CRICKET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 439, 14 February 1912, Page 3

CRICKET.

The story of disaster recorded of Australian batting in the first innings of the second and third tests is to be repeated in the fourth. A first innings total to Australia of 191 followed by a great first wicket stand by England, places the issue beyond doubt unless a miracle intervenes. A batting recovery by the colonials is always a possibility, but the English players seem to have no difficulty in negotiating the Australian bowling, and they can be relied upon for a substantial total in each innings. The Plunket Shield match between Canterbury and Auckland at Christchurch to be postponed from Friday till Saturday on account of weather. Canterbury's first innings total r.f S3 made matters very promising for the northern players and a substantial first innings total resulted. The Auckland bowlers, Cliff and Thompson, trundled with deadly effect on a wicket which must have been somewhat sodden, and Reese, for Canterbury, also put up a fine bowling prefornianca. The only Auckland batsmen to do much execution were Snedden 7(5 and Ilemus MO, and to this pair must be given the credit of stemming a rot. The Ohura cricketers will probably visit Te Kuiti cn Saturday the 24th, and a good game is anticipated. The local players are putting in a fair amount of net practice, but the wicket will require further attention.