THIRD DAY'S PLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 4, 6 January 1936, Page 11

THIRD DAY'S PLAY

AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY

.INTERESTING MATCH

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 4,

After three days' play in the Plunket Shield cricket match against Canterbury at Eden Park, Auckland has played itself into a strong position. With five wickets down for 248 runs in reply to Canterbury's first innings score of 322, Auckland appeared in a good position, especially as the pitch was easy. However, on resuming play Auckland lost a valuable wicket for the addition of only three runs, and Canterbury's chances of a first innings lead improved.

Matheson, who was 19 not out from the previous day, continued to give a sound display of batting, scoring 92. He was mainly instrumental in giving Auckland a lead on the first innings of 82 runs. The Auckland innings closed for 404 runs.

Kerr was aggressive at the start of Canterbury's second innings, giving a fine display for 42, but the side was in sore straits when four wickets were lost for 94 runs. Two of the younger batsmen, Hadlee and O'Brien, then combined to save Canterbury from a collapse. Facing the Auckland slow bowling, both batsmen used their feet well in driving powerfully on both sides of the wicket. In a valuable partnership they raised the total to 156 for four wickets at stumps, Hadlee being 56 not out and O'Brien 26 not out. WICKET TRICKY. . The wicket was inclined to play tricks towards the end of the day, and if Canterbury can establish a lead of 200, Auckland, using the wicket for the fourth time, may not have an easy task ahead on Monday. Auckland had played itself into a good position for a win on the first innings after the first two days' play. However, when Hook failed to add to the overnight score, it appeared that Canterbury still had a fighting chance. When Matheson and Vivian became associated, the pair were not troubled by the attack, with the exception .of Roberts, who was watched very closely with the new ball. Once the shine was off the ball, both batsmen scored freely, especially off Cromb, although the deeply-set field saved many runs. Vivian, who failed to get started against Otago, drove and hooked well. He played all his shots crisply and with complete confidence. With his score at 60 he played outside a ball from Graham which swung slightly. Vivian's 60 was his highest score in representative cricket at Eden Park. He batted 98 minutes and hit four 4's. Matheson again proved himself in big cricket by compiling 92 before being dismissed with the last man in, playing a poor shot to a short ball from Merritt. Matheson played a sound innings, waiting for the loose ball and hitting it hard. He was in for 203 minutes for 92, and hit eignt 4' s- .TV The Auckland player-eoacn, L. r. Townsend, never appeared too comfortable against Merritt, who eventually had him caught off a fine catch by Graham on the off boundary. A HARD TASK. Facing a deficit of 82 runs, Canterbury had a hard task. Kerr and Bellamy opened confidently, but with the latter's score at 2 he was.well beaten by a ball from Matheson which kept low. Kerr gave a sample of his best batting ability in compiling 42. He scored with nice cover drives and splendid placements to the on side. He showed much more confidence than in the first innings. He was in 73 minutes, and hit four 4's. The colt Hadlee batted very confidently, saving the Canterbury team from a precarious position. He scored freely in front of the wicket, besides making some well-timed shots on the leg side. Equally valuable was the innings of O'Brien (26 not out), who was associated in a fifth-wicket partnership with Hadlee, which realised 61, and gave Canterbury a fighting chance. Both batsmen faced the bowling with the greatest confidence. Cromb failed to get started, hitting his wicket in playing a defensive shot. Butterfield went leg-before early to Vivian. Canterbury's batting was more enterprising than in the first innings, the batsmen showing far more inclination to attack rather, than defend. The Auckland captain, Vivian, who was the most successful bowler for the home side, took two wickets for 44 runs. . ■' Scores:— CANTERBURY. First innings 822 Second Innings. J. L. Kerr, c Whitelaw, b Townsend 42 F. W. Bellamy, b Matheson 2 W. A. Hadlee, not out 56 I. B. Cromb, hit wicket, b Vivian 9 L. A. Butterfield, lbw, b Vivian .. 3 F. P. O'Brien, not out 26 Extras 18 Total for four wickets .56 AUCKLAND. First Innings. j J. E. Mills, b Merritt 42 A. J. Postles, c Cobden, b Cromb . 8 G. L. Weir, b Roberts 0 P. E. Whitelaw, c O'Brien, b Cromb 35 W. M. Wallace, run out 85 G. Hook, c Butterfield, b Roberts 45 A. M. Matheson, b Merritt .... 92 H. G. Vivian, b Graham .: 60 L. F. Townsend, c Graham, b Merritt '........•.,....,.. I 6 J. Cowie, b Merritt .....; 1 W. Hayward, not out 1 Extras 19 Total. ...........->.......•■• 404 Bowling.—Roberts -two-wickets for 61 runs, Graham one for 39, :Cromb two for 87, Merritt four for. 144, Bellamy none for 34, Butterfield none for 20.