WELLINGTON MATCH

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28477, 6 January 1958, Page 8

WELLINGTON MATCH

Fine Stand By J. R. Reid

(New Zealand Press Association} WELLINGTON, January 5. Rain between lunch and afternoon tea on Saturday marred one of the most interesting Plunket Shield matches seen at the Basin Reserve for some seasons. It drove the crowd homewards jdst when J. R. Reid was fighting back magnificently amid a quickly crumbling Otago innings and thrilling the spectators with his old-time devastating shots off the front foot. About three hours' play was lost. The crowd, which promised to be one of the biggest for years, dwindled to a mere handful when play was resumed at 4.45 p.m. They saw Otago dismissed for 140 and Wellington score 36 for one to lead by 176 runs with nine wickets in hand and one day left. The early attendance was good, receipts being £332, bringing the total for two days to £654. Reid's was not the only notable effort. R. W. Blair gave another display of hostile bowling with better control than hitherto, and there was some splendid catching. L. A. Clark leapt high to dismiss G. H. Mills at second slip off Blair, and L. C. Butler recalled a great catch by V. J. Scott against Australia in 1946 when he chased a lofted shot by Reid for about 30 yards. Running backwards, he judged the catch to perfection to hold the ball inches from the ground. Reid and Blair Reid and Blair were the outstanding figures. Reid once again emphasised how satisfying cricket can be when a batsman not only has the ability to hold out against good bowling but can pick the loose ball and thrash it. Reid was in for 38 minutes before scoring, then ran up 50 in 49 minutes. He batted for 116 minutes, hitting two sixes and 10 fours. B. Sutcliffe caused a surprise by flicking at a rising off ball from Blair and was caught at second slip. He was shaping quite confidently. The veteran, K Moir, valiantly held on while Reid scored. Moir was run out just before lunch, a brilliant throw in from the outfield by A. H Preston hitting the stumps. Blair’s bowling was always purposeful. and B. D. Morrison's was better than his figures suggest. He worried the batsmen more than both the Otago openers. Cameron and Frame. Clark was again a valuable . change bowler.