WHAT REPS. ARE DOING

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 12

WHAT REPS. ARE DOING

Battle Is Not Always To Swift In Plunket Cricket

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Representative.) THE Plimket Shield match between Wellington and Canterbury commenced under conditions which were all in favor of bright cricket. Canterbury started ofl: with the luck against them, J. Newman, the Hampshire professional coach, being unable to par-* ticipate in the game owing to sudden illness.

/CONSIDERING the fine showing \^ Canterbury made when opposed

Girr just 106 minutes to gain his total and in doing so hit 15 fours.

to Otago, their batting display in the first innings here, was disappointing-. Play generally, was drawn out and this always tends to kill public interest.

The visitors were. at the wickets for 260 minutes, during which time they scored a total of 251 runs.

The opening batsmen, Hamilton and Gregory, were particularly careful, but thoir partnership produced 92 runs. This \v;is an excellent start and, as most of the bowlers had been tried, it wus expected the visitors would set Wellington a big task.

Hamilton, in compiling 77 in 145 minutes, played some attractive shots all around the wicket.

Gregory was at the crease for an hour and three-quarters. In his total of 44 he notched a few fours, but he appeared to be too set on keeping his end up to permit Hamilton to attend to the scoring. Merritt, 20, was batting soundly when misfortune came his way and he was run out. His wicket was foolishly thrown away in attempting a second impossible run. Other batsmen to gain double figures were Evans 20, Read 28, McEwin not out 17, Roberts 13 and Nixon 10. Captain Page was given out leg before with a duck to his credit.

The visit of the Canterbury men to the wicket lacked determination and freedom of action. Beyond Hamilton, not one man displayed a desire to go for the bowling, with the result that play was drab and the grand total mediocre.

Captain Brice varied his attack with judgment, for at no time did he permit the batsmen to get the strength of the bowlers. Lambert came through with most Wickets, 3 for 43. Lowry took two for 15, Badcock 1 for 28, McGirr 1 for 42, Massey 0 for 32, and Bernau 0 for 34. The work of the Wellington men in the field added to Canterbury's difficulty in obtaining runs.

Dempster and Foley were entrusted with the opening of. Wellington's innings. Dempster faced the bowling of Read and from the first delivery cut the ball for one. It was soon evident that the local side were the masters of the position. Dempster, although not displaying his usual brilliancy, knocked up 43 before falling to a good ball sent down by Read. Poley went out l.b.w. to Merritt after carefully reaching 18.

The feature of the match was the brilliant 122 compiled by MeGirr. Treating all the bowlers alike, he brought into the play the enthusiasm which makes the pubffo enjoy the game. It took Mo-

Lowry, who made 81, was always solid. His partnership with James, who made 53, was really responsible for taking out whatever sting there may have been in Canterbury's bowling.

Lambert shaped well in making 31 and he was another who fell a victim to the unsatisfactory l.b.w. Brice made 17 and Massey carWed his bat for 12. The local team gave an all-round refreshing display and eventually won the match by five wickets. In compiling a total of 405, they took only 294 minutes. There was no unnecessary digging in. Merritt had his bowling average ruined by the very indifferent work of his mates in the field. He bagged four for 133, nevertheless. The catching of the Canterbury men was extremely weak and their fielding generally, below senior standard. Merritt must have felt hurt when seeing catch after catch dropped from his bowling. Read did very well to take up two wickets for 104 considering he was bowling against a stiff northerly witid. Nixon took 2 for 61 and McGirr 2 for 60. With a deficit of 154 on the first innings, Canterbury again opened with Hamilton and Gregory. Gregory set out in earnest to play correct cricket, but it took him two hours to reach 58. Hayes, in impressive style, brought his score to 43 when MoGirr sent down a fast ball which bounced and caught Hayes a nasty smack on the fingers. He had to retire for medical attention. Page did not strfke form with the bat. The Canterbury man is a stylish batsman and it is a great pity that he was not seen at his best. His handling of the team in the field suffered somewhat in comparison with the manner in which Brice led his men. Page Is a fine fieldsman himself, but his good example was apparently lost on his men, who with few exceptions, were sluggish. This test of strength between the two provinces has emphasized the fact that New Zealand is sadly m need of bowlers. Merritt is a promising lad and there are others who are average. Yet we have no bowler in New Zealand w>bd would trouble batsmen of the Ponsford, Woodfull, Kippex type. The Do- | minion is without a really fast bowler. 1 It is this weakness that will be mostly! in evidence when the Australian teamJ is touring ttie country !»-» tew vrtmkrM

the bat,

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