CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

COBDEN v. HOKITIKA. A team representative of Hokitika yesterday motored to Cobden and played the local club, by whom they were defeated easily by an innings and 73 runs. Tbe visitors in the first innings made 30. the chief scorers being Collision 13 (not out) and A. Thomas 9. Cobden replied with 382 runs, to which total the chief contributors were Barlow 44, Smith 44. Dewar 27. Thomas 13. and C. Dewar 11. In their second innings Hokitika did bettor making 70 the best scorers being Fleming 26, and King 15. The best bowler for Hokitika was King, while Knapp and Smith got the best averages of the' Cob-den trundlers.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1

WELLINGTON. Feb. 21. For tbe second day of the final of the Plunket Shield match, between Wellington and Auckland, the home team with six wickets down tor o-4 iKortlang, not out, 175 Lambert, not out 25) continued the Wellington m""xortlang resisted all attempts to dis ]odcm him though at times he did not attempt to force the pace, the runs consequently coming at a slow rate,

He reached his second century, and carried the score to 4(79, when Lambert was caught by Gillispic off Player. The innings closed for 447. Kortlang being still at the wickets with a splendid score of 214. It was almost a faultless innings. He gave hilt two chances. one at 40. and the second at 200. but both were most difficult, llis score intituled 24 fours.

Auckland’s display wax disappointing. Anthony and Mills opened, lhe latter soon went to Badcock, but Anthony played a fine innings tor 56, being top scorer, Of the others, 1* rater CIO), All cot t (24), llowntree (20), Cooper (17) and Player (10), not out, reached double figures. The Auckland innings closed for 191 runs. It was anticipated that Wellington would call for a follow on, hut Collins scut in his team to bat again. AY ben stumps were drawn. James was 4 and Henderson 1, no wickets being down. Boling for Auckland. Player took 3 for 107. Allcott 2 for 88, Smith 2 for 05, Anthony 1 for 82. and Sneddon l for 45. For Wellington, Badcock took J lor 40. McG'irr 3 for 43, Brice 3 for 49, and Collins 1 for 3. The attendance was 7099. LONDON, Feh. 21. At Bristol, speaking at the Gloucestershire County Club dinner. Warner said that English cricket had got hack to its pre-war standard, lie denied England had got cold feet; on the contrary, she was preparing a hot reception for the Australians. It would I,i impossible to alter tbe programme this season, but humbly and diffidently lie thought tbe tests should last four .lays, especially after the long journey their visitors had made. It was claimed thi? Australians were very strong in batting, but weak in howling; so it was probable the first four tests would lie drawn.

Warner referred to Hamilton as the most promising batsman and beautiful field. After his success in the West Indies. Warner said he thought Hammond might look forward to highor honours.

"Warner said he considered the selection committee’** difficulties so compi ex that he felt prayers should be in el tided for them in the hook of common prayer.