PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 8

PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

OTAGO V. AUCKLAND NOTES AND PROSPECTS The Auckland team to meet Otago in the Plunket Shield match at Carishrook on Monday next arrived from Christchurch by the : ghl express which reached here this morning. The party is under the management of 51 1' D. V l . Moore and is captained by Allcott. The twelfth man will not be announced until the morning of the match, but in Christchurch N. Martin occupied that position. The Otago team, which returns to-night "from Wellington, will be the same side as that which met Wellington during the present week. „ The Auckland team is a very strong all-round combination, regarded in some quarter- as being stronger even that which toured south in 1926-27, and the northerners’ ten-wickets’ victory against Canterbury has shown that the team is just as formidable as it looks on paper. Dacre’s place as leader of the side has been taken by Allcott, who is undoubtedly one of the finest all-round cricketers in New Zealand and a fitting man to lead Auckland in her Plunket Shield engagements. Allcott was a member of the New Zealand team that went to England in 1927, and though he was unable to play at the outset owing to a damaged fool, ho did well later on. He is a slow medium bowler and a very sound bat, being bv no means a slow scorer. Against Canterbury he made 69. K. H. Bowlcy, the Auckland professional, is a member of Sussex County and one of tho best all-rounders and most useful cricketers in England. Certain critics at Home advocated his inclusion in the English team now in Australia, and as coacli to the Auckland Association he has done much good work, being a most pnpuln; player in addition. He is a good solid bat and a dangerous slow bowler. Like most professionals, he is difficult to shift when he is at the wickets, and against Canterbury last week he made 49 and 20, retiring hurt in the second innings. His howling looks easier by a long way than it actually is, as may be seen from the fact that he took four Canterbury wickets for 38 runs in the first innings of the recent match and two for 52 in the second. Bowley did not do much with the ball against Otago at Auckland last year, but he came to light with a good score. J. A. Dunning, the Auckland Rhodes scholar, will be one of the personalities in this game, for since ho last played in Dunedin he gained his Blue in ’varsity cricket at Home and is now one of the best bowlers in New Zealand. He is not unknown in Dunedin by any means, as lie formerly played for Carishrnok and was one of those who contributed largely to that chib’s record score a few years back. He was best known as a bat in those days, perhaps, hut he has done exceptionally well as a fast bowler since then, and in Auckland chib cricket this season has some great figures to his credit.- Against Canterbury he was very successful, taking five for 44 and two for 47. It is pleasing to know that he is taking up an appointment in Dunedin after the holidays, and will prove a big acquisition to big cricket. Gillespie has been one of Auckland’s conspicuous batsmen for some time past, and in tbe Canterbury match top-scored with 75. Horspool is one of the best-known cricketers in New Zealand, and he will receive a warm welcome in Dunedin, for he has been here several times before. He has represented Auckland since 1909, and he has also played for New Zealand. Against Hie Victorians in the 1925-26 season his highest score in representative cricket was made (143), but he has always been a most consistent run-getter. Though ho has been in big cricket for twenty years lie is not yet a veteran, for he is still in his thirtie".

J. S. Mills, Auckland's opening batsman, is a son of George Mills, formerly groundsman At Carisbrook, and the younger Mills was born on Carisbrook, so that it may well be said that ho was introduced to cricket at an early, age. All his cricket, however, has been played in Auckland, and he has performed with distinction for that province. Ho is a left-hander, and a most graceful bat. He did well with the New Zealand team at Home, and played against Australia last year. He is one ol the most attractive bats in New Zealand to watch when lie gets going, and it is unlikely that he will go as cheaply in the forthcoming match as he did against Otago in the first innings last season, being out l.b.w. .lor 0. Ho made runs in the second innings, however. Player is a medium pace howler and keeps a good length. Hops not much of a bat, but sometimes comes to light. Ou a wicket that suits him, he is a most dangerous bowler. Rowntreo has played for Auckland for many years, and also lor Now Zealand. It is doubtful if even yet he has a peer as a wicketkeeper in New Zealand. He announced his retirement recently, but was induced to continue for this season at any rate. Dick Rowntrce is well liked wherever he goes, and cricket followers will hope that his retirement will long bo deferred, for ho is still in the class with the best of them. Like many wicketkeepers, Rowntrce is always able to come to light with a good score when it is wanted, though he is not generally looked upon as a bat. G. L. Weir played big cricket for the lirst time last season, and is one of the most promising colts that Aucklau 1 is encouraging. He is a good allrounder, and last season had some remarkable bowling figures in Auckland club cricket. Against Canterbury this week he made 11 , and also bowled well, taking one for 24 and four for Ti. Postles is a sound bat, and Whitelaw is a boy who is still at the Auckland Grammar School. He 'made 28 against Canterbury, a good performance for a youngster in his first representative game. , On their play against Wellington, the Otago team must certainly be given a good chance against Auckland, and even though the team is weakened by the absence of Dickinson, M'Mullan, and Shepherd, it should make a good showing against the northerners, and may spring a further surprise on the cricketing public. Before the Wellington match, northern cities did not speak too highly of Otago’s chances in Plnnket Shield games, but the fact that Blunt, Eastman, and the promising colt, Cavanaghp who had just struck form in club cricket the previous Saturday, all showed hue form in the Empire City is most encouraging in view of next week’s game. Monk thoroughly justified his inclusion in the team, and the skipper, A. W. Alloo, did excellently, both with the bat and the ball,, while Elmes bowled exceedingly well. If the lefthander finds a wicket to suit him next week, the Aucklanders may find him a dangerous man. _ Galland went cheaply in the first innings against Wellington, but be came to light with a characteristic knock in the second strike, making 44 in quick time. Cecil Alloo did well in Otago’s second innings, and so did Knight, while

Zimmerman performed creditably at the wickets'in Otago’s first innings.’ Auckland, on paper, certainly looks to have the more formidable attack, but strange things happen in cricket, and next week’sc game should certainly provide much interesting cricket, and on the result of the game may depend the future home of tho Plunket Shield.