CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1931, Page 5

CRICKET

PLUNKET SHIELD.

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. January 23

Alter a poor start, Auckland retrieved the:r position considerably in tiie Blanket Shield match against Wellington. which opened at Eden Park yesterday. T lie first wicket fell cheap. I,', mid alter a good second wicker partnership between A. ,J. Bostics am, H G. \ ivian, the home batting slumped badl.v. Six wickets were down for lb!), and then G. L. Weir and A. Al. Matheson were associated in a grand partnership, which saved the game for Auckland. After .Matheson’s dismissal, Cl ever ley played “rock” for an non, " bile Weir attacked the bowling, and the score wits 'taken to 2l), bo 1 ore the innings closed.

Features of the day’s play -were Weirs great lighting innings for 122; good displays by Bostics and Matin KOI * lor 6!) and 54 respectively; the flanless defence of Cleverlev during the ninth wicket, partnership with Weir, and tiie astute generalshin of T. C. Lowry, the AVeiliiigtoii captain. When A f loot I; won the toss he lind no hesitation in deciding to hat. Several oi the Auckland batsmen got themselves out, lnit Lowry made the most of the howling talent at his disposal. Throughout the day lie persevered with the policy of rapid changes, which was certainly justified hv results. Blundell and Massey appeared Wellington’s most dangerous howlers, but Newman, of whom much was expected, was steady hut not unduly difficult. The Wellington fielding was keep, and only one catch was dropped. James behind the‘wickets was not at iiis host, and missed several stumping chances, in addition to allowing a number of byes, (scores: AUCKLANI)—-First Innings. J. E. Mills, e. Crook, h Massey ... 1 A. J. Bustles, I) Lambert 59 H. G. Vivian, c Massey. 1> MeGirr 24 G. L Weir. e Blundell, b Lambert 122 A. H. Anthony, b Lambert 2 C. F. AY. Allcott. b Newman 0 A. F. Wensle.v. b Blundell 8 A. Af. Matheson, c AlcGirr. b Blundell o 4 C. G. Finlayson, e and b Massey ... 17 T). Cleverlev. b Blundell 3 H. Hunt, not out 23 Total 207 Bowling analysis:—Blundell 3 for 69, Massey 2 for 25, Crook none for 31, MeGirr 1 for 40, Lambert 3 for 72, Newman 1 for 37. WELLINGTON- First Innings. C. S. Dempster, not out 4 i). Cameron, not out 1

Total for mi wickets 6 - y OTAGO AND CANTERBURY. DUNEDIN, January 23. The Blanket Shield match, Otago v. Canterbury, commenced here to-day in fine weather. Canterbury batted first, and made 228 runs. Otago had seven wickets dyn for -18 when stumps were drawn. Scores: (' AX T F/l 1B CR Y— F i t\s t Innings. J. L. Kerr, b Cameron 41 l. M. Hamilton, h Dickinson ... 24 Roberts, e and h Blunt 4 Talbot, e Maloney, l> Dickinson ... 4 M. L. Page, 1.b.w.. b Dickinson ... 10 1. P). Crumb, e Shepherd, b Dickinson 59 -J. Jacobs, 1.b.w.. b Blunt 2 S. G. Lester, c Dickinson, b Dunning 41 W. E. Merritt, b Dickinson 2 X Doreen, not out 18 R. Read, b Dickinson 2 Extras IS Total 22S Bowling analysis:—G R. Dickinson 6 for 45, F. T. Badcock 0 for 17, J. A. Dunning 1 for 28. R. C. Blunt 2 for 63, F. AY. Coupland 0 for 8. D. Cameron 1 for 20, I). A. R. Maloney 0 for 2u.

OTA G(>—F irs t Innings. J Shepherd, 1.b.w., b Talbot ... 3 R. Cherry, c Hamilton, b Talbot ... 1 R„ C. Blunt, c Doreen, b Read ... 6 1). A. R. Maloney, b Merritt ... 2 J. Dunning, b Crumb 18 I). Cameron, b .Merritt, 6 Y. G. Cavanagh. not out 6 F. T. Badcock, 1.b.w.. h Merritt ... 0 G. R Dickinson, not out 1 Extras ••• 5 Total for 7 wickets 48 Bowling analysis-Read 1 Inr 20. U. O. Talbot 2 for 9. A\ . E. Merritt a for 6, 1. B. Cromb 1 for 8.