WELLINGTON V. OTAGO.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 308, 29 December 1926, Page 9

WELLINGTON V. OTAGO.

SOUTHERNERS ALL OUT, 207. HOLDERS' POSITION IMPREGNABLE (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Plunket Shield match, Otago v. Wellington, was resumed to-day in splendid weather. In the first innings Wellington had made 445, to which Otago replied with 207. In their second innings Wellington had lost four wickets for 103 when stumps were drawn for the day. Green and Knight, who. had opened Otago's first innings yesterday, resumed to the bowling of Briee and Badcock. The batsmen took no liberties facing Badcock, but Knight showed temporary enterprise by late-cutting Badcock for tiiree. When the total was 19 Kortlang, clo-e in. sent Green back with a splendid one-handed catch. Blunt came to the wicket and opened in attractive style by cutting Badcock for a well-run three. He followed this up by some finished strokes at Brice's expense, and sent the total along in great style. 40 being quickly readied. Blunt was responsible for practically all the scoring. Brice tried a change of bowlers, bringing on McGirr and Hollings. Blunt, batting very attractively, hoisted the half century by prettily square-cutting McGirr. Hollings' appearance at the northern end had been welcomed by Blunt, and Brice brought Badcock back with, the total at G9. Rlunt took no chances with Badcock. and, after getting the boundary by a fine shot, edged a ball through the slips to Kortlang, 77—2— 4."). Knight's Marathon. Shepherd joined Knight, but fell to a shot similar to that which brought about Blum's downfall, this time McGirr bringing off the catch. Otago had not made a very promising start, three wickets being down for 87. Lambert had been given the ball in place of McGirr. Alloo. the newcomer, was very shaky and Knight resolutely refused to fall into Badcock's trap. Smart fielding by Dempster provided an excellent opportunity of running Alloo out. but the chance was lost. Then a change of pace by Lambert beat Alloo. 92 —4 —5. Blamires came to the wickets, and when Hiddleston replaced Badcock Blamires relieved the monotony by hitting hard for two. At the adjournment the total was 107. Knight having been at the wickets for two hours for 20.

] Otagans 241 Behind. ! McGirr sent out the first over after i lunch and Blamires placed one nicely for I a single. Then he snicked Badcock through the slips for three. Facing McGirr j Blamires played forward to a ball that ; turned and was clean bowled. 122—5— , 17. H. C. Alloo, the newcomer, attempted Ito pull a fast straight ball and was I bowled. Dickinson joined Knight and steady bowling and safe fielding kept both batsmen quiet until Knight got through the slips with a great late cut, the stroke realising four, all run out. McGirr had commanded great respect since luncheon and when the total was 141 Knight was out lbw. Jherry joined Dickinson, who was shaping attractively. Badcock's return in place of Hollings brought about Cherry's dismissal. McGirr, at the southern end, bowled Zimmerman, and nine wickets were down for 181. Torrance, the last man. scored a few. but Brice held a catch at mid-on off Badcock and the innings closed for 207. Dickinson remained undefeated with 30 to his credit. Wellingtonians Bat Again. Worker and Hiddlestou op>ned Wellington's second innings, and when stumps were drawn four wickets were down for 103. leaving the Plunket Shield holders 344 on with six wickets to fall. TO-DAY'S PLAY. WELLINGTON AT THE WICKETS. ißy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The weather was fine for the resumption of the Plunket Shield match, Wellington v. Otago. With four down for 103, Wellington resumed its second innings, Lowry (35) and Lambert (15) going to the crease. Biunt opened the attack, Torrance bowling from the other end. Lambert reached 20 with a nice stroke to the boundary, but shortly after he popped one up and Blunt took a good catch off his own bowling. 118—3—25. McGirr was next and opened brightly with a boundary off Blunt. Lowry continued to bat attractively-and sent Torranee hard to the fence. A little later, however, he endeavoured to pull a straight one from Torrance and his stumps were skittled. 128—G—44. Hollings came next and opened with a couple off Blunt. He followed up with a boundary off a full toss from the same bowler. With the total at 142, McGirr went for a hit off Torrance, but he gave H. C. Alloo an easy catch. 142—7—11. Hollingts did not last much longer being clean bowled by Alloo —169—8—23. Badcock was next and, with James, began to paste the bowling, the score jumping to 200 in quick time, despite bowling changes. At 206. Blunt replaced Alloo and this bowler had a steady effect. The batsmen continued to be free with Dickinson, Badcock reachintr 20 with a nice drive to the boundary. Green missed stumping James off Blunt. A Bright Partnership. Badcock went for Blunt, pulling him twice to the fence. These strokes gave Badcock 30. The Wellington tail was wagging furiously. At 229 Blamires took the ball, James pulling him to the leg boundary. Another boundary gave James 40. The bright partnership came to an end when Badcock stepped out to Blunt and was stumped—241 —«J —35. Brice was next, and Janice reached s') with a boundary off Blunt. Torrance took an over from Blamires and Brice contented himself by holding his wicket up. Alloo relieved Blunt. James continued to bat attractively and reached the GO mark. Brice meanwhile playing rook, an unusual role for him. At 271. Zimmerman came on in place of Alloo. At the luncheon adjournment, the scores were: — OTAGO. First Innings 207 WELLINGTON. First Innings 44S Second Innings. Hiddlestou, c and b Alloo 21 Worker, c Green, b Alloo 25 Kortlang. c Blamires, b Alloo 0 Dempster, b Blunt 0 Lowry, b Torrance 44 Lambert, c and b Blunt 25 McGirr, c and b Alloo (i Hollings, b Alloo '. 23 •Tames, not out 09 Badcock. st Green, b Blunt 35 Brice. not out 30 Extras 17 Total for nine wickets 281