. Horspool and Hsmus opened tho innings, Reeso and Bennett bowling. Tho batsmen refused to take risks, and play was very dull. When the total was 17, Horspool was bowled by Bennett, who was sending, down maiden after maiden. Hemus and Snedden took the score to 62, when the former was taken in tho slips. 62—2—33. Grenier and Snedden remained until tho tea adjournment, but, shortly after tho resumption, . the latter was out, Lb.w. 77—3—20. Sale commenced brightly, but slowed up, and was a' quarter of an hour in scoring two runs. Sandman, Bennett, and Carlton were the bowlers, and, keeping well on the spot, they kept the batsmen quiet., Sale was bowled by Sandman at 103, and, without any addition to the score, Grenier was taken at tho wickets. ■■ • .

■ Tho best partnership of tho innings then ensued. Cummings and Taylor, playing tho bowling freely, carried tho score to 164, and then Cummings, who had given a chance at 27, was caught by Sandman at point. 1G4—6—34. Olliff and Taylor played out time, the score' then being 185 for six wickets /when stumps wero drawn. Scores!— Canterbury—First Innings.

Imsk.b. Olliff 11 Caygill, b. Taylor , 35 Hayes, st. Robertson", b. Tay10r;..;... 125 Bishop, c. Cummings, b. Taylor ...... 0 'Patterson, c. and b. Olliff 3 Reese, 1.b.w., b. Hemus 9 Patrick, 1.b.w., b. Oliff 21 Sandman, b. Olliff 93 Bennett, c. Sale, b. Olliff ;.... 0 Carlton, 1.b.w., b. Kerr 33 Bosshall, not out ..... 13 Extras 21 Total ............%.. 364 Bowling analysis!—Olliff, 102 runs, ' fiyo wickets; Ivorr, 67 runs, 1 wicket; Hemus, 18 runs, one wicket; Cummings, 11 runs, no wickets; Snedden, 37 runs; no wickets; Kavanagh, 32 runs, no wickets; Taylor, 76 runs, three wickets'.

Auckland. First innings , .........; ;..; 190 ..Second Innings. Hemus, o. Lusk, b. Carlton 33 Horspobl, b. Bennett :.... ,7 Snedden, 1.b.w., b. Bennett 20 Grenier, c. Boxshall, b. Bennett 14 Sale, b. Sandman U Cummings, c. Sandman, b. Carlton ... 34 'Taylor, not out 34 OllifT, not out 5 i Extras .. 2i Total for six wickets 185 ' Bowling analysis.—Bennett, 1 35 runs, three wickots; Reese, 54 runs, no wickots; Patterson, 8 runs, no wickots; Carlton, 39 runs, two wickets; Patrick, 4 runs, no wickets; Sandman, 41 runs, one wicket.

NOTES ON THE.GAME. (By Telegraph^—Special. Correspondent.) Auckland, January 30. AYhcn play was resumed to-day, the wicket -was much taster, and it was quite expected that Canterbury would put up a big total. The visitors were not long in passing Auckland's score of 100, and a fast rata of scoring was maintained. Hayes, who only required 24 for his century, took few risks until he had achieved his first century in Plunkct Shield cricket. His cricket was quite faultless so far as to-day's display was concerned, though, yesterday, he 'was shaky on several occasions. The young •batsman's success led to a. popular demonstration when he retired with 123 to his credit. '

■ Sandman, whoso bowling on the first day was severely punished by ono ,or two of tho Auckland ■ batsmen—especially Horspool—took a full measure of revenue. Ho shaped confidently to tho first ball he received from Kerr, and to the surpriso of tho crowd, lifted Olliff's first delivery clean out of the ground. Ho scored 27 in nine minutes, this, including three hits for 0. and he reached his half century in twenty minutes. Sandman continued to hit freely, until well injjo the .nineties, but, with a century in view, he changed'his style and played the careful game. This was his undoing, and lie fell an easy victim' to Ollift". . In playing back to a big off-break from' that bowler, ho had his middle stump removed. There was little sting in the Auckland attack— Canterbury's free batting broko it ud. Olliff obtained the most wickets, but nil the bitsften played him confidently. Kerr, who has been bowling remarkably well of lt.to in club matches and at the nets, was not a success, and his fielding was also below par. Ho missed Sandman badly at point, when the' latter's score was 52, ; und seldom • did he field a ball [cleanly. The Auokland fielding on the whole was very slovenly. Even Sale, who is conei'lored to be ono of tho finest fields in New Zealand, missed a catch offered by Sandman.

On goine in to attempt to wipe, the deficit of 17+ against them, tho Auckland batsmen quite failed to rise to the occasion. For over an hour and a half the batting was dull and dreary, until Cummings and Taylor become associated. These two demonstrated that the bowling, pood ps it was, was not unplayable. They shaped confidently at every bowler, anil at oho stage, looked likn pulling tho match out of tho fire. Cuinmings. however, became too venturesome, and after being let off by Patterson, fell to an easy catch at point. Taylor, however, kept his wicket up until time was called. A feature of Auckland's second innings was the number of maidens sent down'by the Canterbury bowlers, no fewer than 29 being recorded. Bennett was particularly consistent, and Sandman, -whoso length in the first innings was by no means accurate, kept tho batsmen, very quiet. As tho match stands only a 'cricket miracle can prevent tho shield from journeying south in Canterbury's kit. Olliff and Taylor aro both consistent scorers in club cricket, and Knvanngh. who has still to bat, has an average of G5 in grade matches. The wicket, however, is not improving, and it is hardly likely that Canterbury will be set a tasirof moro than a century.

If Canterbury wins the success of the elevnn will be very popular here, as.'it is recognised thnt tho best interests of cricket will bo served by tho shield being held by eome different association-