PLUNKET CRICKET

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 257, 20 January 1928, Page 13

PLUNKET CRICKET

WELLINGTON V. OTAGO SOUTHERN TEAMS POOR START Press Association. DUNEDIN, To-day. The Plunket Shield cricket match, Wellington v. Otago, commenced in dull but fine weather to-day. The wicket, having been baked by several days* sunshine, was well nigh perfect, the outfield being in excelent condition. Blunt, the Otago skipper, won the toss, Knight and Cherry being the opening batsmen. McGirr commenced trundling to Cherry. The Otago batsmen opened cautiously, treating both McGirr and Massey wiih respect. McGirr was bowling dead on the wicket, getting considerable pace intq his deliveries, and keeping a good length. Massey, with two men close up at square-ieg, was swinging away with balls which puzzled the batsmen. Before the game was long in progress McGirr clean-bowled Cherry. B—l—7.*

McMullan came in next, and shaped well by scoring the first boundary wiih a beautiful cut Eventually, however, he cocked McGirr up toward Lambert, who raced forward tq take a good catch. 20—2—6. Badcock relieved Massey at the tavilion end, and secured a maiden over.

Blunt, who received an ovation, opened with customary coolness, and Otago's hopes began to soar. McGirr's pace seemed to increase as the game went on, and he kept both batsmen very much subdued. Badcock also bowled in a manner which kept them thinking, and the scoring became very slow. Knight won applause by flicking McGirr nicely to the boundary. Blunt also brightened matters considerably by squarecutting McGirr crisply to the grandstand pickets, and an overthrow by Badcock brought three more runs to Otago's credit. Blunt now commenced to lay on the wood. At 12.50 Knight was bowled bv McGirr, Cavanegh going in next.

The score was then three wicket's for 51.

Cavanagh commenced confidently on facing Badcock, and Blunt won plaudits with an exhilarating three, the result of nice placing. He backed it up with a fast pull toward the pickets at the grandstand, which gave Lowry no chance. If the Wellington fielding had not been sound Blunt would have scored many well placed singles and twos. McGirr was relieved by Lambert, who, after opening in erratic fashion, found his length. Blunt delighted the crowd with all round, the wicket strokes, the crowd expressing dismay when he was smartly caught by Donoghue after miss-timing a pull to leg. 774 —43.

With Galland came disaster, for as a result of his call for a single Cavanagh was run out. 77—5—4. Dickinson, partnered by Galland. took the score to the century, both batsmen opening up their shoulders to the bowling. Then Dickinson lost his wicket, being smartly taken by James behind the wickets. 110 —6—9.

Vorrath did not last long, being caught at mid-off by Lamison, off Brice, who had’ relieved Badcock. At the lunch adjournment the score was 113 for seven wickets. Details are: CHERRY, b McGirr 7 KNIGHT, b McGirr li McMULLAN. c Lambert, b McGirr .. 6 BLUNT, c Donoghue. b Badcock .. 43 CAVANAGH. run out 4 GALLAND. not out 23 DICKINSON, c .Tames, b McGirr .. :» VORRATH. c Lamison, b Brice .... O ELATES, not out ] Extras o Total for seven wickets.. .. 113 A GOOD OMEN? i MR. F. HAWKE TO MANAGE HAWKE CUP TEAM WAIKATO V. WHANGAREI (Special.to THE SUN.) HAMILTON, To-day. The Waikato Cricket Association has accepted the offer of dates, January 27, 28 and 30, for the Hawke Cup challenge match with the holders at Wanganui, and has decided to donate £25 toward the players’ expenses. Mr. F. Hawke was appointed manager of the Waikato team.