CRICKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1939, Page 6

CRICKET

PLUNKET SHIELD.

WELLINGTON v. AUCKLAND. 4

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The third day's play in the Plunket Shield cricket match'between Auckland and Wellington at the Basin Reserve yesterday swung the game in Auckland’s favour. With nine wickets down for 254, Cowie and Cleverley made a spirited stand for Auckland’s last wicket, carrying the total to 276 before Cowie was bowled by Pritchard. Pritchard again bowled splendidly for Wellington, securing six wickets for 66 runs, which gave him 10 wickets for 111 runs for the match. Ashendgn also bowled well in taking four for 83. Wellington were faced with the task of making 247 runs to win, but found the going hard. So well did Cowie, Matheson, Cleverley and Weir bowl that only 51 runs were scored in 80 minutes before lunch. A good stand by Hepburn and Tindill put on 67 for the second wicket, Hepburn reaching 55 and Tindill 29. The Auckland bowlers then called the tune, ana at the tea adjournment sevlen Wickets were down for about 140 run.s Shortly after the resumption of play a heavy shower delayed play till 5.24 p.m. The rain rendered the wicket dead easy, and made foothold insecure and the ball greasy. When stumps were drawn at 6 o’clock, Wellingtonhad seven wickets down for 163 runs, Wilson and McLeod having put on 35 for the eighth wicket. There should be an exciting finish when play is resumed at 11 o’clock this morning, as Wellington still requires 84 runs to win with three wickets in hand. WIN FOR WELLINGTON. RAIN PUTS END TO PLAY. WELLINGTON, This Day. Rain which began in showers yesterday afternoon developed into a . continuous downpour which continued throughout the night. At times it was very heavy and is still coming down heavily. There is no prospect of the Plunket Shield match, Auckland v. Wellington, being resumed. The players went to the ground at 11 o’clock to collect theii gear and Wellington win on the first innings. The Auckland team will leave on the three o'clock train for Auckland. MR F. G. MAUNSELL’S BATS. WON BY SALE AND WEIR. WELLINGTON, This Day. The bats presented by Mi’ F. G. Maunsell, of Masterton, for the best batting and bowling performances by the Auckland players in the Welling-ton-Auckland match were won by Sale and Weir, respectively. OTAGO v CANTERBURY. HEAVY RAIN FALLING. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Heavy rain fell throughout the night, ; and continues today. This makes a continuation of the Canterbury-Otago Plunket Shield match appear to be im-» possible. If so Canterbury will win on the first innings. .