AUCKLAND’S FIGHTING FINISH

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 266, 31 January 1928, Page 13

AUCKLAND’S FIGHTING FINISH

PLUNKET SHIELD DEBACLE REDEEMED DACRE GOES OUT IN BLAZE OF BRILLIANCE FACED with the hopeless task of scoring 735 for a fourth innings, Auckland nevertheless made a spectacular recovery from its earlier collapse, and finished up the match with a second innings total of 458, one of the biggest scores ever registered in the fourth innings of a match. Dacre and Bowley compiled brilliant centuries.

(Special to THE SITS.) WELLINGTON, Monday. 4UCKL.ANU had to hand over the \ plunitet Shield to-day, but some de- , M are more glorious than victories, ‘ntl the Auckland batsman to-day made ! lighting finish which went far to rei.om their dire failure in the first inning*- , _ vfter the week-end rest, there was an air of determination about - Bowley a nd Mills as they strode to the wickets m open tlie second knock which was entirely lacking on Saturday. - Tt was Vreat stand the pair made in putting oD °ll4 for the first wicket. The pitch had worn a trifle and some balk* reared ' up in disconcerting fashion, necessitating constant vigilance. To set 735 in the fourth innings of a match was a man’s job, but the sturdy Sussex man and the graceful Kden left-hander quitted themselves like men. The sympathy of the crowd was with the “bottom dogs,” and there was genera! satisfaction as the opening pair pursued the even tenor of their run-getting way.

MILLS BRILLIANT Bowley did the bulk of the scoring, driving confidently, cutting with snap and hooking with power. Mills gave about the best display be has ever shown at the Basin Reserve. Warm applause greeted the hoisting of the century, with both men going strongly and well. The first wicket fell at 114, when Mills, in playing forwa'rd to one from Lambert, lost sight of the leather and was bowled. Mills is unquestionably the Lionel Palairet of New Zealand cricket. He is grace personified. His 44 to-day was a very sound knock. It was a slice of bad luck for Auckland that Anthony was thrown out after scoring sej/en in resolute fashion. Ho lost trace of the ball and dashed up the pitch, and Lambert threw the wicket down before he could get back. Anthony might have saved his wicket had he slid his bat before him. Cooper assisted Bowley to add 67 for the third wicket. The colt claimed 32 of them, but he did not play good cricket, as lie made several “if” shots, which luckily fell in the open spaces, lie threw hi© wicket by jumping out to holey, and missing the ball by. inches, James doing the rest. James also collected Player’s scalp, the North J->hore left-hander over-reaching himself in playing far forward to one from Brice, and being smartly stumped by James, while in a praying attitude with his toe on the line. BOWLEY’S DETERMINED DISPLAY Bowley reached his century in 160 minutes, playing with bulldog British resolution all the while. He had bad luck in the end, as a ball from Brice cocked up on a worn spot and went softly into the hands of Massey close m at forward short leg. Bowley was at the wickets for 171 minutes and found the boundary fifteen times. His was a sterling, fighting effort. PRESENTATION TO DACRE There was a pleasing little ceremony during the luncheon hour, Mr. C. G. Wilson, chairman of the Management Committee of the Wellington Cricket Association, on behalf of Wellington cricketers and supporters of the game, presenting C. C. Dacre with a gold wristlet watch on the eve of his departure for England. Mr. Wilson, W. S. Brice (captain of the Wellington team) and T. C. Lowry, who led the New Zealand team on the English tour, all testified to the signal services Dacre had rendered New Zealand cricket. They declared it was an honour to New Zealand that Dacre had been selected to play for the Gloucestershire County team, and all hoped he would return to show New Zealanders how the game ought to be played. "Cee” Dacre” is not an orator, but he showed his gratitude by going out on to the field this afternoon and delighting the spectators with as’ breezy a display of hitting as one could desire to see. It was Dacresque. He early played forward to one from Massey, and it sailed over the fence at long-off on to Kent Terrace. It was •~by~no means wild slogging, but a display of finished cricket by a master batsman. After smiting a sixer to long-on, the next ball was sent speeding down the gully to the track, and the following one rattled up against the fence at square-leg. WHIRLWIND SCORING The Auckland captain hit 14 off one over from McCirr, and the Wellington captain hurriedly took the Hutt man off. Dacre reached his centnry in 78 minutes, and ran to 145 in 102 minutes. In all he hit three sixers and 19 fourers in his glorious swan song to Plunket Shield cricket. Hendy, the United man, ricked a muscle while running between wickets anti had .to retire after scoring 18. This was another proof that New Zealand cricketers do not train sufficiently to stand four days’ strenuous play. Hendy resumed his innings with Matheson to run for him, and reached 38, He is the makings of a really good batsman, as he is not overawed by the reputation of the bowlers he meets. AUCKLAND’S TRUE FORM G. Weir and Rowntree also batted breezily toward the close of the inwings. A score of 458 was a sterling total put up in the fourth innings of the match. It revealed Auckland's true batting form and went far to redeem the inexplicable collapse in the first knock on Saturday. The Wellington bowling was severely clouted, Brice and Badcock being the only trundlers to come out with creditable figures. Brice is always dangerous pn a worn wicket, and his off-breaks took some playing to-day. There was some talk in the city this evening that it was intended to cable to the Gloucester County Cricket Club, asking if Dacre could remain to play against the Australians and proceed to England in the same steamer as Bowley. Details: WELLINGTON. First Innings .. ... .. 595 Second Innings w M . 260 AUCKLAND. First Innings r 4. .. •• .. 121 Second Innings. BOWLEY, c Massey, b Brice .. .. .. 120 MILLS, b Lambert .. 44 ANTHONY, run out 6 COOPER, st. James, b Foley .. .. 32. PLAYER, st. James, b Brice 9 HENDY, c Lowry, b Badcock .. .. 38 DACRE. c Lambert, b Badcock .. . „ 145 A. WEIR, c Lamber, b Brice 0 G. L. WEIR, c Foley, b Brice 23 ROUNTREE, not out 25 MATHESON, c Lowry, b Badcock .. 0 Extras 16 Total .. 45S Fall of wickets: 114, 123, 199, 199, 220, 269. 400, 413, 457, 457. Bowling: McGirr, 0-57: Massey, 0-37; Badcock. 3-S9: Brice, 4-130; Lambert, 1-25; Lowry, 0-63; Taylor, 0-3; Dempster. 0-6: Foley, 1-31.